Is Linux worth it to a casual PC user???

[CrashPat]

Normal users do not need Linux. I use it on my desktop for programming, a couple of server applications, and browsing the Internet. It does these things very well. I use my laptop with Windows XP for playinog poker. It does this very well.

If you want to learn about it, go for it. Be careful and back up windows before you do anything stupid though. My favorite distribution right now is Ubuntu, very nice to use. I did try out Fedora Core 4 for a couple of weeks in late August and it is also very nice. Be prepared to download a couple of gigabytes though, I think FC4 is a 4 cd install.