Yes, look at your software needs first.

On the other hand, many people do not have specialized needs. Web browsers are practically identical across platforms, particularly with the decreasing dependence upon plugins. Most users use the the basic functionality of office software, and will never touch the advanced features unless they work in a business with an IT department that sets up those features for them. Professional graphics designers will find the alternatives on Linux lacking, yet many people will discover that they can do just as much with those free substitutes. As for gaming, Linux is offering an increasing number of commercial titles. If the title exists for Windows and Mac, chances are that it exists for Linux too.

While all of that paints Linux as a lesser platform, one for people with limited needs, that is solely from the perspective of overlapping needs. Those office suite users will usually find the advanced features of open source alternatives just as powerful, but compatibility is an issue when making a switch. It also ignores uses where Linux provides the exact same software as Windows. Many fields that started out on Unix, because Wintel based systems were lacking back in the day, made the jump to Linux.

I'm not saying that people should make the jump. Clearly there are some people who cannot, or where making the jump would be a considerable effort. But guess what -- that is a big part of the reason why Microsoft has trouble getting people to upgrade between versions of their software. People didn't want to invest their time into learning the new features of Windows 8 or Office 2007. Vista had compatibility issues (justified, since they were addressing security). Even if Windows 10 fixes all of the complaints with Windows 8.x, many people are going to stay put on their existing version because it takes time to install it and it takes time to learn about the changes.

Yet the one thing I get tired of is people dismissing or outright maligning Linux because they hold Windows so dear to their heart. Windows users who complain about over zealous Linux users, without stopping to reflect upon their very similar close-minded and argumentative attitudes. Here's a hint: don't expect those Linux users to zip their lips on the topic if Windows users won't do the same.

Oh, and all of this is coming from someone who rarely uses Linux as a desktop OS these days. I've been there, I know what switching to and using open source software entails. I know it's benefits and down sides. I still use many of the acquired skills to tweak embedded systems, under OS X, and with Cygwin. Most Linux users have the same knowledge because they too have used multiple platforms. It's just difficult to express themselves when a good number of vocal users will jump down their throats for mentioning the L-word.