Hi Andrew,
well, I think the Lilypond-Homepage should be updated so that the latest "developer"-version is strongly recommanded. Compiling a sourcefile is a batchjob, so where is the harm done when it crashes?
I use windows myself for several reasons (there is software that works on windows only e.g.) so I don't ask that question. I am considering changing to Linux but did not do this step until now, it is a big change of habits. The good news is that younger users seem to prefer Linux, both my kids use it.