But for Linux users there's no joy again.

Since 1998, taxpayers in Australia have been able to file their returns online. Sorry, let me say that again: taxpayers who have access to, and use, Windows on any kind of PC have had this kind of facility since the aforementioned year.

Mac users have been able to do so if they have an emulator on their machines and a copy of Windows installed therein. That emulator only runs on Macs with a Motorola processor; the new line of Intel-based Macs cannot run the emulator. And the rest? Well, they can wade through the 100-odd pages of the tax book and use a black ballpoint pen. I believe a blue pen is acceptable as well.

In 1998, the tax office ran a pilot and the following year the use of the software was on a trial basis; there was no official announcement and everyone still got a tax pack at home until then. We have these bulky books dropped off at our residences every year - else the local newsagent will hand over one on request.

A couple of years later, the Australian Taxation Office took note of the regulars who were using the software and stopped sending them the tax packs - which led me to conclude that the software had by then proved its mettle, reduced the workload for the ATO and also proved to be a good base on which to proceed.

But what about the non-Window users?

I was a Windows user in 1998; by 1999 I was dual-booting Windows and Slackware. In August 2000 I left the dark side.

Like Oliver Twist, I believe in asking - not for more, but for my fair share. I began a correspondence with the ATO some years ago which you can see here . I must admit that, in my own naive fashion, I thought that I would have the support of Linux users.

When I tried to rally the troops, I found that I couldn't have been further off the mark. Apart from a studied silence, I also had advice from some telling me I was doing the wrong thing!!! It would all happen in the fulness of time, was the sage advice doled out to me.

However, I kept at it. I had a forum then as I do now and every year I asked the question - what about Linux users?