[bigdcaldavis]

If you're a "poor college student", I recommend you try one of the following (these are free) :

Xandros 3.0.2 Open Circulation Edition
Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake
Kubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake
SimplyMEPIS

Xandros 3.0.2 OCE has some limits like DVD burning is disabled and CD burning speed is restricted to 4X max...but these limits can be overcome by adding the Debian repositories for Xandros 3 at

[bigdcaldavis]

Forgot to list the site...it's at http://www.archlug.org/apt

[rzeznikj at stout]

Thanks, but I have things picked out (going for either Scientific Linux or reinstalling Slackware)--just can't boot from CD because the drive is fried...8^)