For many, Microsoft Windows seems like the only game in town. Linux is viewed as too difficult for the average consumer -- a perception the Linux community challenges head-on with user-friendly distributions, commitment-free liveCDs, how-to-books, and articles like a recent four-part offering from ExtremeTech.

In part one of "Giving Microsoft the Boot," author Dave Salvatore explains what the home user will gain and lose by switching away from Microsoft products, and covers the basics of exploratory installation.

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