This thread somes up why linux wont make it big anytime soon, an MCSE asking for help using it.
I have the same academic background and i also had the same issues with vista as you, but id rather cut my right arm off with a pair of rusty scissors than use linux again
using a command prompt is just going backwards. XP is just a great operating system, but unfortunately a victim of its own success in many ways. I only hope windows 7 will be as good and also hope one there will be a linux version for the masses.