intertwingly

Mark Pilgrim: One year ago, I switched to Linux for a variety of reasons revolving around software freedom, choice, and data preservation.

I just realized that my switch was just over two years ago, though my reasons were different, and my switch was not as crisp.  In April of 2005, I installed Ubuntu on my laptop, but mostly worked near my Windows desktop for a few weeks.  In May, I installed Ubuntu as dual boot.  But I found that I never boot back into windows.

While my Windows desktop spends most of its time in hibernate mode, it does get used a few times a week:

• My primary use is for calendaring.  My official work calendar is based on Lotus Notes, and while it has always seemed that the next version will support Linux directly, and while some have reported some success, and some hassles using Wine; I’ve avoided that path.  So, I’ll check my calendar a few times a week, but mostly I survive based on email and IM.
• Every couple of months, I’ll travel (though less so, recently).  The online reservation system is limited to IE 5.5 and higher, and the expense account application is (or was, the last time I checked) an IE only Java application.
• A few times a year, I’ll test out IE compatibility for some website or script, or play with something new, like Silverlight.  But these are the exceptions rather than the norm.  Most of the things I want to play with work on Linux.
• Once a year, I’ll fill out my taxes using a commercial software package.

What have I missed out on in these two years?  The only thing I can recall is Joost.