Found this today when I was doing some research and I must admit, I had to smile.

Accure-IT can build and install custom built workstations and servers for your home or office.

• Our technicians will setup the systems and make sure they are running properly
• Get you connected to the Internet
• Your choice of operating system. Microsoft Windows or even Linux

I fully believe that this is how various PC repair techs out there will manage to survive and even thrive with the onslaught from the likes of companies like Best Buy’s GeekSquad. They just need to support something BESIDES Windows only. Obviously, the Windows operating system is the bread and butter of many IT consulting businesses, however I would again point out that to ignore OS X and Linux will mean your competition will indeed, have an opportunity to surpass you.

Speaking for myself, if I was still in the repair game, I would certainly want to make sure that I had something outside of Windows alone just to differentiate myself from everyone else. This being said, Linux is not a good match for everyone. Yet to the shock of most people, I have found it works great for those who simply want the basics.

Could such a thing work? Can you truly plug in Ma and Pa Kettle into a Linux box only to see the problems cut in half? In truth, yes you can. The key is to match up the right OS for the right user. Gamers and those needing specialized Windows-only products are generally not going to be happy with VMWare to run their Windows apps. They will want things native. Yet at the same time, for those who simply cannot keep their PCs free from malware, I have personally seen a locked-down installation of Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS do wonders for cutting down on unneeded service calls. Then again, this is just me.