it’s ok to use what you’re used to, but in case you’re looking for alternatives you can use linuxappfinder (has the biggest database)

http://linuxappfinder.com/alternatives

for photoshop replacement i use “Krita” (ps like interface) and gimp

also on the Cons “availability” and “learning curve”:

Installing Ubuntu is as easy as installing a windows program thanks to Wubi. Ubuntu 8.04 has “Wubi” included. Also, many videos on youtube.

To make the “learning curve” extremely easy i suggest you hand out Linuxmint (an ubuntu derivative, but easier for new users). It even comes with codecs by default.
http://www.linuxmint.com/

oh and remember that if it’s not in Synaptic, you can grab many programs at http://getdeb.net/

Cheers and enjoy your cup of ubuntu

you have been featured in the Ubuntu weekly newsletter

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue95

I love that you are now a syndicated columnist/blogger. There should be another job in there somewhere.

I remember when I got my first system with no OS loaded. All I had was a freeDOS disk and a will that I would learn how to use Linux. I started out with Mandrake and it worked pretty well except for the main thing I wanted it to do–connect to the campus LAN. I found with my version of ALSA I could not get my CD player to play audio CDs without another internal cable that Windows had solved with a software workaround.

I stubbornly continued with the help of my fraternity brothers, but my father bought me a copy of Windows because even he couldn’t believe I was unable to connect to the LAN. Since then Mandrake has become much better and has changed its name to Mandriva. I appreciate that it uses RPM Package Manager and KDE. I don’t think I could handle Linux without a package manager. From my investiagtions of Ubuntu, I yhave learned of its Synaptics Package Manager and that there are flavors that run KDE.

My biggest problems with Linux continue to be with audio and video. That might not sound like much, but since I use Skype and like to listen to podcasts they are important to me. Helix is still not as good as the Windows version of RealPlayer and I still don’t get along with ALSA very well.

Oh, I second the person who suggested GIMP. I love GIMP. As a professional I can see why you would use Photoshop, but for most functions GIMP works just as well.

Cheers,
Josie

At first I used a dual boot with XP because I missed a few Windows applications. It didn’t take long for me to get tired of booting into XP so I just let myself get used to Linux alternatives. Now there is nothing to entice me back to Windows. I don’t use any pirated software now since everything is available as open source if you look hard enough.

I changed to Linux because I was increasingly frustrated with m$ and their anti-piracy/DRM stance. Windows Update got more and more draconian. Then I had to start serving some Vista machines. That was the final straw. I love Linux now and could not ever go back.