Is there a Linux Distribution that can sit on top of windows? One where I load up Windows then run an emulator of some sort that will give me a Linux enivronment. One that will run Linux applications. When I shut down Linux, I'm back in the windows environment. I'm not talking a LiveCD version.

All of them can by using something like VMware; http://www.vmware.com/ and no need to shutdown. But if you just want to play a bit first;

http://www.vmware.com/download/player/

http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/community.html#OS

You could try Cygwin. It's pretty easy to set up

well all linux distributions can run on top of windows provided you use a emulator like vmware, but there is another distribution(don't remember what) which co-exists in windows vfat partition. I used that distro years ago , now it is upto you to do some googling.

Why do you want to run Linux in an emulator? I never want to generalize, so I'll say most Linux distros can be installed in a dual boot environment. This way, when you boot your machine, you'll have a choice between Windows and Linux. If you do a dual boot option, make sure you load Windows first, then Linux. Linux is much friendlier to Windows that the other way around.

Another option, if your starting from scratch, is to install Linux and use an emulator for Windows. I've never used one 'cause I just use two PCs, one with Linux and one with Windows. I've read that the Windows emulators (e.g., WINE) often times run Windows apps better than Windows.

Of course, depending on what you're doing, there's always the multiple PC option. Old PCs are cheap and if you break Linux you don't have to worry about hosing up Windows trying to fix it. I'm assuming you're looking to "give Linux a try" to decide if you want to make the plunge.

There's other advantages to the dual PC schema too. Both of your kids can play Runescape at the same time...no fighting!

Could you be thinking of ZipSlack?

Make that NEVER run Windows apps better than Windows....WINE (and the commercial version: CrossOver Office) is pretty marginal. In some cases, it will run things almost as well as on Windows. I use Crossover for a few things, but evertyhing that I really NEED it for has some kind of issue. At work, I simply keep a Windows laptop in the closet for emergencies. At home, dual boot.

coLinux is what you're looking for

Actually I find that MS Office runs faster under WINE than it does natively in Windows.

Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop? Quite the opposite; much slower.

DVDShrink? Much faster under WINE.

It is very specific to the application in question.

Not to split too many hairs, but the question was "better". In my experience, all apps running under wine/CrossOver have some kind of issue--even if it is just font rendering.

Off topic lads (or otherwise)

Where do I get it? I tried looking for ZipLinux but you have to download 4 CDs worth of data to get at it. I'm not a hardcore Linux user. I just want to have a look round so installing Linux then Wine is just toooooo much...

What am I, Google? Type it in, first result...

Check out Puppy Linux

Edit: never mind, I didn't read the opening post carefully enough. (Is there no way to delete a post here?)