Most Linux distributions come with The Gimp and Open Office. The Gimp for
my needs is as good as any build of Photoshop I've ever used. And
probably could be used commercially. Open Office Works as well as the
good old offices before Microsoft went crazy. I'd say it compares to
Office 2000/XP. And comes with all your needs. I use Evolution for email,
a perfect GNU replication of M$ Outlook for my needs. All this is no
cost. Not even the OS. I haven't booted into W7 on this dual boot PC for
a month. Here is a snapshot of my 3D Cube desktop. The switch is on a
cube that reduces back into the switcher image them rotates on 3 axis.
Running on desktop #1 is Cinelerra. http://bayimg.com/cADPoAadP
The ducks on the pond image is the switcher background not the desktop.
The desktop cube recedes 50% with the push of the middle mouse button or
wheel then dragged to the next of 3 others. Once you release the button
or wheel the desktop files the screen. It's eye candy but also useful.

I'll give Linux a look when I have the money for my next computer.

The problem is that I still use Office 2000 (I use Word every day, and love
it), and there's the remote possibility I might need Ventura again. Without
going into the excruciating details, Ventura is one of the great
applications. It takes a week or so to get familiar with, but is /extremely/
easy to use. It's a classic example of why "good" software often has a
shallow learning curve.