I am sure that some of you by now are interested in how to go about this thing called Linux,there are some vary usefull places around that will help you go about trying it. You do not have to get rid of your windows, you can either partition the existing hard drive(remember its windows so you should defrag before doing so) or install it on a separate hard drive.You can even install more than one flavour of Linux on the second hard drive if you want to give them a try.You can see your multiple of choices HERE .
Gary has some very good info and links that you can follow at the other blog . And for those of you that would like to read a very simple install of it, read Tom's Hardware guide on how to . While you may well ask what is the best version? Its that answer you see a lot around here, it depends :) Don't be afraid to ask for a recommendation, and in the meantime give a bootable cd or dvd version a try, this in no way affects your existing O/S as it runs strictly off your cd/dvd.(so remember it will be slower somewhat) Mandrake move is but one.