Viable Linux Destop?

[umbrella dryspell]

i think it can be done. there will be certain advantages, and there will be certain sacrifices.

for me, the advantages are:

Linux is fun as a hobby, and the whole point of using computers at home, for me, is to have fun

Linux allows me to easily 'goof off' with things like PHP, Perl, mySQL without installing other programs/drivers.

the disadvantages:

the fact remains that my professional career is based around Windows. when I have to start working at home, or doing anything related to that profession, Windows has to be the OS I use

Internet use, in general, is a bit more cumbersome.

I've not found a Linux browser that handles the web as well as IE (altho I'm open to suggestions here).

I've not found a Linux email reader that I'm terribly happy with.


I suppose the nice thing is that you always <i>can</i> go back if you need to. I've seen people deal with problems in Linux simply out of spite of not wanting to use Windows, which just seems silly to me. My thought, basically, is this: use and abuse the best of each OS, whether it be UNIX, Linux, Win, Mac...whatever.

Of course, all that said, I <i>do</i> still want to kill Bill Gates...