I don't use Backtrack or similar tools; the only tools I use that I didn't write myself are IDA Pro and Burp Proxy (if I'm doing websec work). As for switching

I don't use Backtrack or similar tools; the only tools I use that I didn't write myself are IDA Pro and Burp Proxy (if I'm doing websec work). As for switching OSes, the primary reason I did so is that my work for my day job all requires Linux. In terms of reversing, Windows is really the only way to fly; the tools just aren't there otherwise.