new to linux desktop, need advice
 

I'm new to desktop linux and need help deciding what distro to use. I attempted to install Ubuntu and Kubuntu (this was a mess) but Ubuntu was ok.

This is my situation:
- using Vista Ultimate (love it)
- using Office 2007 (love it, aside Outlook slowness bug)

My requirements:
- fancy desktop
- bundled software
- ease of use (like Windows Explorer is easy to use, unlike "apt get")
- stability (important!)
- ability to run *any* Windows software such as Office 2007
- multimedia minded would be nice

What software do I download / install to be able to run Windows software?

Another issue in regards to 'easy of use'
- during kubuntu testing yesterday, I downloaded firefox. I had no idea whatsoever HOW to install this! In Windows, you just double click and it begins. In Kubuntu/linux, I double click and it extracts. Then there was nothing to from there! What am I missing here?

What do you think of these?

Linspire (commercial???)
Freespire
OpenSuse
Gentoo
Alinux

Is there any place/site I can see comparisons, screenshots and quality/performance ratings?

Thank you.

If you love Vista and Office 2007 so much, why not stick with it?

Your requirement "ability to run *any* windows software" almost completely rules out anything but windows. They are completely different OS's and don't always run the same software.

Some windows software can be run with an application known as Wine.

Good luck with your search.

Please see my first post again, I updated it.

Yes, maybe it was too far fetched about running any Windows software, but you get the idea.
Most software do not run on linux, that is why I asked :)

One step at a time!!

Kubuntu comes with Firefox--if you want the latest version, use the package manager (Adept or Synaptic) to install it. Once you have used a good package manager, you will see that SW installation is EASIER than Windows

Look here in LQ for distro reviews and screen shots on the right side of the pages here at LQ. Quality/performance reviews are very subjective in my opinion.

As for distro ideas for you. If you are new to linux, Gentoo would not be the way to go. It's been a while since I've used it. But, at that time, it didn't have an installer. It was all manual install. I have never used opensuse, but I have seen it. It looked ok and it worked.

Google for comparisons I am sure they are plentiful.

Good luck

Even in the context of this thread, this strikes me as an outrageous statement. For a very large percentage of common applications, the Linux equivalents are as good as their Windows counterparts--sometimes even better. Many Windows applications will run under WINE/CrossOver Office/Cedega.
I still have dual-boot, but almost never go into Windows.