Hoping to Install Linux (debian)

Hello I've been looking into using Linux instead of Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
I've been using MS operating systems for a long time and haven't really seen or even had ago with a Linux OS.

I play a lot of video games and listen to lot's of music, bit of a hardware geek, frequently browse the web for interesting reviews and reads I'm not that great with software (sadly).

So that's why I'm here to seek some advice/help on what I should do. I've been reading from a different website about Linux and how it was first created and what it's all about.
So far everything sounds great, a alternative OS to windows that has the ability to run almost everything however, it does take some time to understand how it works so I've read.

I'm prepared to accept that it's going to be quite different from a MS OS and it will take sometime to get used to. I've read somewhere that to run most video games on a Linux OS you need another bit of software called WINE.

Now again I've also read (correctly I hope) that there are several different Linux OS's and they offer different capabilities. So here is my BIG question that's really bugging my little peanut brain! What version of Linux is for me and where the bloody hell do I get it

Hello,

I'd recommend Ubuntu, which is fast becoming "the" desktop version of Linux for new users. (I use it on my desktop & laptop)

Some games won't play through WINE, so personally, I dual-boot one of my machines with Windows XP, just for games.

You can get Ubuntu here:
http://www.ubuntu.com

They're literally about to release a new version, if you wait till friday next week, it will be released. I would recommend that you get the "desktop" install CD.

Theres a screen-cast here, which will show you how to install Ubuntu dual-booting with Windows:
http://doc.ubuntu.com/screencasts/Installing_Ubuntu_with_Windows_Dual-Boot

You can find lots and lots of screencasts here, which will help you with almost any task. If you get stuck, feel free to post. (You'll need to download an .iso, and burn it to a CDROM). There will be a "Get Ubuntu" Link on the front page, where the countdown is at the moment, or close to it.

Kind Regards,

Johnathon