Luckily we use 110VAC @60hz instead of the 220VAC @ 50hz they use. Less flicker noticable from the bulbs.
I use them around the house. The 5000K temp bulbs though since soft white looks so horrible. It saves a little energy and lets me stick more wattage in a fixture to make a room brighter.
The last time I was at Home Depot, they were selling the 100 W equivalent 5500K (CF) bulb for $12 -- but were selling an entire desk lamp fixture with Happy Eyes or Bright Eyes bulb of 6000K quality for $20.
With the the quality of light from these bulbs, I don't need reading glasses. I think most vision problems are due to poor lighting quality and these reading CFL seem to be the best quality lighting around -- producing virtual sunlight quality without the heat.
I like the LEDs for portable lighting -- and since they require so little power to run, those with the hand crank can provide lights for substantial time enough to perform most tasks.
Lighting really needs to move into the space age. The incandescents are little more advanced than open fires.