I have been using Linux on the desktop for a number of years, despite this I would not have recommended a Linux desktop for the average user.
The best place for Linux was is in the server room, not on the desktop. This has changed drastically over the past few years with Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu Linux has taken the geeky edge from the Linux desktop and have created a number of tools to remove the hardware complexity and installation problems associated with Linux.
So much so that DELL have arranged to distribute Ubuntu Linux pre-installed on DELL machines.
This is excellent news for the consumer, and open’s a new level of choice.