Ubuntu and Debian Linux both have EXE files you can download to your Windows computer to install Linux quickly and easily. It appears that this install creates an image file and doesn’t attempt to repartition your hard drive. It also allows you to dual boot your operating system. VERY good news for beginners. If this process really works then the only excuse you have now not to try Ubuntu or Debian is lack of hard drive space.
Hat tip and big ole’ curtsy to Justin for the links!
Brian C. Russell 
I left that link figuring you’d see it. Occasionally I email links to people I think they’d find interesting, but I’ve been feeling lately like just neatlinking them to: people. I think del.icio.us has that feature built in…
Kool. Thanks. The del.icio.us tag for leaving someone a link is for:. ex. for:rubji