Some time ago (2004) I became a tad fed up with Windows constantly falling over on my network.  The operating system at the core of operations just wasn't up to it.   Printers won't print, drive volumes not seen, volumes not shared, etc.   So I decided then to "break free" of Windows & use another operating system altogether, and have a contingency strategy when the whole show just doesn't work.   I had dabbled with Linux some years ago ('97-'01), and now that the distributions were maturing, had a look around for something which would work reliably & was easy to install.  Basically I wanted no hassle &  fully up & running asap.

To cut a long story short, after testing numerous Linux distributions, I ended up running Xandros Desktop Deluxe v.3.0 on a PC with AMD XP 2800 CPU, 512Mb RAM, nVidea GeForce 4 MX video, 80Gb HDD, DVD, DVDRW, USB ports.  The software platform has been migrated also  - with the intention of using as much cross-platform software as possible.  This is software which will run on a Windows PC, a Linux PC and also an Apple Mac.  I use Open Office 2, Firefox, Scribus (DTP) & the relevant equivalent KDE applications for anything else.  All working fine. 

REALLY - the only reason to keep using Windows is the essential accounting package, Quickbooks.  However, for corporate compatibility I still run XP Pro on my main laptop, lean & clean & tricked to look like an Apple  Mac ........  and I have WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE on the old server which was rescued from a life of commercial abuse in a solicitors office,  and subsequently renamed PHOENIX.

2009 Update  -  Nothing stands still and as of March 2009 I am still running Ubuntu on my mini-desktop PC, and several other Linux distributions on other PCs  - the common denominators are that these are all rescued PCs and cost ZILCH to build.   The UBUNTU installation is excellent and has KUBUNTU and XUBUNTU options for eye-candy and old PC compatibility.  If you consider your software requirements carefully I'll bet that you could also migrate to Linux.  Give me a call if you need convincing.......