My primary home operating system?

I voted for option #1, but I really want to switch to Mac. On one hand, the Mac OS would do the vast majority of what I need a computer for, and do it with much less "fuss" than a Windows machine ... but there are still a few key programs I need to run that will force me to keep XP (or Vista, if it ever shows up) around. Right now, the prospect of trying to find the physical space in my house to set up and conveniently use two computers is the only sticking point for me. Essentially, what's the point of buying a computer to make some parts of my life easier when it will simultaneously make other things harder?

I also had to vote for Windows XP, even though I had a brief fling with Fedora Core 3 (Linux). Again, Macs always *look* appealing, but I guess I really have to be convinced of a killer app. besides a nice UI. I guess I just like having random menus and options open to tinker with in programs and settings.

Stemming from this, I also just decided to dual boot the recently released Fedora Core 5. Before, I had only used GNOME with FC3, but I also decided to give KDE a try this time. Let's just say after GNOME, KDE is more like Windows in terms of customization (IMHO) and might make me more willing to spend copius amounts of time just playing with it, saddening as that may be.

There still isn't anywhere the built-in or easily available driver support for random devices (such as USB 802.11b/g and Bluetooth adapters I have) that Windows has. However, for basic usage (that is internet or office), I definetly feel Linux can be used in the 'mainstream'.

Coupled with the possibility of virtualization with VMWare or Xen, I'd definetly keep at using Linux. I just hope my computer is able to do so (easily), with its CPU being 3+ years old.

Mac Rumors had a troubling article today on the outlook for Mac games. The other day I chronicled my experiences dual booting OS/2 and Windows and the trouble it led to. Looks like some of my fears may be realized here too. One of the issues I had when I was running OS/2 was why would I buy OS/2 specific programs when I could by Windows programs and it would run on either? That's not quite the case here, because Mac OS X won't run Windows programs...but the temptation is there to buy Windows programs and dual boot or run in one of the virtualization environments.

As the article I linked to states, it is also tempting for developers to drop your platform and save money by writing programs for one and making you boot into Windows. Why would they bother writing Mac games now? Then down the line, it could erode support for other programs as well. Again, all it would take is Microsoft to pull the plug on Office for Mac, and it's basically all over. Right now Apple is basking in the potential for a whole lot of people switching to the Mac now that it's safe because they can fall back on Windows. If they are careful, it could turn into a riptide back the other way if Office gets killed off. Some of you will say no, that Adobe products like PhotoShop are the main concern for the core Mac users. Again, why would you buy the Mac version or how could you justify buying a Mac or anything like that to the IT department when you can run all the Adobe products on a PC? I really hope Apple gets some leverage on Microsoft and Adobe to keep their products on the Mac, or finds viable alternatives fast. They also need to be really nice to developers and software buyers.