Sadly the vast majority of Linux users are socially inept. (NOT ALL, I KNOW), and this figure is not so high with Windows.
When you are watching a film on someones Linux computer and the sound isn't working that night, you'll hear the word Alsa a thousand times, and most likely the person WILL not be able to function correctly (or even reply to your sentences, MUCH less leave the house and go down the pub), until it is fixed.
What? I thought you said you wanted a rant
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'>
o the things that people say you cannot:</span></span>