I started fiddling around with Linux in 2002. It was a steep learning curve. But it's not NEARLY so hard now. Ubuntu forums, Google, even popular books are much easier to follow, written for the smart non-programmer.

I have a work computer running Ubuntu, exclusively, and a home computer running PCLinuxOS, exclusively. My son is a Mac addict, but even he admits that I manage to keep older equipment surprisingly modern, up to date, all for free. In the PC and Mac worlds, you pay for everything!