Luis wrote (among other things)

>I blame society...
>best regards
>                Luis

Good idea, Luis! ;>

As for Linux, as mentioned already by Francisco J. A. Ares, get Knoppix.
Get it now. Check it out!

Why?  Because it will answer all your questions but one.  Here's how.

*Knoppix CD will load up and run Linux without writing *anything* to your
hard drive.
*Knoppix will test *all* of your hardware for compatibility.
*Knoppix has Open Office - rough equivalents to MS Office so you can find
out if it does what you want
*Knoppix also comes with many, many other applications for graphics,
multimedia, internet, etc.
*Knoppix can be installed permanently to your hard drive if your want
*Knoppix can help you set up a multiple boot system to keep your MS product
and use both

As for which version to get if you like it but want more than Knoppix has,
I have no experience with any of them other than Mandrake. Mandrake
installed 100% no problem with multiple boot to run Win98 as well.  It
supported all the hardware I had and the gui is more or less exactly like
Windows. In other words, painless to setup and try out.

Source: ??? I purchased mine through

        http://www.cheapbytes.com/

They have Knoppix for US$4.99 and the 3CD set of Mandrake 9.2 for US$6.99
so it doesn't cost much to do your part to bring down the evil empire and
crush them like a bug.

hth,
Tom

ps: see messages over the last month or so on how free software will
destroy society.

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