Just installed my first compact fluorescent light bulb.

[Acer]

Been using CFLs since the mid-1990s. I have had maybe 2 or 3 go prematurely, but always in fixtures that have a lot of quick on-off use, like a bathroom. Even with the loss, I am miles ahead.

CFLs have come down in price to the point where even if they fail well before their expected time, they are still cheaper to operate.