Have a look at Nemerle. Nemerle is what C# should have been!! You can combine C# and functional programming. You can use C# syntax. If you are tired of {}, Nemerle accept indent. There is a nice plugin for VS2010. I think I have read somewhere that JetBrains is going to use Nemerle. Python is also a nice language with OOP and functional. It is also crossplatform who I think will be at more value as time goes by. Python is also very good at prototyping.

I have been a windows user for many years. I'm sick and tired of the license policy of M$. Have some of you tried to register some of M$ products without internet? And what about if you have to reinstall an OEM version? I downloaded ISO-file of Ubuntu and burned it to an DVD, booted on it an start testing without installing it (try that on windows). I really liked what I experienced, so I installed Ubuntu and Mint on VirtualBox. For me, Mint is a winner. As mentioned here, with programs for daily use already installed (LibreOffice etc). Work-areas (yeah, you might find this in windows to), easy configuration, script language (you have to install PowerShell on windows). No registry. Will a program that is installed on one machine work on an another machine, just by copying the program folder? I'll give it a try. There are tons of educational-, scientific- office -programs for free!! Very easy to find them and install them and with a good description of each program. Linux is also a great environment for programming microcontrollers. The only reason that I not have switched, is: 1. Visual Studio is still the best development environment (I'm a csharp guy). 2. LinqPad. Using it every day and quite addicted. Until I get the same on Linux, I have to live in "two worlds". In (short?) time, Linux will be a M$ killer!