<snip> > Having said that, both solutions are valid. I still recommend getting a cheap machine to 'play' on. No messing with partitions, no possibility of screwing up the existing Windows install, and trivial to wipe and reinstall a new distro. Also, keeping the working Windows machine untouched allows it to be used to surf the web or post and receive email to get help from this list.
It comes down to what the individual wants, but I'd give the same advice every time: LiveCD -> 'trainer' install on junker -> Real install What about cost? Well, older systems will run quite well with even the most recent distros. Even if they are not super-fast, everything will look right, and behave in the way it should. That is to say, knowledge gained from working on a slow machine will be usable when it's time to install Linux 'for real'. I believe you can get a reasonable system for much less than $100. Places to look are: 1) TradeMe Pentium III 450MHz w 196Mb RAM, 17" CRT and 7Gb HD $2.50 (but it's in AKL, though there are cheap systems listed in CHC) 2) Molten Media 3) Computer Broker (now part of Computer Future) 4) The SuperShed (no, really!) 5) Ask for dead/old/junk machines or parts here on CLUG Again, it might not be applicable in Alan's case, but still shouldn't be overlooked IMHO. A
