I'm currently running Win 7 off of a SSD with a normal HDD being used for data/downloads/etc....

I want to dual-boot Linux (installed on the SSD) and also use the normal HDD for Linux data storage. I don't mind having to change the partition size of the normal HDD (or the SSD for that matter).

Can this be done?

Also, do you suggest Gnome or KDE? I hate, hate, hate Unity...

As long as you have a free partition to install the Linux OS to you should not have a problem. The linux OS can read ntfs and fat file systems via built in kernel modules so you should not run into any issues mounting your secondary drive inside the Linux OS.

Take a look at Cinammon for your GUI:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/...sktop-cinnamon

Like Kustom42 said, shrink the Win7 partition on the SSD to create some free space, and install Linux on the free space on the SSD. The HDD should be accessible within Linux without any changes/modifications, no need to mess with it.

I tend to agree with the above help. I might use windows to shrink the drive but that is me.

You can also consider a free virtual machine to run at near native speeds. It may be the most simple way if you just want linux running fast and safe.

Knoppix was the king of live cd's for a while. The author did linux users a very good favor. His work on live cd's and extending to live usb's allow a person to try out and regularly use a distro. I suggest you get a few live cd's and see what you like. I use usb's as native installs all the time. Some seem quite fast enough on common systems.