New to Linux... thinking of using it

BTownTKD · 2006-02-24T16:43:06

Hey guys. I've never used linux before, but I hear it's a pretty solid product (in not so many words). So, I was thinking of converting one of my old computers into a linux box. If I were to do something like this, I'd definitely want some kind of easy-to-learn GUI... mainly what I want to do is set up my soon-to-be-linux-box to be a system that can store all my backup files over a network. If i put linux on that system, how would I setup my main windows-based computers so that I could mount my linux box as a network drive and copy files to and fro over my largely windows-based home LAN? Also... if I start to enjoy using linux, how easy would it be to set up some kind of windows/directX emulator to play all my favorite games, and would it run just as smoothly as the real directX? Lastly, what Linux GUI/distro/whatever (i.e. SuSE, RedHat, etc... you can tell I'm totally linux illiterate [which is ironic considering the amazing things I can do with windows]) would be best for me? I do a bit of programming with C++, I play a lot of games, I do a lot of file transfers over my network, and Ive NEVER USED LINUX BEFORE. (oh, and where could I find some nice tutorials for how to use linux like a pro?) Thanks guys...