Your starter pack could be a very good idea Mac.
All Apple computers come with X11 and all the libraries and tools to run X windows applications. I'm exploring the possibilities myself and welcome recommendations for stable programs that cover most peoples' needs.
There's a growing movement, initially at local government level, here in the UK to simply opt out of the software juggernauts' world and into open systems.
Interesting also that the latest worm appears (from some reports) to be directed at SCO. Many of you might be more familiar with them through the older names of Caldera and before that Santa Cruz.
Regards
Rob