I'd just like to point out that you can try most flavors of linux without even installing it on the computer.

ubuntu cds for example can boot from CD without touching the hard drive. and you can install progs from the net and surf and whatever. then when you reboot and remove the CD, its like before.

of course in the process you may like it so much that you decide to install it. and that is only a few clicks away.

but it works straight out from the CD without installing. handy as a recovery cd. even for recovering windows. he he. :)

Burnout.
Beware! :)