And while Linux has a lower percentage of end-user deployment, the percentage is MUCH higher on internet servers (host systems)... cheaper, faster, and more secure than windows...

The only way to get good with it is to use it... after picking up management of several linux servers at work, I learned more in 3 months than 5 years of having an Ubuntu machine at home.... except that the home machine used WINE, and the host systems at work are all native linux apps.
Some will allow dual-boot so you can wean yourself off Windoze, or you could setup a VM (virtual machine) to run native windows instead of WINE, but now we're getting a bit more advanced configuration using hypervisor... and likely overkill unless you're hosting or have a compatibility problem with WINE.

Even Gaming is possible with most programs in WINE: https://appdb.winehq.org/