Open Office will read and write MS Office documents so you don't need Word. OO comes with most Linux distributions.

You can set up a dual boot if you want to keep Windows and run Linux. That is what I did with my laptop. I created some extra partitions so I can try out new Linux distributions without disturbing my working Windows and Linux partitions.

Peter

I had the same situation. I wanted to try Linux but needed to keep Windows XP for running Turbotax. I bought this Inspiron 1100 in 2003 for my daughter but a year later, she had to have a Mac ibook 'cause that's what all her friends had. So, I took over the Dell. I replaced the 20GB stock drive with an 80GB and added RAM to 768MB. I installed Windows on a 12GB partition, setup 2 FAT32 partitions for data and put Ubuntu on a 12GB part. I only boot Windows to do my taxes, now. Linux is my O.S. Ubuntu was the first distribution I tried that did not have to have drivers or other software hunted down and compiled to make all the hardware work. Well, Knoppix came pretty close. I think if more people would try it, they'd find out they don't need Microsoft, either. Who needs "tech support" when you have the entire Linux community to fall back on? But, there are always the manuals to read for yourself. Best wishes for a successful Linux experience, Alex Ubuntu 6.10

If TurboTax is all you are keeping Windows for, ditch it. Intuit offers an online version of TurboTax that works in most browsers (including Firefox on Linux). It may even be free for you, depending on your yearly income. HedgeMage