[quote name='n25philly']Ubuntu is for gaming, if you are a masocist[/QUOTE]
I agree. I don't consider myself a Ubuntu-expert (and it's my only contact with Linux, really), but I've set up a couple of Ubuntu rigs in both offices and homes, and it's just not worth the effort.
If you want to play older DOS, Win 9x and even older Directx 9 games, then yes, it is possible but not trouble free, and there some some good open source games as well, but you'll save yourself a lot of grief if you just buy Windows XP for somewhat older games, and Windows Vista for new ones.
And I agree with some the above posters, Windows Vista is nowhere near as bad as people make it sound. Really, if you are not a computer illiterate (and there's nothing wrong with that), it is an awesome OS for home computing and gaming in general.