Actually, from reading the last couple of posts along this thread, you both seem like quite knowledgable and fair-minded chaps. I've been hacking away with M$'s products for so long now (mainly because, as Disk_Contented contends, because I more or less have to) that I guess I've almost given up hope of even considering alternatives.
Amusingly enough, I ran across this string via Google whilst searching for UT2003 Skins. I dunno why, but after reading it, I found myself signing up just to reply. <shrug>.
I'll admit, I fall under most of the 'misconceptions' listed above. I knew that most documents would work, and I knew of the WINE GUI, but I'm guilty as charged on the rest. Normally, I think reading something like this would only serve to educate me a bit more on Linux, but I've found myself increasingly irritated all day about something. In particular, it was regarding a certain event at a Windows enthusiast site (
http://www.windowsxp.nu/)
Check the site for details if you're interested (it's right on the front page), but suffice to say, I've realized more and more lately that I am incredibly unhappy, discontented and disillusioned with M$. Personally, I don't mind a lot of the actual Windows OS eccentricities (I run Win2K only and refuse to touch XP with anything other than a sturdy baseball bat. I hate that POS for many reasons). It's M$'s stance on a number of issues, their arrogance, invasiveness, casual assumptions, and the way they've managed to make the terms "Client" and "Customer" entirely synonymous with "Rape Victim" (Point in Case: M$'s Licensing 6.0 Pogrom (intentional mis-spelling)).
I know I've probably rambled a bit too much already, but in summary, I think what I want to say is Thanks. I've thought about it a number of times, but have never actually given Linux an honest shot. Well ... I'm about to. I think I'll take Protocol Droid's assertion that Mandrake is probably one of the easiest and go with that.
So, yeah ... Thanks.
G'night.
--Tony