You have to respect what the open source community has done with Linux. The Linux trademark owned by Linus Torvalds, has gained a lot of ground in terms of being a legitimate competitor for Microsoft. Many business are using Linux or "flavors" of Linux to run their database engines and business applications.
After having said that, I have to learn to use the Linux O.S. (Operating System) for my new position at a different company. For many years I had only used Windows on computers. In just one weekend I was able to learn quite a few basic shell commands. For Windows/DOS users that's equivalent to the command line in DOS. Yet, when I started delving into more complex operations, I had a bit of difficulty deciding which utilities and programs I should use. There are quite a few groups and companies on the Internet that offer their programs and it is overwhelming to a beginner to figure out which one will do the job for the least amount of money.
The argument that this brings up demonstrates how Microsoft has dominated the market. Because if someone is willing to shell out quite a bit for the Windows O.S. or use it because it is already installed when you purchase a new computer, you are willing to shell out a few more dollars for some decent applications or tools for that computer. On the flip side, if you want to download a free O.S. and you believe in the open source movement you are less likely to fork out a lot of money for the applications. Unless you are a big business that can afford to purchase an Enterprise Edition of Linux.
The average consumer will find that the will have to do a lot more research to find the applications and utilities they are looking for if they use Linux. This includes having to read the documentation for installing these items. Some installations are not as simple as double left-clicking on an executable (.exe). Where most installations for the Windows O.S. are just that simple.
However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being more particular and investigative when it comes to what you install on your computer. If you decide to go with Linux, you may find your standards for what is deemed as quality to have gone up. When many consumers have these sorts of standards and expectations this will force many vendors and developers to change their perspectives as far as what they are willing to release for public consumption.
Also, consider that Linux operating systems aren't targeted nearly as often as the Windows ones are by viruses. Another factor to consider is that crashes do not occur as often as they do with Windows machines and their blue screens which have been so suitably dubbed "The blue screens of death".
The user interface called X Windows allows the computer user who is accustomed to the Microsoft Windows interface to adapt to using Linux in a short amount of time. They are very similar. Windows Vista has adapted a very Mac-like approach with their new features. Many sites have already done a comparison between Microsoft's Vista and the Mac X O.S. And it is amazing to note how many similarities there are. It is important to note that Mac's O.S. is based on a Unix(BSD) operating system. Linux and Unix are similar in some of their basic commands and programs. And consider that Mac has been out for a while with their latest O.S. and Vista has been struggling to be released.
So, consider which type of user you are before deciding between the two. What do want to do with your work or home machine? How many dollars are you willing to shell out and how patient are you? If you want to keep using Microsoft's Windows then it may be appropriate for you to do so. But do keep in mind that Linux has caught up to Windows in many respects. And who knows, you may learn more about computing then you thought was possible with Windows.