There are several types of CFLs.
One type using a magnetic choke to limit the current and operating at the AC voltage frequency. ( Mag CFL)
Another type is using an electronic ballast doing the job of the choke many times better. (ELCT-CFL)
The MAG-CFL hates MSW converters and may die soon, sometimes around less than 1000 hurs of life.
ELECT-CFL works with MSW well if the internal circuitry has a good storage capacitor to operate during the time the MSW waveform is not present.
Phosphors: there are two types of Phosphor CFLs.
CFLs with single Phosphor that have a much lower life, around 4 to 6000 hours.
CFLs with tri-phosphor that have a long life up to 12000 or 18000 hours with a much better white color.
Heat is the killer for a CFL lamp, specially if the lamp is down and the socket is up ( the electronic ballast is located between the socket and where the lamp tubing placement, with the circuit encased by a very small plastic form since the electronics is simple, two high voltage transistors with a small starting circuit and the storage DC Voltage capacitor.
Multiple ON-OFF switching is another killer that really shortens the lamp life, I do not remember now the life of the lamps versus the ON-OFF cycles but is quite damaging.
ELECT-CFLs with tri-phosphor should be the ones we should buy, though the cost is higher and one needs to find the right one.
The ELECT-CFLS do operate well with DC voltages ( 120 to 200 volts DC) for the 115 volts.
There is a third type and it is the electrode-less lamps that have more than 100,000 hours of life.
These lamps have a very special ballast, it is a Radio Frequency generator and the coil of the generator is wrap around the donut lamp that makes the RF to excite the mercury inside causing the phosphor to light up -- expensive and difficult to find because there is problems with the RF generated that is as well transmitted causing RFI ( Radio Frequency Interference) in radios near by.
So look for a lamp with tri-phosphor and electronic ballast for best life and light output, pay the added cost.
Regards
Nando