One More Time!

Ok, it has litterally been a year and a half since my last post... (sounds like a confession doesn't it?) I still have that old computer sitting with linux, still giving me grief, however the sitution has changed yet again! I WILL NOT GO DOWN WITH OUT A FIGHT! I just am going to go about it slightly differently. That last experement died... now for a new one. I will not let this get the best of me. I am even taking a cheezy online class made by canonical (http://training.canonical.com) to get this solved.

Requirements for a successful transfer:

1. Able to access network files (back and forth) from my existing windows server (I hope they have what windows called Offline Access, otherwise when I leave for work I have 0 files)
2. Able to access Wireless Networks easily and effeciently
3. Able to do FREE virtualization of computer OSes (gotta still have windows for some things)
4. Able to run some windows applications (misc stuff like a training program and testing applications mostly flash executables)
5. Able to use without wanting to go back to windows (yes, now I have windows vista and has a powerful pull)
6. Able to do my custom programming (ok, I know that VS 2007 won't be there, but I atleast need databases and LAMP to work correctly the first time.
7. Able to access an NTFS file system safely (for when I have to do a bare-metal harddrive connection to a screwed windows box I will need to access it via the Linux OS).
8. Able to see 3d desktops (yes, I do want the KEWL factor here)

I will be adapting a Windows XP modified Lenovo 3000 series laptop (specs to arrive later) that I use for training others in different areas. I am still debating if I will be using Ubuntu or OpenSUSE, but am leaning towards Ubuntu for simplicity. Here goes the next generation of death.... I will first be making a complete backup of the computer prior to creating the new system. I will not be upgrading it, it will be a fresh install. Everyone, wish me luck... Disks up.... tomorrow starts L-Day... the day I convert to linux!