karenteacher:

I've also heard that in fixtures that are turned on and off a lot, and that are on for short periods of time, CFLs don't last as long as they do in fixtures where they stay on hours at a time.

Our bathroom doesn't have a window so the lights go on and off quite a bit during the day.  So far none of them have burned out but it will be interesting to see how long they last.  Edey

 What I understand about CFL's is

   they cannot be on a dimmer unless they are the kind made for dimmers

   they cannot be in a 3 way unless they are the kind made for 3 way's

  they  cannot be in a timer unless they are the kind made for timer's

  they cannot be used outside unless they are the kind made for outside

  if they are in a base up application their life is shorter - for optimum life they need to be base down

  they don't like humid applications

  if you have older wiring in your house especially that before they used grounding, they will have a very short life (some say don't even use them there because they have blown)

it sounds like they don't have the flexibility that the old bulbs have

Those limitations make them downright finicky!  Edey

The overhead light fixture in my office just seems to  eat bulbs, none last more than a few months.  I gave up on CFLs, it only gets cheap bulbs!  But otherwise they last well, we use them all over the house and in the porch lights.

 I'll be glad when LEDs get cheap enough to use in the house.  We have an LED flashlight and it's excellent.