There are LED direct replacement tubes available. No flickering, no warm up time and a choice of colours are available (i.e. warm white colours are available without that harsh fluorescent effect) and you save some electricity/cash with their lower operating costs.

http://www.earthled.com/DirectLED-t8-fluorescent-led-tube-replacement.html

No ballast, electronic or inductive types to worry about and no mercury exposure if you crack a fluorescent tube etc. You just rewire direct to the switch/mains and bypass the ballast/starter.

They are more expensive to purchase initially but lifetime costs are usually paid back with 5-10 years. From a safety point of view they are also safer if you live in earthquake country as there are no glass breakages if the older fluorescent tubes decide to fall from their fixtures.

There are also dimmable LED tube replacements as well if you want to fit an electronic dimmer switch.