Hi! I'm doing some research for school (actually just for fun) about the impact of Linux in the computer world. An aspect I have seen is that many users don't have the guts to use only Linux on their system so they usually make a dual-boot with Windows. So, it sounds interesting to know the percentage. I'd also like to know the reason for why you are not satisfied with Linux alone and still need Windows.

I normally run Windows-free on all my systems, but I do have a minimal Windows partition that I keep around. The reason is that occasionally I run into a piece of hardware that needs a firmware update, but the manufacturers only offer Windows or Mac updaters for their hardware. I also have Mac systems - but they run Linux as well.

If the manufacturers would switch to bootable Linux CDs for performing their firmware updates, they could have a single image that works on all Windows/Linux/Intel Mac systems. Instead of maintaining multiple updaters (typically at least Win85/98, Win2K/XP, Mac OS X), they could maintain just a single program, reducing their costs.

I answered "I only use Linux" because I almost entirely use Linux. I have one computer (out of 4) left that runs Windows XP... for games that do not work with WINE.

I've 100% Linux working laptop (even managed to run webcam and cardreader). For some measurement devices I need to use windows but I'm running it using VMWare.

I voted for dual boot because of my dekstop system. I mostly boot Slackware on it and sometimes forget it still has win2K. I also have have a 100% Slackware laptop that almost doesn't have the word Microsoft on it anywhere. I've also started using VirtualBox and now have VMs of Win98, Win2K, Ubuntu and SLED10.

I didn't vote, but I will comment.

At home, I have used Linux exclusively for about 4 years now. I did buy a copy of XP a couple of years ago for my wife, but she had so many virus problems that she gladly switched to Linux and didn't look back.

The main reason that haven't completely ditched Windows myself is that I have an incurable addiction that so far is satisfied by my using Windows at work. That addiction is called food. In other words I have to depend on Windows to make a living. Someday I will break the bonds because I am working nights and weekends building up a shoestring operation that I am hoping will be my income through retirement. (I will be 61 next month)

If you would have included a checkbox for "Linux at home / Windows at work", I would have voted.

Voted dual boot although I only spent 1% or less in WinXP on my desktop machine. Further I have a Slackware server running and a Win98 box. The latter runs some software without a Linux alternative and has MS office 2000 that is used to edit documents without screwing up the formatting.

Moved to General with all the similar surveys.

I have Linux and Windows on this machine, but I chose "I only use Linux" because I very rarely use Windows.

Have to have Windows for school (Though I am thinking of Wineing it )

I dual boot on my notebook because I can't get my wireless to work at all under linux, plus the volume button doesn't function either.

Duelboot.
I Use Linux for everything except my windows games and to print (I can't get it to print to a printer on xp)
And when I need to make somehing work in powerpoint for school.
However Debian always boots, and when I need windows, quick reboot, then reboot back to debian.

I porbably could use WINE, but closed source stays on windows (with a few exceptions: Nvidia drive)
Oh I also usually use windows quicklly on patch tuesdays

But at school they have Windows, which I am forced to use

It's not that I don't have the guts, it's just that there's some things I can't unfortunately do with Linux.

I'm a gamer. Yes, I use Cedega, and Wine, but they don't always work. I'm very often a retro gamer so I don't have problems when using emulators, but sometimes I just have to go with Windows.

And there's also my TI-89 Titanium with Silverlink. It just happens that that combination doesn't work with Linux. I don't usually upload things to my calc but when I do I have to go Windows too.

On my secondary PC though, I just have Slackware.

My home (internet connected) PC has Linux and Windows on it, but I only boot into Windows if I have to ring my ISP for support because question number 1 is "What version of Windows are you running?". I chose "I only use Linux" because I've only booted into Windows maybe 8 or 10 times since building that box (almost 3 years).

I have some Windows usage at work - but even then I mainly SSH into my Slackware boxes.

I have not used Windows on any of my computers since late 1999. I wiped my last Windows partition a couple months after that to make more room... mostly because I wasn't using it at all anyway.

I have not looked back. I completely missed XP on my systems... it wasn't even out when I last used Windows. I've experienced it, when using other people's computers but never had it myself.

I had to check "Some other config" though... because I am a BSD bigot... and haven't had a Linux system for just about as long.