For those of you souring at the thought of MS next OS (XP) and looking for an alternative, you can check out Linux Mandrake 8 Beta 2.
MandrakeSoft is proud to announce that the beta 2 of the upcoming Mandrake Linux 8.1, "Raklet", has hit the mirrors. Sticking to the path opened by the 8.0 version, Mandrake Linux 8.1 Beta 2 provides a bunch of innovations, more user-friendly and breathtaking tools, and --as always with a Mandrake distribution-- highly up-to-date software. However this beta release is not intended for a daily use, it is issued for debugging and test purpose. Please keep in mind that it is an experimental distribution.
Everyone is welcomed to participate in the Beta test cycle.
News source: Mandrake 8 beta page
Download: MD 8 beta 2 (US download location)
Download: MD 8 beta 2 (Australia location)
Download: MD 8 beta 2 (Europe Location)
This is BETA software!, please use caution when installing it on your system