How Can I Try Linux?

Whatever your level of computer expertise, it’s likely that there’s a way you can try Linux. I’m going to list as many ways as I know about and I hope there’s one here that will work for you. If none of these methods will work for you, or if you have anything extra to contribute, please add a comment.
The easiest way to experience Linux is with a live CD. To explain how a live CD works I must first say that your computer has two kinds of memory; your hard disk drive is your permanent memory, call it long-term if you like, and your RAM stores information while the computer is powered up, short term memory as it were. When the computer is powered down anything in RAM which hasn’t been saved to the hard drive is lost. In “tech” vernacular, RAM is volatile memory and your hard drive is non-volatile memory. When you boot your computer from a Linux live CD, the operating system is loaded into RAM, your hard drive is totally untouched and the CD is used as non-volatile memory. Linux will run slowly, because the computer can’t normally read data from a CD as quickly as it can from your hard drive and in some cases your computer’s BIOS will have to be reprogrammed to permit the computer to boot from a CD but don’t let that intimidate you; if your computer won’t boot from a CD you can probably figure out how to reprogram your bios using google and some patience. Failing that, you may be able to find some help. More on that later.

I’ve found two Linux distributions which claim they can coexist with windows, as though they were Windows applications.   This is an interesting concept that might be worth investigating.   I’m assuming you’d need to be a fairly knowledgeable Windows user to try one of these and even then you’d have to do some research to learn whether you’ve sufficient disk space for one of them.   Still, here they are for your consideration:
Phat Linux
Topologilinux

If you’re like me, you’ll want to keep your Windows system in a near pristine state until you’ve decided whether or not you’re ready to make the “big switch” and you’ll find live CDs interesting but inadequate for giving you a “real world” notion of Linux.   If it comes to that, you’re simply going to need another computer.  I’ll say more about that in a moment, but first, if you acquire another computer, you don’t necessarily need another mouse, keyboard and monitor.   My wife and I each have two computers, one Windows and one Linux, which share a single monitor, mouse and keyboard through the use of a gadget called a KVM switch.   The “K” is for “Keyboard”, “V” is for “Video” (i.e. the monitor) and “M” is for “Mouse”.   With a few keystrokes we can switch from Windows to Linux.  A basic 2-port KVM switch goes for around $20 from any of numerous online merchants.   I’m not comfortable recommending any particular merchant but if you’re unable to find one drop me a line and I’ll tell you where I bought the KVM switches we’re using.

It’s not necessary to go out and purchase a new computer for your Linux adventure.   You may have an old computer stuck in the back of a closet somewhere or ask around, one of your friends may have an old computer they’ll let you use. Failing that, every computer shop I’ve ever seen has several nice used computers on their shelves and, in many cases, they’re willing to sell them very reasonably or go to eBay and type "computer, used" into the search window.  Most up-to-date Linux distributions are happy with just about any 500 MHz PC computer that’s got at least 128 MB of RAM but more-is-better if you can find it.   My own Linux computer, for example, is an 800 MHz AMD Duron with 512 MB of RAM while my wife’s Linux box is a 1.7 GHz Intel Celeron with 512 MB of RAM.
What’s all this MHz, GHz stuff anyway?
Ok, how about MB?
Ok, what’s RAM?

Still To Come:
Which Distribution Should I Try?
How Can I Get Help With Linux?

Stay tuned…

Don Crowder