I mainly use my computer for games and Web surfing.
 
As most main stream games will only run on Bad King Bills
Monopoly, I can't see any real point in trying Linux.
 
I have nearly just about tried it when a Linux version
comes out free with a PC mag CD's.
So are there cool things to be done on Linux that
can't be done on King Billy's Big Brother OS.

Linux is much more sable and with some extra software linux can run any game windows can run.  I haven't had the pleasure of using linux yet but lots of my friends use it.  I find it to be much better, even though going to it will mean a complete relearning of my computer.  Someone correct me if i'm wrong but are there many if any viruses written for linux?  I have always thought that it was like MAC OS in the way that there wern't any viruses written for it.

If you just use your computer for games and the net, then no.
 
If you do anything else (program, webserve etc), then yes.
 
Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

Linux has really developed a lot during the past years. Depending on the games you play, it could be a possibility for you. Some games will run, some won't. You can probably search for a list of games that are compatible with linux at <A HREF="http://www.google.com/linux/" target="_new">http://www.google.com/linux/</A>. There are Windows emulators out for linux that will enable you to run Windows programs in linux. As far as I know, if properly configured, linux is a lot more secure than Windows. It's a given that it is much more stable than Windows as well. There are also a lot less viruses that can affect linux as compared to Windows. But I guess if you mainly use your computer for gaming and searching the web, Windows would be your best bet until linux develops further for gaming.
 
 
--
nyt

ive tried 8 versions of linux so far. what ive found is that you can setup linux in so many ways that its incredible. you wouldnt believe me unless you've seen it yourself. i have broadband connection and i get more bandwidth with linux.  
also most versions are free for the download.if your on a 56k there are places that will send you legal copies for a few dollars to cover shipping.
there are alot of games out there for linux already quake,ut,AvP, wolfenstin and more also there is a program called winex that emulates windows they have many titles for windows running on linux and for the games that arent supported they have a rating system for the games that will be developed for compatibility.
what did it for me was a simple question. say you car brakedown do you want to take it to a person who is just working for a paycheck or someone who just loves the car so much that they want to fix it?
 
have fun

The best OS for gaming is Windows XP by far. It's stable (crashed maybe once on me in the last few months) and very compatible (you can even play dos games like duke3d on it!).
 
Linux has a few games ported to it, such as the quake and unreal series, but generally most games are not available for it. LOKI, like most other linux companies, went out of business recently, and they were the only company that ported and sold linux games.  
 
<i>My life wasn't complete untill I tried sse-2 optimized pong</i>

BTW winex isn't an emulator, more like a compatibility layer. Anyway you can use wine or winex to play windows games but they will always be the bottleneck. Expect higher fps under windows unless you are playing a linux native game. Also linux will not increase your bandwidth at all. If you have a 1.5Mbps cable modem, it will be 1.5Mbps under linux as well.