if I could use Unix or Linux as my operating system.? I read in an article in "How Stuff Works", that Unix very rarely gets a virus because most of the worms, spyware, and other Malware are directed at Windows operating systems. Are these computers compatible with my other programs and E-mail I use? I use Microsoft Word a lot. Would I have to uninstall Xp in order to run Unix? Does anybody use Unix, or Linux? What's your experience? Thanks

You can use Unix or Linux on your PC. However, you will need new application software that will be able to run under Unix or Linux. Alternatively, you can buy an application that will simulate a Windows environment under which to run your existing software.

YEs, and not only are fewer viruses directed at Linux, the operating system ITSELF is more robust (single-kernal) and more difficult to hack.you can start with a "live CD" where the OS runs off a CD-ROM on your computer, then, as you get used to it, make a partition and install Linux on a seperate disk; just to see how you like it.You can download many different "flavors" of Linux here: http://www.linux.org/dist/index.html

www.linux.org

Yes, you can. You can also have more than one operating system installed at one time. Modern days linux distributions come with all kind of software like: graphics, internet (browsers, im clients, irc clients etc), office suits (like koffice or openoffice.org, education tools, etc.). I suggest trying a live distro (like knoppix) before making the switch so you can figure out if what you need. A live distribution is basicly an operating system that can be ran from a cd-rom or dvd-rom without having to intall it to the hard drive. After you've made up youre mind you can install the system on the hard drive. If you have trouble feel free to contact me using yahoo messenger: dany_a83 .Have fun

Ubuntu is a great way to go. It is free, and they will even send you free CD's if you can't download it for some reason (if you are asking a question here, I assume you are already online). For me, the best part of Ubuntu is the community. There is a great community of people from around the world, that are very polite and always happy to help answer any questions that you may have: http://www.ubuntuforums.orgEven though Ubuntu is currently on version 5.1 (Breezy Badger), http://ubuntuguide.org which was written for version 5.04 (Warty Warthog), is still a great guide that is very helpful as well.The Synaptic Package Manager makes it VERY easy to install additional programs, and most of them are free.There is a live CD (which runs from the CD, but is slower), if you would like to try it without having to install it to your hard drive first:http://mirror.mcs.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso/5.10/Give it a try, I am sure that you will like it. I installed Ubuntu as a dual-boot about 5 months ago, and I finally removed Windows about two months ago. I am here to stay.