Linux O/S

Linux is OK if your into the whole free source thing. But nothing on windows is compatiable, and there are next to no games on linux. Linux is mainly for server use. But some people like to use it for a personal OS.

It all really depends on what you want to do.

If you move to Linux you have to release something, most of the software that people use now days is for a Windows only system. There are some for Max and Linux, but Windows by far has a lot more stuff available for it.

If your looking into coding PHP with MySQL, or running a web server for PHP or something else that runs on Linux, then Linux would be a good choice

But if your into gaming, coding ASP (or other Microsoft languages) your going to need a Windows based system.

Like i said, it all really depends on what you want. I cant make up your mind for you. Just make sure you really put some thought and research into it before you just decide to jump into a Linux environment, it is quite different than Windows.

I took a Linux class at the local college where i live last term, and after taking it, i know a lot more about Linux than i did before. But I'm personally going to stay with Windows because there is a lot more support for it. Plus i have to play my computer games when i get bored 

Personally, I love Mandrake. The Enlightenment GUI kicks. I'd take it over Red Hat any day.

You can do some regular office productivity on Linux with things like Open Office, so it isn't completely useless for non-server use.

Star Office isn't free anymore, but it is still darn cheap compare to MS Office.

I suppose it's a matter of whether you want to spend an afternoon screwing around with Linux to make it do what you want it to do when you can get the same thing done on Windows in 5 minutes.

I think Linux is better for dedicated tasks where you have specific goals and requirements, but I wouldn't rely on it for everyday stuff. Open source is generally pretty bad compared to proprietary stuff when it comes to quality. I've had more crashes with Unix and Linux than with 'Windoze'.

Like MadDog said, it depends on what you want to do.

apache is skipped with most or all linux OSs i think..

its possible to install addons to the apache webserver.. like Chili!ASP or instant ASP, but if you want to code in ASP (or other microsoft languages) you really should use windows..