Hi everyone!
I was an MCSE but I have used Linux for the last 10 years, and Mint for the last 3 years (I did use Ubuntu until then).
I find that WINE can run most windows programs, but I still have Oracle VMWare with XP on the old 'puter just in case. It has been a LONG time since I had any problems running windows progs on my computer. I just don't need them with linux Mint.
I have a dual boot with win7 on my backup, just so I can boot it to remember how to fix the (MANY) problems my windows friends run into.
I met Richard Stallman a few years back and was not swayed to his view that command line is the only way to compute, but I don't have his mathematical brain. Still, I am glad i use linux, and open source wherever feasible. Always check www.osalt.com before ya buy software.
Cheers,
Steve
