

Most Linux distributions offer a “live CD” experience (does not actually have to be on a CD nowadays; you can use a USB drive). Basically when the computer turns on you tell it to boot off the USB drive instead of the drive in the computer. That way you can try it out on your computer before installing it and see if it works out of the box for you with its defaults. It will probably be a little slower running off a USB drive. I don’t think you can typically install additional programs or save things to the computer (someone more experienced might chime in), but you can try doing basic things like using the web browser or word processor.



I think I only ever needed a white shirt and tie. My younger brother was in band but when they performed with the string orchestra to give more of a symphony I think they actually did have some sort of suit, maybe tuxedo-like. That was all arranged by the school at the very start, of course.