I am a Windows user most of the time, but I do have one machine with Linux on it. I do want to use Linux. I am technically savvy, and yet I still can't work out how to get/install wireless drivers for my Linux box. Bearing in mind this machine came with another version of Linux pre-installed, and that I know others have managed it. What is wrong here? Either I am stupid (possible), or lazy (probable) or the OS isn't helping me at all.
When I have a problem in Linux I go to Google and usually find the solution quickly. Many solutions are on the Linux support forums or the wiki. If you haven't studied Linux up a bit then yes, you will feel stupid. It's the same in any OS, you have to learn how to get around. Getting online with my broadband modem was one of the hardest things for me as I wasn't familiar with the shell prompts then, I was typing it all in by hand too, hehe. IIRC there's a legal reason which prevents them bundling this stuff with the OS.
Answer me a question, can Linux do everything the average user needs, without using the console?
When everything is installed (by somebody else) then yes the average user could use Linux without needing the console. I do use the terminal to connect/disconnect but I have executable prompt files (like batch files) so you can avoid typing commands that way.