This bug is really critical in Canada too.

Here's my opinion about major problems that causes this bug to exist ( this is a bit long ).

There's 2 aspects to fix around this bug

1. The technical aspects ( making Ubuntu a better system which will be far more than just usable)
2. The " people " aspects ( or how to bring Ubuntu to the public, a very hard step )

Technical aspects have a very great evolution. But it isn't flawless :

1. Linux is fragmented. On a side, we have a hegemonic Microsoft which is all-in-one and the only one, in the other side we have Linux, fragmented over thousands of distributions. I think that Ubuntu should invite the OpenSource world to work in team and not in all separate projects, each point of view is good, we just need to find a way to fusion all ideas. This could lead to a thunder-evolution of Linux and avoid tons of wasted work. For an exemple, KDE and Gnome have too great way to abord the Desktop environment, why these teams don't work together to give to user more choice in a all-in-one Desktop solution. It would be pretty much better than "take one ot take the other". Combine the qualities! It's the same idea for some functionnalities that are missing in Linux Ubuntu ( example : Fax functionnalities ).

2. Compatibility. Linux Ubuntu is a great step to a Linux which is compatible with a lot of hardware, but it's still not sufficient for some configuration. We need to ask brands like Brother, AMD, nvidia to cooperate and show them that Linux isn't a rare system, it's the future and the future is there! We should not have any doubts on the power of OpenSource software, we know that it can lead computer to another level!

People aspects is a step which have a big work to do on it :

1. What is Linux? Majority of people will don't even know that Microsoft is a software and that something else exist. Linux is not know or is just " a complicate OS " for people. This aspect can be fixed in too ways. We should take the time to speak and show Linux to people. This will have a long time impact if people like it and keeps showing Linux to their friends, family. Big Linux advantages ( like security and absence of viruses ) can be very interesting for people once they know it! Another important point is to make Linux Ubuntu informations webpages, online groups, etc. very available over Internet. It should be very easy to undersand in two click What is Linux Ubuntu ! ubuntu-fr.org is a good example of user-friendly webpage which gives a lot of information to the final user! It should be pretty much easier to understand that Linux can be a Microsoft Windows alternative with a lot of advantages. Easy to use and understand ressources should be available on Internet to help people with what they want to do.

I give technical support to people at home. When I see a situation where Linux Ubuntu could be interesting for my customers, I take the time to show them the OS, give them informations and documentations as they can make very clear choices about their computers and know what they do. This makes people very happy to have Linux Ubuntu when they take this decision and they generally don't want to use Microsoft anymore.

2. Publicity. People will be curious around Linux if they see it! If people don't see Ubuntu on stores, publicities, etc. They will be more " closed "  about it. For an example, if Dell would show more widely Dell with Linux Ubuntu systems, this would make an incredible publicity. " What? This is not Microsoft XP or Mac OS? So what is this? Is that a new powerful invention? " People will become curious about Linux Ubuntu. More Linux Ubuntu will be shown, more people will want it and more companies will offer it! The popularity of Linux Ubuntu will depends of the quality of the user interface ( attractive, powerful,  easy to use ), the functionnalities and the stability.

I will continue to show Linux Ubuntu to my customers and give support and documentation for them