Hi all,

The wife wants a netbook, i think ! small laptop thing with limited features?,for work..sorry for vagueness.

Anyway, she asked me about Linux, and if it's compatable with Microsoft Word..

..there's my problem, i've no idea, never used Linux, so i thought i'd ask you guys.

What are the ad/disadvantages of using Linux and should we even bother or stick with windows?

Anyone got a Linux for dummies guide! Cheers, Dave.

if it's compatible with Microsoft Word.

Since you are vague in your query. "Linux" covers a lot of turf. I will direct you to a link which shows how Open Office is Compatible with Microsoft Word. Open Office can be installed and in some distros/operating systems come pre- installed like Ubuntu and Xandros which comes on Netbooks. Stay away from any Netbooks that have Linspire installed on them. That operating system is now discontinued and hard as heck to install applications on now because the repositories are not maintained any more.

What are the ad/disadvantages of using Linux

Advantage. Speed. Tweak ability. Windows Malware will not execute in Linux. Free.
Disadvantage. Windows mindset interferes with understanding how things are done in Linux. Hardware vendors won't release source code so drivers have to be reversed engineered to work with some Hardware.

Anyone got a Linux for dummies guide!

Linux is not the Operating system. Linus Torvalds is the guy who wrote and is still writing kernels for GNU/Linux Operating systems
Arch
Crux
Slackware
PcLos.
Redhat
Ubuntu
GNUSense
Fedora
Opensuse
Puppy
Mepis
Mint
Tiny Core
Slitaz
Are all different Linux Operating systems and have a what you call "Linux for Dummies guide" for each operating system. Once you start using a GNU/Linux operating systyem. You can google online for all kinds of guides. If you look through this section of the forum. I have posted all kinds of Useful links to info on Linux. Good Luck with it.

Hi,
Thanks for your link:
How to Create Documents in OpenOffice Compatible With Microsoft Word | eHow.com
That is what the wife was looking for, so she is a happy bunny now!

Here is the 'netbook', CnMbook:
CnM Lifestyle Products - Technology for everyday people!

I've been researching Linux so here's some info if anyone's interested/new to it:
www.tiger-computing.co.uk - What is Linux?

HowStuffWorks "What is Linux and why is it so popular?"

We'll have a play with it and see how we go haha.

Cheers, Dave.