On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:41:40 -0500, Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:

If I ever get around to building a couple of new computers, I might give
Linux a try and reload all the graphics and video software over again.

The problem now is overwriting Windows on all the computers - don't
think I really want to do that - in particular in the middle of several
projects I've got going. But I am getting tired of the little Windows
glitches that keep cropping up even with XP Pro.

Well, if you really are interested, there are a couple of ways you can
go. Before doing anything to the hard drive, try a Live CD. It runs off
of the CD, and doesn't change the system at all. It will give you a
taste of what Linux is, but remember, because it is running off of a CD,
it will be slower than if installed.

I would suggest Ubuntu. It's modern, and relatively newbie friendly.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

If you like it, it can be installed from the same CD. It will partition
your disk, leaving your Windows install alone. If you have enough space,
obviously.

Personally, I prefer Debian. Perhaps it is not as newbie friendly, but
from the first time I tried it, I knew I found a home. ;-)

Anyway, if you do try Linux, let me know if you run into any problems.
If I don't know the answer, I know where to find the answer. ;-)

Plus I'm toying with the idea of getting a Mac for the graphics and
video stuff I've been doing - that's a maybe, but I'm being pushed in
that direction by some of my collegues and friends.

We'll see. :)

Nothing for nothing, in the early days, a Mac was it for graphics. I'm
not so sure that is the case anymore. The lines are blurring. One can
do just as well, whether on a PC, a Mac, or even a Linux system. It's
more the program, and one's level of comfort and expertise with that
program.