yeah I was a linode user for few years and am using digitalocean and I've never looked back. I think the droplet API is by far the most powerful feature, it's so simple to use and understand compared to Amazon. For example, if I need a new development box to test something out I can spin up a new droplet and shut it down when I no longer need it and save the money. It's pretty insane how much of a cost save DO offers.
That's one use case I can definitely see being for DO but doesn't make as much sense for me. I've just got the linode for handling random services (VPN, IMAP, WWW, and a few others) and need it up constantly. For dev work I've always got a local machine that has enough ram and storage to do that instantly right next to me and not have to deal payment for it.
This was my use case also until recently. Unfortunately, the dev box is behind a dynamic ip. I use a following service (dnsdynamic.org), but it's not 100% reliable, so when it became time to make things available to other players I went DO for a $5 box.
