IMO, Windows should like Windows and Ubuntu like Ubuntu. There should be no
confusion between the two. Giving XP an Ubuntu face-lift does nothing to improve
its deficiencies. If you want the look of Ubuntu use the real thing! Anything
less and you are only fooling yourself.

My only problem with going 100% Linux right now is some hardware
issues, which may change if future kernels, etc. fix them:

1. My samsung dvd drives won't burn, only play. I have Samsung
optical drives on 3 of my desktop computers. My Lite-on external
works fine.

2. My MS Lifecams won't work in Linux, but my Logitech webcams do. I
have 3 LC's and 2 logitechs.

3. Bugs in the GDM login sounds (can't add to one machine, and the
other won't play sounds at all during login.) Any altered wav shows
up as 0 seconds in the properties in Ubuntu.

4. And, certain sites for video chatting/broadcasting like Stickam,
BlogTV and all that, require Windows, even though it's flash-based.
*The main reason I haven't completely ditched Windows.

5. Wine is still a beta. I've found some windows stuff will run,
some not, and some partially. And they don't un-install completely,
meaning you have to disable them from showing on the menu.

Apps like the Desktop Cube of Yodm and Shock, give non-linux folk a
taste of the glories of Compiz Fusion. So they're good for demo
purposes.

I agree with Linus Torvald's opinion that the main obstacle to people
using Linux is inertia. I myself didn't really consider the move
until I had problems with re-activating winxp after *major hardware
changes* and trouble finding good inexpensive video-editing apps.

And even then, my first attempts at iso-burning were failures, so I
had to order some off Ebay. I picked up a Linux Starter's Kit (Suse
sled) from a bookstore, which almost turned me off completely. I
know better now, having tried over 30 distro's with some still yet to
be burned to disk.

Everybody does what they have to do. Don't feel that you need to apologize for
your decisions. Implicit in your posting is the desire to move toward FOSS and
away from proprietary solutions. That will have to do until such time as FOSS
catches up in the areas you mentioned. Unfortunately none of the "advantages"
that M$ enjoys is due to superiority of the OS, but rather due to the cozy
relationship they enjoy with OEMs. This is changing quickly.

Some of us in the open source world have made decisions based on equipment that
works instead of trying to make available equipment perform in ways that it was
not designed to do. We need to remember that there is a transition period where
users come from all backgrounds and not everyone can afford to buy new
equipment, to say nothing about environmental concerns. Make the most of what
you have and don't look back!

What you need to do is to run Windows as a Virtual Machine
within Ubuntu.

I'll look into it. To run a VM, don't you need to
install Windows (ie, retail)? My Windows came
with my machines, so that's not an option right
now if it does.

You do, a VM works like any computer, you must install the OS you want to
use, the VM doesn't come with it.

That's exactly what you need. Install the VM on Ubuntu and
then allocate memory and disk to the VM, where you will install
your previous Windows OS using the same Windows disk that came with
your computer.