switching from Windows to Linux

I use the windows version for a limited range of image adjustments. Its very good at detailing and clarity-type work, and the vibrance adjustments and white balance control work well.

But its purely RAW adjustments tab is very limited. The OP referred to using much more sophisticated options, so whilst Lightzone is a useful addition for targeted things, I don't think it can fulfil the role of a comprehensive RAW converter program.

I promised a RawTherapee update on batch processing, and here it is. I have to say I am extremely impressed with the batch work I have been doing. So far I've been dividing my party shots into groups of about 5-8 which are similar in lighting balance and just processing those, but I know now I can proceed with confidence on much larger batches.

Briefly, the process goes like this .... I move the DNGs to a dedicated folder, then use the RT browser tab to view those. I open one in the editor and work through it applying the adjustments - I have found these of such high quality (especially NR & sharpening) that I have elimiated my usual 16bit TIFF output, and I'm just going straight for max quality JPEGs on the batch run.

Once the settings are made on the first photo you choose 'save profile' and give it a name. Back in the browser you select all the similar shots for that run, right click and choose your named profile which is then applied to all the selected shots. One by one you see the thumbnails get altered and can spot any that don't look OK and deselect it.

Then another right click, choose 'send to queue', then in the queue tab you set up your output options (ie JPEG, quality level, algorithm quality, save to folder), then click 'start processing'. It is slow - about 1 - 1.5 mins per shot, but it is worth the wait! Fantastic results, its saving me a load of time and I'm going to have masses more high quality images prepared than I could ever have got from my usual 'optimised' (ie individual in multiple programs) workflow

I have been playing with Darktable a little now and it is a nice tool. The interface takes some getting used to but that is the same for all RAW converters, Silkypix gave me gray hairs as well in the beginning.
The only real nag I have is not really a darktable issue, for some reason my 16-45 is reporting a slightly different name then some others so the lens correction plugin isn´t recognizing the correct lens.