Confessions Of A Linux Newb Part ??

I found a drawback of Linux. Yes sir.

My Linux server has been running for so long problem-free that I forgot the login. I have it written down, but I can't find it. Linux sucks. :D

I hosed my install of Windows XP by trying to apply a crack to Windows Products Activation AFTER the Genuine Windows Validation Tool busted me. See how smart I am?

So I took this opportunity to try Linux on my desktop. First I installed another copy of Windows XP, and then I went for Linux. I did this because according to what I read, this is the easiest way to get a dual-boot machine going. It should be easy, right?

WRONG.

I've heard Linux doesn't play nicely with ATI video cards right out of the box, so to speak. I have a Radeon X800XL. I figured Mandriva or Ubuntu would do just fine since lots of people seem to be using these for Linux desktops. I tried both, and neither one of them would start xserver (gui engine). I downloaded and tried several different ISO's and after a full day of trying different things, I just about gave up. I read lots of instructions on the Intarweb about how to configure the settings to run xserver on an ATI video card until you can get the drivers downloaded and installed. It was mostly gobbledigook, so I looked for another Linux desktop OS.

I found Freespire. Freespire is the free version of Linspire, the Windows look-alike Linux desktop being sold on computers at Walmart and Sams. Freespire purported to support ATI without configuration right from the get go, so I gave it a shot...

..and it worked VERY nicely.

I was able to create a new partition and format to ext3. I used the 'Advanced Install' to write the MBR (gives you the option to choose which OS to start up) during the Freespire installation. It was NEARLY flawless in setup and took a grand total of 15 minutes. Freespire even recognized every last piece of hardware in my computer right down to the USB 2.0 connections (Windows did NOT), integrated LAN card (Windows did NOT), and my ATI video card (Windows did NOT). Mozilla Firefox was already installed. I'm having problems finding Linux drivers for my Logitech MX510 mouse and my USB printer, Minolta PagePro 1400W, so if anyone has some rock-solid drivers for me, please let me know. Also, I was able to get onto my server's network share on the first try, and it was as simple as Windows to map the network drive.

I tried OpenOffice for the first time. It came preinstalled on Freespire. I opened a word processor doc and typed in a few words. Then when I went to save the doc, Save As provided the ability to save as a Word Doc. So, so, sweet.

This could get ugly for Windows. Very ugly. Before the transition could be complete, I would need to learn how to use GIMP (graphics editing), Thunderbird (email client), and find a way to get WOW to run on Linux, which I hear can be done.

I ask you, could this newb be going too far? Could he?