Well, I began writing a simulator quite some time ago, but had some problems with the GUI being too slow. Since then I've gotten involved in doing FOSS for PIC microchips and haven't gotten back to the simulator. Someday though...

As for whether there's enough special apps for Linux, it depends on what one's needs are. I haven't touched a Windoze machine in over four years except to test cross-platform code I write myself. Linux does everything I need. In contrast, Windoze is a PITA to use, and almost always causes my blood pressure to rise.

But despite that, I actually like Windoze. My wife brings in a good income keeping several hundred Windoze boxes running. If they were Linux boxes, she'd be out of a job. :-)