In August of 2015, my Windows 7 install took a dump.
I had just upgraded my girls laptop from 8.1 to 10 and was contemplating upgrading from 7 but after spending some time with both 8 and 10, just couldn't take all of the retardedness.
Enter Ubuntu 14.04
Long story short, I have had some casual user time with Linux (Ubuntu, Mint and Arch) and knew that I might have to give up some Windows programs I have gotten comfortable with through out the years.
Definitely not the case.
Music Creation
Windows (Before) – Ableton Live for writing, Reaper for mixing and mastering.
Ubuntu (Now) – Bitwig Studio (with VST's in .so or .dll format) for writing, Reaper (with Wine) for mixing and mastering.
___https://soundcloud.com/goodchild-music
___https://goodchild.bandcamp.com
Video Creation
Windows – Adobe Premire
Ubuntu – Kdenlive
Photo and Image
Windows – Adobe Photoshop
Ubuntu – Gimp and Krita
Gaming
I have never been a big AAA gamer... and have never attempted running games in Wine or Play On Linux. Here is a list of Windows games I found work absolutely awesome in Linux.
Currently Installed:
Skyrim (Play On Linux with Steam)
Aliens Vs Predator 2010 (Play On Linux with Steam)
Guilty Gear X2 (Play On Linux)
Pain Killer Black (Play On Linux)
Sanitarium (Play On Linux)
TrackMania Nations Forever (Play On Linux)
Wizardry 8 (Play On Linux)
Uninstalled for the simple fact I was not playing them anymore:
Dead Space (Wine)
Dead Space 2 (Wine)
Lego Star Wars : The Complete Saga (Wine)
Gothic 3 (Wine)
Diablo 2 (Wine)
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Wine)
Dragon Age 2 (Play On Linux)
Far Cry 2 (Play On Linux)
Thief (Play On Linux)
Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2 (Play On Linux)
Worms World Party (Play On Linux)
I tend to stick to Play On Linux as of late. I like the virtual drive option. Keeps your Windows game installs nice and tidy.
I have tried more games then listed above. Some worked to an extent while others just wouldn't boot or would just crap out.
Now for games I have gotten on Steam for Linux...... too many to list here.
Some highlights are:
Borderlands 2, Mount and Blade Warband, The Witcher 2, BioShock Infinite and so on.
I guess what I am trying to say with this post is; if Microsoft has got you down.....Linux is a very viable option.
Now Linux is not for the faint of heart. I would like to put people in 3 levels of tech users and then apply Linux to them:
If you: surf the internet, create documents and check email....then Linux is for you.
If you love using the old DOS, C++, and BASIC that was taught to you throughout your childhood....then FUCK YEAH.....Linux is for you.
If you are a AAA gamer and can't be bothered with how any of this works; and expect the highest quality from a free OS......then you are a retard and Linux is not for you.
Linux is about exploring and getting away from the normal, conditioning and greed that has already flooded the tech industry (like all industries).
It's about rekindling your love of adventure for new tech.
I am not knocking Windows and Apple users....just trying to bring another point of view on our love for the nerdy and the tech :D It's all about learning and challenge :D