Ok I have to questions. One is what is the best type of linux/which one can be compatible with XP or is it not possible? And I mean by this by partioning 1 harddrive with linux and the other with XP so I could use Linux and XP on the same computer. Is that even possible to do? Plus why is Linux better then XP or worth getting?

Any Linux distribution can dual-boot with Windows. The standard "newbie" distributions are Mandrake, SuSE, and Fedora Core (formerly RedHat). All three make it easy to configure a dual boot during installation. Both Mandrake and SuSE can shrink your Windows XP partition during installation, but I don't think Fedora Core can. Don't try Linux if you're expecting a better version of Windows. You'll have to learn new ways of doing things, but once you get good with Linux, you'll like it more than Windows. I'll list some of the reasons I prefer Linux over Windows: 1. Security- I don't have to worry about the latest Windows worms, viruses, or trojans. Also, because Linux is open-source, anyone can find and report security issues. The code has to be held to a higher standard because the "bad guys" have access to it. People are freaking out now because Windows source code leaked, potentially causing huge security problems. In Linux, this would never be an issue because it has nothing to hide. 2. Stability- In the short term, Linux has better memory management than Windows, so I don't have to reboot every few days to get the best possible performance. Over time, Windows systems tend to suffer registry corruption and filesystem fragmentation. Linux has neither problem. 3. Control- If you dig deep enough, nothing is hidden from the user in Linux. People who are good at programming can fix bugs, or if they're not so good, file a detailed bug report. Rather than "hacking the registry" in Windows, Linux users edit text configuration files with English words, not hexidecimal numbers, for different settings.

You might wanna try a LiveCD linux such as knoppix first before you go and partition your HDD and then come crying here asking how to uninstall These CDs are great because its a full linux distro on a CD - no install required - just burn and boot

lest we forget that you are also not lining the pockets of Old Bill and are not supporting monopolistic business practices, at times down right sloppy program design and cultrual hegemony (er ok.....) Anyway, Mandrake 9.2 is very easy to use and very good (bit buggy maybe tho). It comes with a lot of programmes to play with too. It is also MUCH faster than windoze. I love virtual terminals in Linux and the ability to adjust everything. However, and I don't mean to be disparaging, if you are not sure about hardisk paritioning you might find linux a litle daunting as it is a bit more hands on than XP. E.g you use the command line sometimes. Anyway, if you back everything up, go for it! it costs nothing so u can always get rid!!