Ths funniest part was yours too
I thought from the discussion it was established/understood from most people here that Windows is less hassle to the average user?
I'm not going to go into arguments and taking those arguments OT, I don't see the point. I'm not going to debate with you if you think Linux is less hassle, because obviously to you, it is!
What I think you're forgetting is that most people on these forums are in the top % of "Experienced I.T users" in comparison with the rest of the world. Then take into account that using whatever distro of Linux you use, puts you even further into the top %'s of our demographic. So I think you are so far from an average user you have forgotten how ridiculous and inane they are
From an average Joe point of view, you stick two computers (Win and Lin) infront of them and say "Install a sound card, Install "this" software and browse the web" most users would balk at the first two options, regardless of OS and then probably happily sit there and browse on the windows machine.
It's because the Windows OS is easier, more intuative and less hassle

That is how I see it anyway. (I know this has come from generations of MS dominance in the OS market and a multitide of other factors, but hey! thats life

)
Again, I would state that is an average, run of the mill, generalised opinion formed across the board. If we get more specifically into server side functions and business requirements, I think Linux is often the lesser hassle approach. Lightweight, reliable, no gubbins, etc.