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For those of us using some variation of GNU Linux, I thought it might be interesting to find out which flavor you're using, and how you like it.

Mandriva 2006 and/or 2005 here. Both are great. Easy to set up, and fairly easy to use. 2006 is a bit of a ram-hog though.

what's the difference between linux and MS?. i heard linux was more secure.
are there many people using Linux?. do i know a lot about computers?. NO.

There's no way I can answer all that. Try a bit of research. I'd start here:
http://www.linuxforums.org

I've used Ubuntu Hoary and Debian some, and for a while I rented a managed server running CentOS. Never got really fluent in Linux, and as a web designer/programmer I find myself having to continue using Windows because that's what the programs I prefer run best in. One of the vector graphic programs I use, Xara Xtreme, is now being ported over to Linux, which will make switching over even more attractive. I don't look forward to, or plan on, switching to MS Vista in a few years, so by then I hope to be able to spend more time with Linux and be able to live MS free!

I am also in process of learning to run a Linux server - almost got the server put together. Will be installing Fedora and using a book from Sitepoint to learn the server admin stuff from scratch.

Good luck on that Inconsistent. I've run Mandriva in one form or another for about 3 years now. I do computer repair, and build custom computers, so there's no way I can go "MS free." I have to know the OS.
I did enjoy a short stint running SuSe. It is very smooth.
Red Hat was too complicated for a Linux newbie (me) to set up when I got it. Ubuntu, I haven't tried, but I understand that it's hard to get set up as well. Debian, I'd love to try, but never have. I hear the new Debian is very user-friendly though, so I may give it a whirl.
I enjoy firing up my old IBM and seeing something other than Windows. As of now, the Mandriva 2006 Free edition is running perfectly, though I think I'm going to go back to 2005 LE. The 2006 is just too hard on the Pentium III, and 384mb of ram.
Vista is merciless on ram. I've run it on a new 64 bit with 1,024mb of ram, and seen it use 640mb idling. To top it all off, if a program you want to run in Vista lacks a Microsoft signature, it won't even install. Great way to try to enslave your customers, huh?

Yeah, from what I've read if I was to go to Vista I'd have to invest in too much new software, as the older versions (over 2 years) of Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Homesite, etc. won't run. And I've heard the same about it being a memory hog.

I do a lot of computer repair, and build my own and for friends and family, and thank goodness it will be a few years before Vista is the new OEM Windows. I ran Win2K as long as I could, and just went to WinXP Pro about 2.5 years ago, when I went into biz for myself and bought new equipment.

I actually found the latest Ubuntu version easy to install, easier and faster than Windows. And I forgot to mention I've also used what used to be called "Lindows", now called Linspire. It was ok, bit not what it was cracked up to be.

I was starting to learn Debian after finally getting the disks and installing it on an old dual Pentium2 machine. Played with it for about 2 weeks off and on, and then the mobo burned out - literally! Smelled smoke, and took it outside and flames were coming off the back side of the mobo! Threw baking soda on it to put it out, then saved what I could but the mobo, CPUs and memory were "toast"!

As my new server progresses, I'll let you know! It'll be used as a firewall/development server once I get it going.

For london_geeza:
A bit of "required reading" for anyone considering the switch from Windows to Linux -
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm and
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW1.htm
A test to see which version might best suit you -
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

For Inconsistent:
Do keep me up to date on the server. I'm considering building one for use strictly as a firewall for myself, using one distribution or another of Linux as the OS.

I use Ubuntu and I love it. I also use Mac OS X. I live in a windows free household. :D

I think they call that a cave!

I think MS is going to hurt themselves with Vista, unless they change their mind and make it more backward compatible. I believe it's going to cost too much to switch, and folks will look for alternatives, and if the right Linux distro is out there they'll consider it or the lower cost Macs. Especially when those systems can run with less memory, slower processors and bus speeds, and still keep up with Windows for most user's needs.

Inconsistent,
The Ubuntu you used? Ubuntu, or Kubuntu? I downloaded Kubuntu, and was going to load it on the IBM's extra hard drive, but it won't boot to a DVD It went straight into Win2k instead.

20 years ago, this post would have passed for a foreign language...it's still pretty close now.

No worries 'Card. Even in my profession, you'd be amazed how many of your peers look at you like you're nuts when the subject of actually USING Linux comes up.
Everyone wants the best of everything, and has bought into the idea that "the best" for your computer is Windows. Very slowly, things are changing. With more and more internet connections being run through routers instead of dial-up servers, loading your ISP's software isn't necessary. That's just more reason to make the change from instability, and vulnerability to peace of mind.
(Example) My Windows computer downloads new antivirus data almost daily. My Linux computer has yet to download any new antivirus data. Why? Because there are no new known viruses out that infect Linux.
Speed, security, stability... I don't think I could ask anything more of an operating system.

It's Ubuntu, version 5 I think (Hoary?). Probably old by now! They sent me like 10 copies for the PC, and 5 for the Mac! First time I tried it I used version 4 (Warthog, I think) and had problems. The new version was easy.

Regular Ubuntu comes with Gnome desktop. "Kubuntu" I think is the same OS, with the KDE desktop, which I hear many people prefer. It is supported, developed, etc. by same people. They also have a new "edubuntu" that I think they are trying to get into schools.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I need to play with it some more. I never learned how to install programs, new hardware, etc. Basically just installed it, used OpenOffice and played a couple of games it came with, then got too busy to go back to it!

Inconsistent,
If you ever get the chance, try Mandriva. I've used it off and on since Mandrake 6.0, and have yet to have an install where I've had to configure hardware, other than wireless internet on a laptop. It's smooth, fast, and rock solid reliable. It comes with more tools than most people will ever use. The only thing I miss in the 2006 version is the speed of LE 2005. 2006 is aimed at faster computers than this, but it's still not slow.
Consider the fact that I'd rather run an old IBM P3, than my "show" computer that I use to impress potential clients. That should tell you how good it is.
I managed to crash Kubuntu last night by installing flash in Mozilla Firefox. I don't need anything that fragile. I think I'll stick with Mandriva.

Was going to dual-boot Linux and Windows, but apparently Creative didn't release whatever information was needed for Linux drivers to be made for the X-Fi sound card, so I didn't bother. I did like what I saw on the live CD of Ubuntu I tried, though.