"Question: If one were to do the big shift from Microsoft Windows software to, say, Linux, what should one do about all the files he has accumulated throughout the years, all written in Microsoft Windows software? Can these files be read by Linux? Will there be any loss of data, or perhaps corruption of the files?
"Answer: This is actually three related questions, so let’s take them one at a time. First, back up all the data files created with Microsoft Windows software, because you will most likely still be able to use them even when you move to Linux. The most common data files that people create are word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations and graphics files—artwork or photos. Most of these file formats created by Windows programs can also be read and written to by equivalent programs in Linux."
