Hi Barbara, If screen reading is not a consideration, linux every time. reasons? 1 xp reaching the end of cycle and when windows 7 comes out it will be two versions behind so not sure how long will be supported. 2 cost - linux is free and open source so will never have to pay for software upgrades or new software. 3 speed - linux is usually faster and smaller than windows so will generally run more efficiently on a lower spec machine. Operation for a beginner should be no more difficult than windows. You get a gui interface so no need to learn the command line although, to be unbiased, there are more windows users so will be easy to get help. Also, linux is probably more secure. Virus writers tend to concentrate on windows where there are more users to affect. Note you can do as much on linux as windows, open office will allow similar facilities to office but is free. Hth. Incidently, I am writing this on a linux box. regards Keith ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq