okay, first things first, all the things i run on my windows xp computer, i expect to able run them on a linux computer. i dont mind having to do a few things with the OS in order to get the programs to work, but if a program will not work on a linux system, then im forced going back to windows. i dont want to do a dual boot, so thats out of the question. whats the point of having a linux system, if i still have to keep windows on my hd just when i want to ditch windows? it doesn't make sense and its a waste of my time having to reboot my system when i want to run a particular program.

now to the things i do with a computer.


i typically play half life 2/battlefield 2, etc type games. I need to have office suits (open office, got that covered) and i have to set up my network so i can transfer files between my desktop and notbook. I also need the capiabilities to print from my notebook wirelessly, to my printer. there are currently no drivers for my printer, which is a canon S750. Is there a linux website that has created a driver for this printer, cause there isn't one on canon's website? i also had a problem wtih my Zoom external mini v92 modem back when i tried linux. the driver wouldn't install (and now there isn't a driver on zoom's website for this modem).. so has linux created a driver for this or have a universal driver for modems?

i think that covers the basics. i'm sorry if i come out strong against linux, but thats simply b/c i relay heaveily on my computers and everythings has to work and intergrate with one another 100% (and yes things do intergrate 100% with windows) but i am willing to give linux another try. but before i go find one with biases and such, could someone recommend a flavor that best suits me. Please recommend one that is at least somewhat simple to install.

thanks

from that first sentence, don't bother. if you insist on using all windows programs, then stay with windows. that's not the right attitude to take when there are ususally perfectly good replacements for linux for most win32 programs. blanket use of wine deies many objectives of using something other than windows.

from the rest of what you say, there's nothing interesting there, any modern distro will do fine.

linux has got really effective replacements but they r not yet evolved like the windows counterparts. has far as gaming is concerned then i recommend u stick to windows. linux is power users and people who dont mind tampering/experimenting with the system.

u have to sacrifice a little migrating to linux but the overall gain is much more. its ur choice.

thanks for the suggestions guys. i'll probably just give linux a try and hopefully i can figure out how to get my printer/modem to work.

thanks again

Well, the only problem I see is the gaming, the rest go fine.

I use Ubuntu 5.10, easy to install, easy to add on new programs you want to run. Pritty compact and fast.

GL
/PiTom