[freedumb2003]

Thanks guys!

I don't think I cam do the dual boot -- the machine is too old for XP (I ran that MS analysis program and it said nogood).

So this will be an adventure. Fortunately I have 2 actively working computers so this isn't a big risk.

I can always depend on my FReeper FRiends for good advice. You guys rock!

I'll ping everyone back when I get the whole thing running!

[MadIvan]

Just something you can achieve with Linux - this is my laptop screenshot, using an old HP laptop and Ubuntu:

With the latest Firefox, Mozilla and Opera (for variety) it runs very well.

Regards, Ivan

[N3WBI3]

Free,

Dont worry about dual booting if you really want to use windows you can downlad the vmware player and Ill talk you thorough building a windows virtual machene, who needs to mess around with dual booting anymore..

[L_Von_Mises]

I don't think I cam do the dual boot -- the machine is too old for XP (I ran that MS analysis program and it said nogood).

One nice thing about Linux is that it takes up little space. You can use the built in boot loader and run multiple linux versions on the same machine and they only take up a couple of gig a piece on your hard disk. That way you can install a few and boot into each one and see what you like.

One difference between the distros is the way you install additional software. Suse and Red Hat use packages called RPMs and debian uses a different method. With a Debian based distro you select the package from an FTP site and using synaptec, check the dependencies to make sure you have everything else you need to run it. If not it will download and install them as well.

It really is all about your preferences. That is the great thing about Linux - the choices are yours.