Linux help

[eubuyer]

Linux
Ok, basically I want to install linux because I want to be different, and supposedly its better than Windows etc.
However I have some concerns. My school runs completely on windows XP, and microsoft word, and thus If I were to use Linux, surely all my work would not be compatible with the microsoft word, excel etc ehich all the teachers use, and surely a Linux laptop wont be able to connect to a windows network?
If I were to use linux I am not sure as to what distro I would use, I want one with a modern awesome to look at gui but all the features of windows basically, any suggestion?
Thanks

 

[slipondajimmy]

well you could always dual boot it. Keep windows and partition your drive to allocate a little space for linux. Ubuntu seems to be a pretty good distro from what im seeing.

 

[SJM211]

Definitely go for a dual boot system and get OpenOffice installed on your Linux partition - it has a bit of trouble with formatting occasionally but it can deal with Word and Excel files pretty well. As for distributions I use Fedora it's nice and easy to set up and does everything I need it to..

I want one with a modern awesome to look at gui

It doesn't look too bad either

 

[fab]

well you could always dual boot it. Keep windows and partition your drive to allocate a little space for linux. Ubuntu seems to be a pretty good distro from what im seeing.

How many space should I allocate?

 

[sacx13]

5 Gigs with all. Normaly for me 1 Gig is enough ... but Probably first time you will install a lot of unnecessary applications ... so 5 Gigz is enough.

Ubuntu is a good decision for start.

Regards
Adrian