hedwards: I tend to recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon for desktops as it's an easy distro to learn to use and it has a comprehensive repository for most software you'd want.

I definitely recommend getting crossover for Windows software, the individual bottles for each piece of software is quite nice. Also, there's an automated system for downloading and installing a lot of software.

If you're not sure, I'd recommend downloading the Linux Mint DVD and try it from there, you get a more or less complete install to play with before you actually install it on your disc. It's a nice way of trying things out before you commit.hedwards: I think most of the DOSBox games should be a good bet, but I can hardly wait to hear more information about newer games that have Linux support elsewhere. I don't want to commit on my Wasteland 2 keys until I know that I can get a Linux copy here.

Obviously, it's still too early for anybody at GOG to officially announce that one way or another as the game is still in Beta.

MaximumBunny: Rather than discuss the software side, what about the hardware? Most of the people here seem to be on older laptops, so they don't have to worry about drivers and compatibility. But if you're running newer hardware or a good desktop it seems like a waste to move to Linux since you'll have less features available and less support. How do you take that into consideration before making a Linux rig, and at what point (hardware-wise) do you not turn your rig into Linux? That is the question. ^^

Fenixp: It's generally a good idea to keep an eye on Linux compatibility when it comes to hardware, but I dare to say 99% of hardware you can possibly have on your computer will run just as well as on your Windows machine, and instantly upon installing the system. This is due to the way that Linux handles drivers which is substancially different from that of Windows.Fenixp: No you won't. Unless we're talking graphics cards, I'm not entirely sure how good the GUI for setting them up is - nonetheless, you can most likely achieve the same effect via terminal. At any rate, major GPU drivers are now released stimultaneously for Linux and Windows machines, even for ATI IIRC.Fenixp: Well, since NVidia (definitely) and ATI (most likely) make drivers for both Windows and Linux, you won't miss any support. As for any other hardware, vast majority of common spread driver issues are fixed by contributors within hours.

Redfern: Today most distros use PulseAudio on top of ALSA which is now mostly hidden from user eyes.
Still, audio is most frequent problem with games of all sort - there is just too much of ways to break sound.

Redfern: I hope you dont forget that 32bit and 64bit should be considered as separate platforms in scope of Linux. Game developers should be encouraged to build 64bit versions since today there is not much of sense into running 32bit linux if your hardware is capable to run 64bit.