Mach3 vs LinuxCNC/EMC What do you use and why?

[JAZZCNC]

This is a No win contest.! The linux guys will always insist linux is best and the Windows brigade will do the same.

Now the problem I see with changing for Windows users, and esp new CNC users is not the Working of EMC or Linux cnc what ever it's called but the whole package.?

Getting a CNC machine to work has a whole needs CAD,CAM and Controller and here lies the problem to me. I personally don't know of any of the top well known or even industry standard Cam packages that work direct in Linux. So not being a linux user I suspect that some windows emulation happens some where down the line and this requires a certain amount of Geek-ness to make happen.
I'm sure there will be Linux based Cam packages but a quick google and flip thru the linux CNC forum and thread asking about available Cam software showed me it's not straight forward.
just read the comments on the provided link regards whats needed to make the suggested Cam programs work and then note the lack of reply's.( And it's had 2yrs to mature.!) This says it all to me.

http://www.linuxcnc.org/index.php/en...ware-for-linux

Call it what you like but it aint straight forward and requires more technical knowledge of the OS or a variant of several OS's than should be needed to work a CNC machine straight out the box. Windows while flawed does work out the box and even the newest of users can access it and the now plentiful available software without to much trouble.
A perfect example being Just the other week I learnt a 72yr old gent with virtually no experience of computers other than using the internet how to install, load and use both Cad,Cam (BobCad Cam) and Mach then in the space of a week he'd created his first basic part. (He even understands the basic inner workings of setting mach up IE tuning I know of seasoned Linux users who struggled with that in EMC.!)
If that had been Linux he'd have had no chance and still be struggling to install the Cad/cam software because he wouldn't now where find any and if he did he wouldn't know how to load the OS or even which version or flavor that runs the emulator that loads windows based program then reload the OS that runs the control software.

Call linux and it's users what you like but it's not simple and they generally do need to be accomplished pewter users or familiar with Several OS Versions or flavors to achieve a task like installing and using all thats needed to work a CNC machine from Idea to finished part.!!

Happy new year.!! (And where all GEEKS by the fact where reading and writing this Crap. !!)

Edit: Just spotted Cambam works in Linux so that's 1 entry level package. That comes with a BIG warning and loads of technical babble just read the thread and post #3 here if you think Linux is not Geeky http://www.cambam.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2440.0 )