I do use Linux; it’s what I boot to 99% of the time (though I keep an XP partition for when I want to be able to help someone remotely and be able to look at the GUI as I walk them through the “fix” they need).
I don’t think it takes any more effort to manage the user experience in Ubuntu or its derivatives than it does WinXP. It just takes different effort...effort not familiar or similar to XP.
In Linux a user need spend no time managing anti-virus software, because there are virtually none. With XP users spend time and, usually, money, to stay safe. The same is true for Vista.
And all too frequently users lose serious time due to the delays caused by memory hogging anti-virus software. I have many friends who constantly complain about Norton or Trend Micro, though some have had good luck with AVG not being a system hog.
In Linux, there is usually no need to worry about remote exploits cause there are usually no running services open to the Internet. I say usually because there are certainly some that will be wide open.
Certainly if a new Ubuntu user begins to make changes to the default install of the OS they run the potential of problems, and certainly drivers can be a problem, but that is not NEARLY what it was 3 years ago.
Basically, I think most people who stumble or struggle with Ubuntu are struggling with the change of the user interface; the lack of what is familiar to them in XP. You see the same issue with XP refugees who go to Mac and the same from them if they move to Vista.
Anyway, there are trade offs. I haven’t had to buy software for my 2 year old notebook and it works great with Ubuntu.
Cheers.
I think Linux in general has a great opportunity in the next several years to really move forward into the desktop market if they smooth out the experience for windows users, and make it pain free to integrate hardware. We will all benefit if they succeed.