Linux Ubuntu 7.10 is simply awesome.

Ubuntu is free as it is open source, the download link is :

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Once you have downloaded Ubuntu 7.10, you will have an ISO image file. You will then need to create a bootable disc of the file.

This can be achieved by using Nero Burning ROM if you have it or MagicISO a free trial of which is available for download :

http://www.magiciso.com/

Once you have created the bootable disc, we are going to call it the LIVE CD.

Start your PC from the Ubuntu live CD, select start or install when prompted, once the Ubuntu desktop has appeared in the top left hand corner there is an option to install, double click and the installation screen will appear.

Once Ubuntu has asked you about regional settings etc. it will then take you into the partitioning table, if you select the default setting which is on the top, Ubuntu will then automatically sort the space it needs and install its own Grub bootloader.

I am so taken with Ubuntu 7.10, I have ditched windows altogether and I am now running Ubuntu as my primary operating system.

You can run quite a number of windows applications on Ubuntu using WINE, a piece of software that emulates windows. For details of this visit :

http://www.winehq.org/site/download-deb

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wine

Using Linux may initially seem daunting in places, but you will get use to it, I did.

You can also run Ubuntu using the Live CD without any kind of installation. However this will be somewhat slower and you would be restricted as to running applications, it would just for browsing the web really.

I work with both Ubuntu and Vista, Vista has been an expensive disappointment for me and sits mainly redundant on my hard drive and I consider Ubuntu to be far superior of the two.

I will break it down in to categories and give each system a rating out of 10.

System resource friendly :

Ubuntu 10/10
Vista 4/10

Graphics (Eye Candy) :

Ubuntu 10/10
Vista 6/10

Ease of use :

Ubuntu 7/10
Vista 9/10

Software compatability :

Ubuntu 4/10 (Open Source alternatives in some cases are available) also WINE as described above can be used.
Vista 8/10

Wireless compatability :

Ubuntu 5/10 (but is improving)
Vista 8/10

Networking compatability :

Ubuntu 7/10
Vista 8 /10

Security :

Ubuntu 10/10 (I run Ubuntu without taking any security measures at all, no problems try doing that with windows)
Vista 7/10

Gaming :

Ubuntu 6/10
Vista 8/10
This category sourced from various sites.

Office software :

Ubuntu 10/10 (Free)
Vista 2 /10

Price :

Ubuntu 10/10 (Free)
Vista 2/10

Overall performance :

Ubuntu 9/10
Vista 6/10

It should be noted that these ratings are based on my experience working extensively with both Ubuntu and Vista.

Enjoy.
References :
Personal experience.

Get Windows Vista Business

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions.asp
References :
A+, Net+ , AA EET

Check out http://www.microsoft.com

Have fun
References :