But you have advantages in most any technical field - the discipline of code logic is at least reminiscent of the sort of attention to detail as appears to be declining with (the usual growth of dumbth).
Possibly something you never imagined - could present an opportunity to say, "let me try that for a week". Besides, admit it - working with M$ software is a drain on the psyche, even for those who do not believ there IS a psyche. This could be your chance to determine once and for all: Billy n Bally ALONE were making you sick. <<
(Hey this isn't just silly; there are case studies re parallel jobs)
Happy inventing,
A.
PS your tip, the PIII-600 with dejunked, speeded-up 98SE hasn't missed a beat - though if I'd been paid for the wasted hours finding, fixing the BS - the machine would have been free. M$ s/ware (user or programmer) Eats Minds. (Linux I note, expands minds - but you have to want to expand in that direction).