you don't NEED to use Outlook, Word and Messenger.............have a look at Open Office- it'll open all your microsoft files, and save them as microsnot formats if you wish (forget Works and Office) -- Firefox is the best browser, and the Thunderbird mail programme is superior to, and compatible with the windoze mail programmes (will happily import old emails, address books etc......)
I have NO problems at all with compatibility using Ubuntu and Xandros.
For Niki, if you really must run Windoze software, there are several programmes that allow you to do so in a "window" in Ubuntu
If you want to try the "cowards way", download "Wubi", choose the "ubuntu" download - leave it to download and install (can take AGES, it's 700mb), then you have a choice when you boot up - Windoze or Ubuntu.......I've booted into Windoze at most 6 times since going that route last year (only because I'd "forgotten" things)
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)