Well, I got fed up with Windows and all its security holes, so I decided to upgrade to Mandrake linux.

The only problem there is is about using Office under wine. I know it is possible to do this, but I'm a complete noob and don't know how this stuff works yet...

Anyway, here's my question. I'm going to try to use the Sidenet wine configuration utility because I want IE as a backup incase any websites don't display correctly with FireFox. But using that (with wine 20050211) how well would Office XP or 2003 work? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Also, how would I install DCOM98? (I do have a valid Win98 license)

Hands down the simplest way to do this is via Codeweaver's Crossover 4.1

It seemlessly installs DCOM and other needed files while also installing and handling Office versions up to Office XP (2003 does not work.).

It also supports many other applications, such as Photoshop, Quicktime, etc.

Have you heard of OpenOffice.org? It is compatible with MS Office. And free.

Yeah, but it's not for me, it's for my friend who occasonaly comes over to type stuff up. He's more comfortable with Office.

Anything related to FSGENSIS? Or is this another Justin?

You could try OpenOffice 1.95. Your friend may feel more comfortable with it. I have got to the stage where, at work, when some twit produces a Word file with ridiculously formatted tables and I need to run Word to read/edit it I feel distinctly uncomfortable, especially knowing that MS Office is waiting to bluescreen at precisely the most critical moment.