mike the wiz writes:
hey Legend, hi there, lurker-of-old, I like the sound of that thingymajigwotsit and will more than likely download it.
Linux is not just another download that runs under Windows. It's a replacement for Windows, not just another thingymajigwotsit. Do not attempt to download and install Linux casually. If you do you won't be in Kansas anymore, or for those in the post-WOZ generation, all the familiarity of Windows will be gone, it will be like trying to get around in a foreign city where no one speaks English.
I use Linux in my daily work. The number of Windows applications that do not run on Linux is legion. The number of people and discussion boards you can go to for help, compared to Windows, is sparse, and a significant proportion of them are using Linux for work rather than fun. While many things you can do in Windows can also be done in Linux, where and how you do them is not the same, so there's a significant learning curve.
I wouldn't recommend Linux as a solution for amateurs. As you attempt to get Linux up and running there will be many times when you're wondering, "What the heck do I do next," and if you can't get online then it's very unlikely that any of your friends or neighbors will be able to help you.
--Percy