I need to go linux from window

[miscos]

I have a small network of windows, mostly used for internet-surfing (my lan share internet through ICS of gateway winxp machine). All clients have web-browser/yahoo- msn instant messenger/ ms word/excell etc and acrobat reader. I want to install linux in my client computers with above functionality i.e. web-browsing/ some office package/ chat clients/ acrobat reader etc.
I am still reading and reading to know if Knoppix is choice for me and if I can start linux from cd and can use my harddisk to install the above applications with a proper conf file!

[rickenbacherus]

I have a small network of windows, mostly used for internet-surfing (my lan share internet through ICS of gateway winxp machine). All clients have web-browser/yahoo-

Konqueror, Mozilla, Opera, Dillo, etc.

msn instant messenger/

Gaim (there may be more Instant messenger clients- I don't use em.)

ms word/excell etc

Open Office, Abiword, Kedit.

and acrobat reader.

Acrobat reader, xpdf

I want to install linux in my client computers with above functionality i.e. web-browsing/ some office package/ chat clients/ acrobat reader etc.

Easy enough to install and Knoppix has all that you want.

I am still reading and reading to know if Knoppix is choice for me and if I can start linux from cd and can use my harddisk to install the above applications with a proper conf file!

If you install Knoppix you will install all of the packages I have listed above. I'm not sure what you're asking when you say "proper conf file".