All I tend to use is open source software on all my macs and PC's.
The majority of the time, open source stuff is actually more stable, more powerful, and totally customizable compared to closed-source equivelents.
On my mac, I have only two 'big box' programs... Roxio Toast (for burning dvd's, etc since the open source equivelents are a bit behind.), and Photoshop CS3 for my photography work. (Gimp just doesnt cut it)
Other than that, everything is opensource.
Same deal with my pc's.. On those, only photoshop and the windows OS itself is 'Big Box' software.
While on the subject of computers though, I will say that while most people rip on macs (they probably have never used one), I recently switched over, and will honestly say that I WILL NOT switch back to windows. Mac OS X is quite powerful, easy to use, looks/behaves dead sexy, and is extremely fast. Since it does not have to deal with the registry and DLL's like windows does, my Intel Core 2 Duo macbook with 2gb of ram, and a 200gb hd STARTS UP IN 12-15 SECONDS! That is from the time I press the power button, till it is ready to use. My windows PC's take nearly a minute. Waking from sleep on the mac is instant. By the time I get the lid open, it is ready for me to use. Never had a problem with it yet, and have only had one crash... When Mac OS X has a crash, only the program affected will crash. Everything runs within its own little world, unlike windows. Say if, photoshop, were to crash, it would not affect the OS or my word document open in any way.
The other nice thing is, it is UNIX based, which, being very familiar with UNIX myself, is kinda nice. I actually use the terminal to do alot of my work.
Plus, they are compatible with windows now, and you can actually natively run windows on the new intel macs.
Anyway, just wanted to state the pros of Macs. They are getting more and more popular as well, now that their past (which haunted them) is starting to fade away. I highly reccomend looking into them if any of the museums out there are looking for new machines.
One other thing, the new macbooks are TINY and powerful, and look good. Here are a couple pics of mine setting next to my old dell 5150. You can clearly see the size difference...
Showing the rather unique keyboard (which I love much more than the standard keyboards found these days.) Also shows the brightness of the screen.
Comparison size-wise, and screen quality between C2D MacBook, and Dell Inspiron 5150.
MacBook is MUCH thinner, and the pic doesnt show, but its form-factor is small too. The entire guts of the machine (minus battery, and dvd burner) is smaller than a cd case (dont ask how I know.... :) )
The trademark light-up apple
