Operating Systems:
Windows ("Windoze"!) has been steadily improving for the has several releases. I went from 95 to 98 and 98R2, stayed with that for ages and finally went to XP when it came with a new laptop.
I find XP is stable, and pretty good as long as you ignore the "sales talk" that says "designed for XP" when there's only 256Megs of RAM - yes it's fine, as long as you don't have a very demanding need! Should be at least 512Megs (I'm running with 1.3GB)
I once (twice actually) tried to load Linux on an old desk-top, and couldn't get that to work, so I'm very wary of trying to install it onto a laptop (drivers for screen, touchpad, power, etc) Linux still seems to be the "OS for Geeks" and, although I'm pretty competant with Windows, I'm not sure I have the time to learn all about the penguin!
My other concern for Linux is the software availability - I know many writers do releases for Linux, but I just know that some of the little apps that I use won't be available for Linux - even though it's supposed to be the OS that will save you having to upgrade to a bigger,faster computer every 2 or 3 years! It's just got to become more "user friendly" - If I could install Linux as easily as I can install Windoze and it's apps, then Bill Gates would get no more of my money (yes! I have licensed Windows!)