I have been reading some reviews for lycoris and for Lindows. Has anyone had any experience with either of these and if so which one would you recommend. I want to start dabbling in Linux but haven't up to this point. Any suggestions?

Just an overall suggestion: if you want to start dabbling in Linux without any commitment, you should get a Knoppix or Gnoppix Linux live-cd. You just boot from it, no installation, nothing. Very good to just see what it's like. (The only huge difference between Knoppix and Gnoppix is that the former uses KDE and the latter uses GNOME, hence their names.) -zeroguy

i agree with the live cd concept but if you still want to go the hd install route yes ive tried both one thing you have to understand about linux is basicallly there are a few branches based on how software is installed as far as that goes debian based distros are best (lindows is a debian baded distro) you dont have to wory about missing piesces every thing is done for you in the background but as far as concept eas of use beauty etc lycoris is better its only draw back is its a redhat based system but there is a port of debian technology for redhat based systems called apt4rpm if you decide to go with lycoris i recomned getting this usefull app installed other wise when you go to install a package right in the middle of isntall it might gripe that you need ot download something else with apt technology if something else is required its automatically downloaded for you so you dont have to keep hunting for components like i said lycorisis only draw back is its redhat history infact they did such a slick job that during the install they had the forsight to include a solitaire game while you wait like i said they paid attentino to the small details all in all lycoris its free and its a more solid distro

I don't think Lycoris is free. At least they wanted me to pay on their website anyways. I like the idea of dabbling around without having to install, but I am thinking about building a computer solely to run linux and experiment with it. I read that Lindows is more compatible with Windows based programs (still not great though) and will play most games. I don't know about lycoris though. Any suggestions about running games?

To run games you're best off with winex (go to www.transgaming.com and they have a database of how well certain games will run). I would personally suggest one of the major distros like mandrake, redhat or suse rather than something trying to imitate windoze. Eg I think on lindows you HAVE to be logged in as root (like administrator) which is not really recommended. FYI I think lycoris is an offshoot of Corel linux.

I downloaded Knoppix and I tried to burn it using Nero. It crashed during the burn process. How do I use this now that I have downloaded it?

dont copy the iso file to cdrom what you do is in nero select burn fomr image iso format is an image of a cd so when it shows the explorer interface you navigate to the folder you saved it on by default with nero it wont show select the drop down tab and select show all files now the iso will show click on it make your seleccitons wait for it to burn and your done ps to 3dave if your refering to my reference to their roots i was specifically relating to package management wich rpm is a redhat system (they developed it)not corell and if i recall it lycoris was previously redmond linux (an offshoot of redhat)