No, it's much, much better. For one, there's no such thing as the Linux world. "The Linux world" is everything else in this context, which includes Java, Ruby, Python, Web, C, and dozens of different technologies. With the exception of the Java community, none of those communities come even close to being as insular. None. Every Ruby and Python dev I know has at least checked out Java and C# before going back to their primary language. Every Java developer has dozens (too many, perhaps) of choices for libraries, app servers, and even other language that run on the JVM. Even PHP developers have some notion of other tools used for web development (generally Flash and Flex). It's true that many of these communities might not have much exposure to deeper subjects of more dubious relevance, like CS theory and classic FP languages like Lisp, but they at least know and understand that there are other choices out there. Meanwhile, most MS-only devs don't even know about Apache, SVN, or even the notion of using a text editor as your primary development environment.