I'm surprised you had so many problems guest. I've intalled lots of different versions of Linux (usually by downloading the iso images from the websites and burning my own disc or by using the image directly when I've created virtual versions). I've never had any problems with the installations in recent years (I've had problems with Ubuntu upgrades and I generally do a fresh install of new versions now - it's the recommended way and unless you're adept at sorting out problems after upgrade by using a live cd to fix things, it's the sensible way to go). Although I use Ubuntu as my live system, I've installed quite a few others (I think I have a virtual Mint 14 on my machine at the moment) from small ones to the major distros and never seen anything like you describe. You must have been quite unlucky I think. Most of the problems I've had with Ubuntu were with video drivers - the live CD would run, but the install would fail to come up. It was normally because of the proprietary video drivers. I would usually have to use the live CD to go in and correct the installed system before it would boot properly. Even that seems not to happen with the latest releases (I currently use Ubuntu 12.04LTS as my live system). It is a pity though when you try to make the change to Linux and it goes wrong; it is off-putting. (My early experiences with it years ago were a bit like that, but in recent years things seem to be a lot better; the installers are much better at creating a working system at startup with no user intervention needed)

As you say there are free equivalents of virtually every program that runs under windows. (I do keep a virtual XP machine to run Finale - MuseScore is still not up to the standard of the commercial music scoring programs, but apart from that I use all free software).

After running dual boot windows/linux systems for a few years, I finally made the break from windows about two and half years ago and (Finale apart - and I do use Musescore for some things) I've never felt I was missing anything.

Once you get used to the changes from windows you should have a great experience.

Mick