One of the things that I was able to do this semester was install a linux distribution onto a desktop at the LAIR which I used for this semester. It is a very simple process:

• First, choose which distribution you want! I chose Linux Mint 14 because I hadn't tried it before and I want to try out as many as I can to find the one that I really enjoy the most.
• Next, get that copy of the distribution onto a Live CD/bootable USB drive. I use usb drives because they are easier to keep track of and carry around than a Live CD. I use http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/Universal USB Installer to install the distro onto a usb drive.
• The next step is to restart the computer with the usb attached, then press F2 or whatever you have to press to bring up the bios. From there, you have to find the boot menu and adjust the boot sequence to have the computer boot from the usb drive first. Save and Exit.
• It should boot up at this point, so follow the directions that will come up and you should find yourself operating a brand spankin' new setup!