Im an extreme noob to linux and i know nothing about it, other then its an open source OS. And that there are many versions of it including the one i been hearing about the most Ubuntu.

Should I even bother? I really want to try another operating system other then windows. Is it compatable with most full screen games? Like diablo 2, Warcraft 3,counter-strike.

I know I can keep windows but...how do you do the whole dual booting thing? And do I have to repartition my HD? Does this mean I'll have to format and reinstall windows again?

What can linux do that windows already does? How hard is it to use linux?

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

"Should I even bother?" That's ENTIRELY up to you. I can't tell you. I dual boot and prefer Linux and that's entirely down to me.

"I really want to try another operating system other then windows" Then try some LiveCDs. These will boot from the CD-Rom and leave the Hard Drive totally untouched. Probably the best source is FrozenTech's LiveCD List at http://www.frozentech.com/content/l...

"how do you do the whole dual booting thing?" Can you look at some online videos? See "Your first Linux experiment" at http://tips.linux.com/article.pl?si... and "Dual-booting Windows and Linux the easy way" at http://tips.linux.com/article.pl?si...

"do I have to repartition my HD? Does this mean I'll have to format nd reinstall windows again?" No. I put in a second Hard Drive. Windows goes on Hard Drive 1 Linux goes on Hard Drive 2 - simple. You can change the partitions on one Hard Drive but it is slightly more difficult. Windows stays and does not need to be reinstalled.

"What can linux do that windows already does?" It would be easier to ask what Linux does that Windows does not. See "Why Linux is better" at http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

"How hard is it to use linux?" Rember! Linux is NOT Windows. If you spend as much time learing Linux as you have already spent learing Windows it should be simple.

"Is it compatable with most full screen games? Like diablo 2, Warcraft 3,counter-strike." These Windows games will run on Linux using "Wine"

An alternative to installing Linux is to install a Virtual Machine on Windows and run Linux there.

Don't just install an OS unless you know what you are doing. Consider using MS's VirtualPC.

Consider makeing a Ubuntu Cd. The current one is a live cd. You run it from the CD without any change to your hard drive.

There are plenty of other live CD's from linux, to Zeta live 1.21 and BSD's and QNX, maybe skyos, meneutos and others. All have pluses and minus's.

Unless you have linux apps you are limited to some degree. Linux is still not ready for windows users in my opinion. (please don't flame me)

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you goober.

Im on the unbuntu live cd right now as I speak and i can say it really is different. I like it. Though the commands are a little intimidating I'm sure I can learn them.

Is this distro best for FULL SCREEN gaming for the games I stated above? or is there another distro that is better for full screen gaming? Or do I need to just install WINE?

That is what I use this computer for mainly is internet surfing and gaming thats it.

hehehe i forgot to mention i downloaded the wrong version the 6.10 version. I see it wont have long-term support >< so i may get 6.06 instead, depending on your answers to my previous post.

ohh ohh ohh how do I put it on a 2nd hard drive? Because i just remembered I can use my older hard dive (40 gb) for windows and my newer (200gb) for linux or vise versa. Im planning on formatting anyways.

Want to watch more video online? Watch "How to avoid viruses by using free software to create a virtual machine" at http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay...

By using a virtual machine you can fully run Linux within Windows without "installing" Linux seperately

All though DUAL boot is an option what I do here is what you now have in mind and that is to run Linux on a 2nd hard drive and just use the boot selection from BIOS, In my opinoin no need to mix OS's on just one hard drive if you have more than one to work with.
Disable the first HD you are using now, hookup the 40 and install Linux....
What does Linux do that Windoze cant....act as the BACKBONE OF THE INTERNET among other things.....enjoy

Keep the old stuff running

Ok, Linux is exactly the same as windows in a lot of ways but...

-There is limited support for things like games and media

I'll just give you an example:

You want to watch a DVD... hmm, simple right? Wrong!

You have to download the source code and libraries for a player and it's from end then install it from the command prompt using the ./configure ./make ./make install routing, which will fail 90% of the time as you have missing / incompatible libraries.

An Ubuntu install will install GRUB, which will automatically give you a boot menu.

Still, if you want to code c and never have a system crash (ever) then install RedHat Enterprise.

"You want to watch a DVD... hmm, simple right? Wrong!

You have to download the source code and libraries for a player and it's from end then install it from the command prompt using the ./configure ./make ./make install routing, which will fail 90% of the time as you have missing / incompatible libraries"

NO! NO! NO!

To watch an encrypted DVD just install libdvdcss

:/ You guys didnt answer my MAIN question though. WHAT DISTRO IS BEST FOR "WINDOWS LIKE" GAMING???

Sorry I can't help there as I am not a gamer

Keep the old stuff running

If you are a gamer than Linux is not really the OS for you.
Games supported on Linux are few and far between. There are very few games you can install natively on linux.
Don't get me wrong, it can be done but if you are a noob than it's a pain in the the a**e IMHO.
You can use Wine or Cedega from Transgaming to install but the compatibility ratio is still pretty low.