Thanks MacAllcock and RobertG, I appreciate the replies from both of you and I agree that this can be a very complex issue.

A few facts that I probably should have explained initially may help narrow this topic and make it manageable.

1) The Mac OS is not an option. My dilema is only between using the Linux or Windows XP operating systems.

I am using a Lionstracs Mediastation X-88 Pro http://www.lionstracs.com/site/index.php . Linux is already configured and running on the mediastation. It is a very fast and reliable system for playing vst's and streaming large giga files (2 gigs and more) from the harddrive. The graphical user interface works well and is scheduled for an update with new features added in September. The only drawback to Linux seems to be that not all of the programs written for windows have complete linux compatability.

2) The second fact is that this is for a very specific hardware application. It is not going to be used on various PC clones using all manner of unknown devices but a carefully designed system that includes 12 custom daugther boards and an integrated control surface. So the factor of varying hardware and drivers conflicting should be minimized.

With these facts in mind could win xp give the same reliabilty and speed that I am currently accustomed to?

I know that compatability with "all" windows programs would be enhanced with win xp as they would be operating in their native os.

Which system will allow for the most intuative user interface?

Which gives the most flexibilty for future developement?

The Wersi OAS uses win xp, What are the pro's and con's being faced by wersi users?

These are the types of issues I would like to explore.

Thanks

Richard