Re: Just a simple question....i think it\'s simple:
I am a die-hard Linux fan. I've been using it since RedHat 4.1 and have never turned back. Where else can you set up your own SMTP/IMAP/POP email server, firewall, Windows networking server and build a fully-database-driven webfront for free? And one the same machine too. You practically just pay for hardware and the online time you spend downloading all the tarballs/RPMs.
Its free, yes - but that's not the point. Saaby is absolutely right about the stable part. I've had my servers run for MONTHS on end with zero maintenance or reboots. In fact, the only time I had to tend to the servers is when a NIC breaks down, or when adding/removing parts (like RAM).
I'd say using Linux has been a pain and a joy. No complaints for its use a server, but on the desktop, its somewhat infuriating at times if you are thinking games, multimedia and some design work. Its fine for documents, spreadsheets and surfing, but I'd stick with Win/XP for games and design stuff (like when I'm using Flash or Freehand).
As an email station, Linux will laugh at most if not all email-born viruses and worms.
As for stability, Windows often dies because of one misbehaving app. And its always asking you to reboot when you this or that. So, even though its 'multi-tasking', you better be careful about what you are doing. For Linux, I can be recompiling Apache or a new kernel-build whilst still doing something goofy under X and not worry about a mishap bringing down the compile process along with it.
I've done some Solaris, AIX and HP-UX but that was a long time ago. All I remember about them is that they were *expensive* and restrictive.
Linux rocks!