"I think you need to be fair about this - Justapax was trying to explain how to obtain and install or test Linux (for free)."
Sorry I wasn't having a pop at the post - for those who are interested/able its very very useful.
It's a pity TBH that Windows is so bloated that people feel the need to use something different. I know quite a few people who have gone down the Linux route and they seem very happy - but it's not exactly plug ' play for the rest of us.
I use QGIS for occasional mapping work - (because I can't afford a personal copy of ArcGIS) - it works fine but it's not one I'd recommend unless, like Linux, you're willing and able to put in some serious time.