Hey! Which distribution should I install for my computer. I am using Windows Vista and I hate it. My computer is a Acer Extensa 5220 if its worth knowing. I use my computer for writing, music and movies. I really dont care about the graphics just that it dosent take much place and gives good performance. By the way, if I install linux will I loose all my music and documents??

I suggest that you get an external and back up before installing anything. That said movie editing in linux isn't that great unless it is real low end. Give super ubuntu, ubuntu studio, linux mint, fedora all a try. No guarantee on your hardware but if you like to tweak and learn then linux is awesome.

I am using Linux (Ubuntu) for one and half year, i never felt like using windows except to test some viruses. Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex is the latest one, I hope it should work. There is a really a good news for you(90% of the cases), Graphics in Linux are just awesome(mostly no graphic card needed, you need to install "compizconfig-settings-manager" and set the advanced desktop settings) You can do almost all stuff that you do in windows. But as a learner keep your vista and install Linux in separate partition, if confused install it in windows. Installing inside windows keeps your data safe but it has a drawback i.e., you can't read the Partition in which you installed Linux form Linux. I suggest you to make a "'free partition'" of 15GB and install Linux inside it. Connecting to internet is "sudo pppoeconf" command for broadband. Installation of any software, in this example I took 'vlc' "sudo apt-get install vlc" You need to type these commands in Terminal for shortest reach to terminal press Alt+F2, type the command and tick the checkbox below which says "run in terminal" and press Enter.