That's me.
I use my personal computer for Word, Excel, e-mail, Facebook, and my university applications - nothing too esoteric.
How long can I hold on to Windows 7 if Windows 8 is that bad? Usually a lousy release is followed later by a good release that fixes all the screw-ups of the earlier release.
***AND/OR***
Can I just keep Windows 7 until Linux becomes easier to transition over to?
Our company, with over 4000 users and many high security storage needs, is still on Windows XP so I do not think you will have a problem.
MS will provide security updates for Win 7 until 2020.
FWIW, I have concerns as expressed above about Linux but I would take it over the current incarnation of Win 8 in a heartbeat.
“Can I just keep Windows 7 until Linux becomes easier to transition over to?”
Not really. Windows 7 will stagnate as new versions develop. Linux has always promised “ready for the average user soon” and never has, and never will, deliver.
I’m upgrading to OS X from Windows XP.