linux

the only problem i see is your all-in-wonder card. if it's a newer card that has a cx23881 chip, you *might* be ok there (drivers are http://bytesex.org/cx88/ ).. but i wouldn't count on getting something like mythtv running on it. if you are thinking about setting up pvr, i'd take a look at the supported hardware at mythtv.org and pick up a different tuner card.

other than that, you should be ok.

the major drawback to almost any linux distribution, including debian-derived ones like ubuntu, is the lack of support for "non free" or restricted media formats. for help in getting things like dvd's to work, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RestrictedFormats

i'm running breezy on my main linux desktop and have all the 'goodies' working just fine in it by (mainly) following the instructions in the starter guide. peer to peer support to help you get things set up can be found at http://www.ubuntuforums.org/

if you had xp on your computer previously would you switch to linux ubuntu?
is the main attraction............only ...................that ubuntu is free ............and thats why it merits a try over xp?
i dont really see any advantages with linux
maybe there even more drawbacks with linux because of miniscule support...........technical and popular numbers of use over xp
?
p.