Does anybody have any information about this operating system? How much
does it run? Is there a place where I can see the lay out of it? What
makes it different then what I am using now (Windows XP Pro)? How do I
go abouts getting it?

I know there are a lot of questions here and I thank everybody that
takes the time to answer them. Just been hearing a lot about it and
would like to get some information on it. Thank you.

If you are talking about Linux then it is a part of the open source
software project. You can download it for free. It is quite different
then Windows is though and you may or may not be ready to make the
switch over completely. I would suggest you put it on a second pc until
you get used to it.

There are different flavors of Linux as well RedHat, SuSe, Debian to
name a few of them.

You can get more info on it at www dot linux dot org.

I personally use windows on my home computer but I only deal with Linux
on my web hosting. It is a far superior OS to Microsoft for serving up
web pages.

You may also want to look into XXAMP it will install a complete Windows,
Apache, MySQL, PHP If you are looking to setup a local webserver XXAMP
will probably be a good choice to help you to learn about most of the
different areas on most Linux installations.

It will turn your pc into a WAMP environment.

Just a few thoughts. Linux is an OS that is not mainstream and preferred
by many a geek out here. It is much more streamlined then Windows and
therefore faster. However it takes a different level of knowledge to
operate it well.

Whisper, If you prefer to just buy a CD (rather than download and burn
your own ISO) you can google 'linux cds'. I've used osdisc.com before
and was happy.

Also, if you want to just give it a test drive use a "Live CD" - it will
run the whole system directly off the CD and not touch your harddrive at
all, unless you tell it to. That way you can experience Linux without
installing anything - without changing your computer.

Kevin is right that many Linux distributions are much harder to use than
Windows, but some are nearly equal in difficulty, just a little
different. From first hand experience I'd say Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS are
fairly straightforward for newcomers - I've heard that Linspire is very
newbie friendly.

>> Is there a place where I can see the lay out of it?

Linux is highly configurable, and each of the many distributions have
their own configuration of the layout. Here are some example screenshots
of the "Linux-XP" dist:

http://linux-xp.com/gallery/

Just download Ubuntu. You can play with it!

Thank you everybody for taking the time to help me. Very much
appreciated.

The awesome one that I have found is located here.

http://www.mandriva.com/company/press/pr/mandriva_linux_2007_spring_spring_is_here



Also, yes real geeks in the real world do use linux.
Useing the KDE GUI interface, it is very simmiler to the 'windows feel'.
Alot of Apps are the same, and even alot of the high dollar windows apps
that you buy, has a free version included in Linux.
Ex. Microsoft office is around $300 bucks. However, open office included
in most linux OSs is free.

You can set up a dual boot and have Windows and Linux on the same HD.
That you can slowly migrate over to Linux. Thats what I did anyway.

http://www.knoppix.net

Boots off of the CD, no install, does not interfer with your exisiting
OS.

You can access the hd, but do not save anything to it or it will screw
up WindowsXP

Im considering the swap from Windows to Linux.
Have been for a while.
But nerves get to me all the time