I recommend you install Linux, which looks acts smells and tastes like UNIX, but it's Open Source. :-) See
http://fedora.redhat.com/download/ . Depending on where you live, you may have a more popular Linux than RedHat/Fedora... maybe Suse or Ubuntu. I've given you a link to Fedora but there are other Linux' out there, all good and useful for you but with relatively small differences.
You will probably want to create a dual-boot system. Review the above Link on how to make your PC dual boot, and how to install Fedora. Take your time... the learning curve is large, in my opinion. But soon you will be running Linux like a professional! Post to these forums if you need help. There are also good Linux forums.
Remember, Google is your friend. You can often find the answers you need by doing a Google search rather than waiting for answers here. For example, if you need to know if your Netgear FA310TX network card is supported under Linux, you can do a Google search for "Netgear FA310TX Linux".