I know that I'm repeating myself, but I add this to each CFL thread:
Write the installation date on the CFL ballast, so that you can track if you are getting reasonable life on them.
Take the time to demand warranty replacement for bulbs that don't last. They have gotten so cheap that it isn't worth the time from a direct dollars point of view, but the companies won't fix reliability issues if there are no complaints.
Learn where CFLs make sense in your house and use them, but keep other lamps where they make better sense. Lamp efficiency is only part of the equation. Lamp life, number of starts, reliability at reduced temperature, lamp toxins, etc. all should be part of the equation.
IMHO less efficient lamps should be 'pre charged' for a fraction of their future energy use (possibly in the form of a voucher that you have to buy with the lamp that can be used to pay your electric bill). Lamps with toxins should be charged a deposit to ensure proper disposal, etc. IMHO it is reasonable to level the playing field a bit so that people think about the best lamp for a particular application, rather than just getting the cheapest lamp.
-Jon
