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Agreed :0) Assuming no extra machine, just install VirtualBox and throw a few different distros on until you find one you like working in. Then start using for daily tasks as mentioned above.
Once you have a handle on your everyday tasks, rip off the bandaid and either install along side of your current OS or knock it all over and use as main system
Get the Linux Mint User guide from here http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php
That tells you how to install and use it. Mint is one of the most recommended distros and a good place to start. I wouldn't recommend trying a lot of different distros to start with: it's more likely to confuse than enlighten!
If you're looking for a great distro to start with, try Manjaro or openSUSE. Both are extremely user friendly and don't include spyware.
Manjaro is very beginner friendly, has a wide variety of packages, and you don't have to reinstall every time you want to upgrade. For the gamers among us, it comes with Steam preinstalled. It has it's bugs and querks, but it's pretty good all around.
openSuSE is fairly beginner friendly, has a decent repo, and is rock solid (which is why I use it).
Also, if you're having trouble installing Linux on your computer (from drivers, whatnot) and you still want to use it, get a Raspberry Pi that is built to run Linux.
Last edited by Ihatewindows522; 10-17-2014 at 12:57 PM.
You could try running the 'distro' live from a CD/DVD and copying to a pendrive to see how it went, will not be as fast and will not have all the updated features but will allow you to test hardware and "likeability".
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