I use Linux a lot – for programming mostly.
It’s capable of everything else too though.
I’ve been using Mandriva Linux (previously known as Mandrake) for a few years now. A pity, the thing just has not been getting better.
I always wonder, “Why are there so many different types/brands of linux?” (called distro’s, short for distributions).

Most people use Windows (XP). It’s a fact. Developers, office workers, you name it, they all use Microsoft Windows.
It’s not easy for them to exactly try something else.
Well, try this: Ubuntu Linux

How?
Go to the Ubuntu site and you can get a free copy to install (or test) on your computer for free.
They will send it to you free of charge too.
shipit.ubuntu.com
* If you are someone who likes to explore or play around with your computer, then this is a great way to start learning linux, etc.
* Scared of the black screen command line? Don’t worry, with the new Linux desktops out, you won’t even have to see one.
Comon, let’s stop using a hundred different (distrowatch.org) linux distributions, and start focusing on making one great and popular, Ubuntu!
Microsoft has a Windows fits all. Why can’t there be a free Operating System (OS) like that?
Ubuntu is free. Windows is not. Just by the way.
UPDATE: Even easier to try Ubuntu:
- Use a virtual machine – A program that runs a whole computer in a window. So you are in Windows, but you can switch to a window where Ubuntu is running and it thinks it’s its own computer. (Make it full screen, and you won’t even know it’s just a program in Windows.) Try VMWare or Virtual PC, both Free VM‘s
- Wubi, Install Ubuntu the easy way – No need to change your hard drive partitions either, install Ubuntu in windows as a program (into a folder). Then when you reboot, it’s an option to boot into Ubuntu. Here: wubi-installer.org
There’s plenty of help for Ubuntu users on the internet. And it’s really easy to get help should you want to find out how to do something!