I've a confession to make: I don't care what OS my computer is running as long as it works. Call me shallow, call me socially irresponsible, call me a traitor to the open source creed, but I say: "Hey, if it works, then it works for me."

As I look around my office, I see one server on Linux, one on Windows, a handful of desktop PCs running Windows, and one dual boot Windows/Linux desktop. Notebook: MacBookPro. I run proprietary software on open source platforms. I run open source software on proprietary platforms. I run Linux and Windows-sometimes on the same box. Heck, I am even looking forward to the (official) release of BootCamp so I can run Windows on my Mac!

Let's face it: I'm a shameless hussy. My portable hard drive and I live by the mantra of plug-and-play. It's like a buffet: I sample all tastes and take a little of each. And frankly, if you don't, you're probably missing out on some good experiences.

For years I ran Mac and nothing but Mac. Then one shining day the dramatic drops in PC hardware prices proved too much temptation; I decided it was time to learn DOS and Windows 3.1. In a complete 180-degree shift, I went from being a Mac fanatic to a DOS freak.

The cracks in my Microsoft resolve didn't appear until nearly ten years later. The first indication that my days of serial monogamy might be over began to appear on my servers as I found Linux to be a painless and cost-effective option for scaling up boxes, particularly dedicated servers. Then, like an unfaithful spouse, I start trying out Linux desktops on the side-nothing serious, just a taste. But as happens, I kept trying them (and dumping them) and then one day, one stuck. A penguin now has a permanent place in my digital harem.