>As the Open Source movement is trying to push Linux more mainstream and onto the desktop, this is a very bad marketing ploy. A
very small percentage of the potential market (ie all computer users) really want this feature. It's like a car manufacturer shouting that they have the newest widget on their car when only 2-3% of all car buyers really care.
Of course they are trying to push Linux into the mainstream, especially with desktops. Why wouldn't they? Don't you think a polished Linux that even a novice computer user can install sucessfully as a desktop alternative to Windows would be a GoodThing(tm)?
How many features in Word, Excel and Powerpoint do you use every day? Don't you like having those features you don't use often or at all available for those times when you do want to use them?
Linux isn't for everyone, nor is Windows. Having access to both and having them be competitive is great for everyong, in my opinion.
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Single field, surrogate primary keys....because it's sexier!
Third normal form is more than just a good idea.