Needing to Install a Linux OS

Guys, I need to install this Slax OS; good for work and it's only 185mb.

Now, I have to know about 3 things.

1, Will i have to re-install my printer?  It's an Hp psc 1209 all in one.

2, Will, and CAN i still run such windows software as word and powerpoint?  Kinda required here.

And three, Will i need to reformat my External HDs?  They have all my fiules backed up for the reformatting, but can I access those files if they were stored via windows?

>>13
Uhm, yeah, the zealots are asswipes, but they are justified
Open-source knockoffs?!  GIMP came before Photoshop dumbass.
Can't play games? *Ahem* *Points to Cedega and Wine*
Driver issues?  Not as much as Windows.  Most drivers are pre-installed and ready to go.
It doesn't melt the computer, this guy is probably an idiot and screwed something up.

>>15
People don't use it because they don't know about it or are lazy.  I can't give it away?  It's free (most of the distro's anyway).