[ale] Newbie and Dual install

[ringo]

I'm brand new to Linux but I'm taking a course at Ga. Tech that requires
I use the software from http://playerstage.sourceforge.net/index.html
which only runs on Linux. I have a Compaq laptop with a Pentium running
at 475Mhz with 192MB of Ram and 2 gig free hard drive space. It
currently has windows 98 on it and I would like to keep it because some
of my compilers and programs require it. 
Is this enough room to install Linux?
Which version do you recommend?
How hard is it to install it and keep the windows?
Is there a site that will walk me though the installation?
Thanks
Ringo