The purpose of this guide is to briefly state what `dual-boot` means, and list some resources on `dual boot` systems.

One of the neatest things you can do with a PC is creating a `dual-boot` computer.
A `Dual-boot` computer is a computer that has the ability to run 2 different Operating Systems at a given time (example - `Windows XP` and `Red Hat Linux` are installed on your computer, and you can select which one to run via a menu at start up).

Why?
Why would anyone want a `Dual-boot` system? Some people like to know they have a back up plan in case one operating system fails.

Others (myself included), love the idea of selection. Instead of being stuck to only one `look and feel` and one world of software, you can have the freedom to discover new desktop looks, new software that does amazing things, and heck... even experiment with building your own stuff!

I must make a note of course: Not all Operating Systems play nice with each other. Here is a brief list of Operating Systems that have been known to be dual-booted on a PC.

-Windows XP with any other OS supporting the NTFS File System (such as Windows 2000, or Knoppix 5.0.1)
-Linux (Such as Ubuntu, Knoppix, Fedora Core Linux, etc...)
-Mac OSX (With the use of Apple's `Bootcamp`)

How?

There are various links found at Wikipedia's definition for `Dual boot`. At the bottom of that page, you will find tutorials on dual boots.

NOTE: If you do not know how to partition a hard drive, please do not try this on your main computer. Always keep a back up of your data, and if need be, get a friend who knows about computers to assist you. Better safe than sorry I always say.