In my particular case, I didn't become more pragmatic as consequence of my "linux needings". It still makes fun to play around with archlinux and make the system run with as low RAM as possible. However, I do not have the time or the mood to play anymore so long. Just wait until you get a child.. I swear you will become more pragmatic!

I consider myself one of those lucky people having a scholarship that is self denominated Non-refundable. The only thingthat my grant asks me as a payback is to work for my country at least one year after finishing my studies abroad. I think that's pretty fair. Generally in Europe, tuition fees are low or totally non existing, I guess that helps a lot!

Proof of concept: here I am killing the time while waiting or the train by reading Slashdot! and by doing so I am also destroying my long range sight (I need glasses for seeing far away but in short range it is still good). When will the dream of ubiquitous computing become true?