I have really spent days reading up on linux and I still have not courage to install it on my computer. I know that there is possibility to use some live linux cd just to see it practically, and I am considering using some (thinking about Knoppix). The thing I want to know will this live cd harm my windows XP operating system?
Do not be afraid to try it (I also recommend you to install some linux distro). It can not harm your XP OS. All you have to do is (I bet that you have already read it) to boot Knoppix live cd. When you get familiar with graphical environment on some other linux distro, I bet that you would like to learn and use text mode.