If your BIOS supports booting from USB, you can try Ubuntu without the hassle of having to install it and all the partition troubles that come with installing a

If your BIOS supports booting from USB, you can try Ubuntu without the hassle of having to install it and all the partition troubles that come with installing any OS. All you need is an USB stick of 2GB. Instructions can be found here: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows http://www.ubuntu.com/download/help/create-a-usb-stick-on-wi... After that you just insert it before booting, go to your BIOS, pick boot from USB, wait for it to load and then pick "Try Ubuntu". You'll get the full blown experience of the Ubuntu operating system, and can snoop around and get a general idea of how it works. Should your interests not be met, you can just shut down the session and computer, remove the USB stick and it'll boot Windows like it always did. That's all there is to it. Should you however want to get your feet wet, I'd say install it as a Dual Boot, or install it on an older machine you have lying around. You'll get to see it come to life after using it for a more lengthy period of time. Don't worry about C#, Mono can suit you if that need must be met, and if you're proficient in C#, Java will be very easy to master. A year ago, I wrote my Master's thesis in C#, using a Microsoft Surface (tabletop). But I've shifted my attention to Ubuntu 12.10 and Android since, and that transition went very smoothly. As a rule of thumb: A computer should make my work easier, at the first glance that there has been a sacrifice in workflow or efficiency, I'm out.