linux advice

[nofx]

Hi, I am sure some if not most of you use linux or a distribution of linux. I am curious if linux really worth getting? I got a laptop from santa claus, and I want to learn learn how to program so I am planning to install linux on there. i have some questions though:

is linux worth getting?
can i still have a network folder between my xp peice and the linux laptop
will i be able to even have a network with wifi?
what are the benefits?
is linux really more stable?

thanks