Mind Architecture Tech Opinions

As a web developer, what programs and applications do you use frequently?
What do you like about them?

Microsoft pretty much dominates the desktop computer space. Many people view this as bad. Do you think the computer industry would be at its current level if Microsoft hadn’t unified things with 1 common OS? Is getting everyone buying computers because of Windows or was it going to happen anyway? Is it still a good thing that most people are standardized on Windows or would the industry be better off with more share by Linux and Mac?

Now that Linux is getting more and more talk, would you look into
switching
to Linux or at least use it in some capacity in your business or as a
designer?

What do you think of this deal between Microsoft and Novell? Is this a good thing or is Microsoft have alterior motives that will hinder more than help?

When Microsoft Vista comes out, will you be upgrading? Why or why not?