Your post didn't mention whether your computer is a laptop or desktop. I started using Ubuntu about two years ago. I have no knowledge of programming. I simply put a second hard drive into my desktop system and install Ubuntu. A few months ago I sent off for the CD of Kubuntu and did a clean install just a few weeks ago. I very seldom boot into XP and when I do it is only to make scans. Which leads me to the drawback to Linux. My Visioneer scanner will not work under Linux and you will find some of your peripherals will not work as well or at all without a lot of research and trail and error. I have spent weeks trying to get a webcam to work and my Epson printer, while it works, doesn't seem to have the control I have over it in XP. But the printer works okay for my needs and I can get the webcam to work sometimes. So these problems are very small and I can always boot into XP if I need to use my scanner or print some photos. The support you can get with Ubuntu and Kubuntu is truly amazing. When you have a problem it is easy to find answers by googling or posting to <a href="http://www.ubuntuforums.org" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"> www.ubuntuforums.org</a> or to this list. Another very helpful program is Automatix @ www.getautomatix.com/ With that program you can install software and drivers easily. I have really enjoyed Kubuntu and would recommend that you give it a try either with the CD-Live or installing it on a second hard drive. <div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> </blockquote></div>