I've tried Linux a couple of times before. I first tried Ubuntu, but to be honest I really didn't get the chance to use it properly, and not too long ago I permanently installed openSUSE on a spare computer of mine. I first tried it with KDE (big mistake, I hated it) and then I switched to GNOME and my whole impression of Linux changed.
Appreciating the fact that Linux is open-source and free, it is a great OS for, say, what Howard says he uses his computer for. Whats the point in shelling out another £100-£200 for an operating system to just browse the web and do other everyday tasks when you can get one for free that is more than capable of performing your tasks with ease, with increased security. But then again if everyone started to follow this then obviously the security of Linux machines would decrease for obvious reasons, need I say?
After about a month, I switched back to Windows XP, not really because of Linux itself, more to do with the certain applications I needed to run, and it was easier to just reinstall Windows and install my applications immediately rather than look for half-baked alternatives. I also switched back because although i've heard so much hype on how Windows operating systems are sluggish, I found openSUSE to be even more sluggish than XP, even with all the graphical effects turned off, appropriate drivers installed, inapproriate serices terminated and unused applications uninstalled.
Since i've tried Windows, a bit of Linux and OSX I can honestly say my preference lies with Windows and always will be, but I am always willing to try new things when they come along
