As an add on to clive_pearce's reply above:
You should also create a Linux Swap partition (approximately equal in functionality to the Windows swap file), resulting in at least three partitions, One or more for Windows (ntfs or fat), one or more for Linux (ext3, reiserfs, etc.), and one Linux swap partition. Usually 256 to 512 MB is enough although it can be larger, but larger is not necessarily better since swap space that will never be used is wasted.
I also keep a home partition. When I upgrade Linux, my personal settings are preserved, even in a clean install since I never reformat it.
A little about the Linux file system:
The Linux file system is a single hierarchal tree construct starting with the root (/) or base directory. It or any sub-directory can contain files as well as other sub-directories.
Partitions are mounted to the Linux file system at locations (directories) called mount points in the directory tree. The main (base) partition is mounted at the root (/) dierctory. Additional partitions can be mounted at other locations as well.
Some common locations to mount additional partitions (and their general use) are:
/home user's personal directories and files
/usr programs and associated function libraries for system wide use (usually provided with the distribution)
/opt optional software usually compiled from source or programs that are not provided with the distribution
/var Generally contains information needed by the system and programs used system wide that must persist across sessions. Can include system data, software cache, the default mail directory, etc.
HTH,
Ernie Registered Linux User 247790
ICQ 41060744
