I use linux almost exclusively. I say almost ONLY because I sometimes boot windows to run programs for my daughter (not too many programs for 2-year olds on Linux yet).
At work, I use Linux exclusively. I can read most word and excel files that people send me with Star Office, but I *do* ask people if they could please send me stuff in plain text and they usually comply.
I have found no programs that I need that I cannot find some version of on Linux. Sure, the linux equivalents usually don't have all the bells and whistles of the windoze versions, but I find that those are features that I usually don't use.
If you are a games person, though, or DO use all the bells and whistles, you may find yourself bouncing back to windoze from time to time.
As stated above, use what works best for you and, if it's a tie, go with what makes you feel best.
