Energy-saving bulbs are definitely less bright than they are quoted on the box in their 'equivalent' wattage - the 1:4 wattage ratio quoted on one of those sites sounds a bit better. But I am convinced that they do last a lot longer than tungsten - I changed to energy-savers mainly because I was tired of changing tungsten bulbs every month around the house. So far I have only replaced a couple of energy-savers and one of those was just faulty.
One word of caution I would add though is that the "curly" energy-savers is that they are incredibly fragile and you have to watch how you hold them - especially with tight bayonet-fit sockets. They are made of very thin glass and they flex if you hold them by the glass - I cracked one that way
