Comment 1744 for bug 1

"I never do dual-boot installations - tried it a few times and it is
additional complexity added. However, maybe I should try your way of
offering the dual-boot."

Martin, you are right it is more complex to deploy.
I have developed a method of deployment which seems to cover most cases and seems to be reasonably popular:

1. Basically repartition the current HDD to free a 10G space somewhere and install Ubuntu into that.
2. Then mount the original partitions into Ubuntu to appear as folders on the desktop.
3. Then install as much of the equivalent software and get as much working as possible.
4. Add a swap file into the Ubuntu installation (1-3G depending on free space)
5. Ensure Windows boots OK and make sure Ubuntu is the default.
6. Demonstrate to the user how to boot Windows and run through the Ubuntu equivalents, how to install software etc.
7. Leave them to it and be available to help.

Once you do this you find that after a few months of them on their own, they sing the praises of Ubuntu and wonder how they put up with Windows.

"The problems arise when you have people who are e.g. working as
freelancers and need to communicate a lot with other companies."

I am a freelancer so I have directly experienced this.
My experience is this is purely FUD.
I deal with agencies, consultancies and clients and all through I have used Linux machines to do my business.
Very rarely I have a stubborn customer who insists you use some Microsoft package.
Once I go round the roundabout of complaining it doesn't work (but not telling them why) they will allow you to provide a solution which works and move on.

"I myself are facing the biggest hurdles as I am running my Ubuntu in a
Windows-only environment in the office where whole IT department is
fully Microsoft-conform."

As a freelancer I feel your pain with this one.

Again I have a strategy for this, which basically involves installing Ubuntu into virtualbox on whatever equipment they provide, then after a couple of weeks setting up dual boot and continuing with that.
I usually avoid telling the client I have set up dual boot since this starts the FUD again, but they usually never ask.

--
So you are now asking why I go through all this pa-lava just to use Ubuntu and why don't I just put up with Windows and keep the client happy?

Again in my experience they thank the fact that I can keep near 100% uptime and connectivity when everyone else is complaining about their IT dept keep messing around with their machine and breaking it on patch Tuesday and locking them out of access.

On more than one occasion I have been asked by my line managers to perform tasks on their behalf since they can't do it do to their companies enforced IT policy, or simply because my machine is the only one still working in the office!

If you want support feel free to contact.