Just want to throw a question out there,

can you safely change the size of linux partitions? I have a few partitions with /usr /tmp mounted etc and I've found qtparted which is a partition magic clone.

In Microcrap Windows, you can adjust and resize partitions as much as you want in Partition magic and not really worry too much. Can you do the same in linux with ext3 partitions without screwing anything up.

If so, what is the best method to do this.

Thanks!

Changing Linux partitions is quite safe. How you do it depends on what distribution you're using. I have used HardDrake in Mandrake 9.1 to re-size Windows FAT32 partitions, converted FAT32 partitions to Linux reiserfs partitions, and have re-sized Linux partitions (reiserfs again). It is a very capable tool that it easy to use provided you take your time and think about what you are doing. I don't know about qtparted, but if it came with your distribution, then it's probably safe to use as well.

As with all fundamental operations you perform on your storage devices, it's important to backup all your data (both Linux and Windows, if applicable) before you change any partitions.