I want to try out a new operating system. I heard linux was free, but I am having a hard time finding an easy tutorial on how to install it. I noticed there were a lot of different versions. I really don't care which version I install. I just want something I can browse the internet virus free. I'm having trouble creating a "linux live cd". I would like to install it on the same partition as my windows XP. Is there anyway to install it without making a cd if this is easier. I have a 1 gig flash drive. I do not have open space to create a new partition. I do not want to buy a premade cd. Can anyone help me?

Consider a VM such as vmplayer or virtualpc.
Second or maybe first choice would be live CD/DVD's. Start with the Knoppix 5.1.1 CD or the 5.3.1 dvd. Just reboot and set bios to boot from cd.

"Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, are in my top 10

Forgot to set bios to boot from cd. I'm a dumbass XD. Thanks dude