Just to share my experiences. I've had VMs on Windows that run Linux great. I've never tried Linux VM to Windows but at school we're using a VM on Windows to run a different version of windows and it's "iffy". One day things will work fine, the next day things will crash all the time, and other days you have to use the "run as Administrator" option to get things to work right.

That being said, I'm no Linux expert but I do enjoy fumbling about with it and have also thought about making the move, it's just not a realistic option FOR ME. I would suggest either getting a Win machine for the EZ (I picked up a used laptop a few weeks ago primarily for EZB and related things) or get a second machine to put Linux onto. I have a machine lent out to some friends and those are my plans for it when it comes home.

My $.02. Keep the change

There are reasons why Jarvis spans across 3 PCs (2 x Ubuntu 1x Windows 7). If something is made for Windows it'll run best on Windows. If something's made for Ubuntu/Debian/Whatever then it will run best on there.

I recommend using Ubuntu on a virtual Machine and keep window as it is.