Linux is Slow

[Timothy W. Stone]

Hi to all:

When I compare the speed of Linux
(e.g. loading netscape, using star Office)
to my M$ win98, Linux is slower.  

This does not match what I'd expect from reading
most Linux propaganda...  ;)

I have a p-200 with 32 MB ram, red-hat 6.1, gnome desktop

Is my system under-equipped, or should I go looking for 
the problem elsewhere?

Where/how in the world would I begin to look ?

thanks!