I want to switch my programming platform

I have worked as a ASP.NET developer(Web) for 4 years and I waked on Desktop applications as well(WPF).

As everyone knows many things are taken care by .net framework and by Visual Studios, as days passes I am feeling that, in future, I will not be able to develop anything with out Visual studios.

Even I have interest to work in C and C++, because I can interact with hardware and OS. and I like Java as well.

In .NET I have a confidence that I myself can develop Web or desktop applications of my own(as per customer requirements) and I can sell it outside, I can become independent.

But I don't know if I switch to other programs like C, C++ and Java applications.

I am very much interested in Linux. But I don't know what all things I can develop over there.

I heard that in Linux, target of any development is Server(most of the development is for server), like web applications, embedding applications, then what about desktop applications. And there are many open source applications are available in Linux, so will I be able to get job??

I don't want continue in C#.NET. Could Anyone suggest me, can I switch to Linux? If so, which is the better programming language I can select and what all different applications I can develop over there i Linux??