Ubuntu

if u want to free urself from using illegal softwares, and wanna try another
operating system beside the crash-all-the-time windows XP, i recommend using
ubuntu (most popular linux distro for desktop).

some pros and cons compared to windows XP, (based on my own experience)

pros:
1. no need for antivirus, which eat considerable amount of memory and CPU time
2. major update twice a year, to encompass the latest features.
3. LOTS of nice applications, and mostly open source (free).

i can do almost all the things i usually do on XP, including:
1. BBS
2. P2P
3. mail client (outlook express on XP, evolution on ubuntu)
4. MSN
5. microsoft's famous office application(using openoffice)
6. audio&video
7. browsing (firefox feels exactly the same on both OS)

you see that if u're using ur PC/NB just for these general purpose, ubuntu
is more than enough.

4. the spec requirement is not high ( especially if u compare it to vista)
5. The GUI is cool and better compared to XP (i haven't used Vista,so i don't
know how it feels).

cons:
1. if u use some unusual hardwares, u may encounter drivers problem.
2. u can't play most PC games coz they're exclusively designed for windows/mac
3. u need some knowledge of using command line (command prompt on windows XP,
though command prompt's functionality is extremely limited).
4. Software installation can be a complicated task because of dependencies or
insufficient knowledge about how linux works.

those are some i can think of.

Lots of tips and tutorials can be found on ubuntu's forum.
http://ubuntuforums.org/

Here's some positive responses using ubuntu compared to windows XP:
http://linux.sys-con.com/read/382946_p.htm
http://aaronjlynch.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/6/13/Ubuntu-VS-Windows-XP-part-2
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=199201179

u can find a lot more by just googling "ubuntu vs windows"


Here is a demonstration of the cool new GUI desktop of Ubuntu based on
Beryl Project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD7QraljRfM