Linux is rising in popularity, especially as the graphical interfaces available make the OS much more newbie-friendly and, quite frankly, more like Windows. Traditionally, setting up Linux was a chore and a half. Now, different distributions are becoming more and more easy to setup. Xandros and Mandrake are thought to have pretty easy install routines. However, you can run Linux on your machine without actually installing it to your computer by using LiveCD. Basically, this has the entire operating system on your CD and you actually boot the computer from your CD-ROM and run Linux from the CD-ROM. The drawback is that you will experience lags in operation because of the CD-ROM drive spin up and spin down. But, combine LiveCD with a USB storage device or some other form of external storage and you have yourself a fully working PC setup to carry around with you anywhere you go.

To get started with a LiveCD, head on over to www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php to download one of the available LiveCD distros.