Having followed this thread , I have 4 distros on 1 HD : Lubuntu 12.04
,Ubuntu 12.04 . Mint 13 and Mint 14 ,all with their own /home folder. I
like them all .Perhaps I am not a power user (whatever that means) but it
seems that I am ´magically drawn´ to the Ubuntu Unity desktop to which I
have added the Cairo-Dock.
I can move any files from any distro /home folder to any other distro /home
folder.
I am now in the process learning to use the Tonido Plug, a home server
with embedded Ubuntu Linux which has just a 240/120V-AC power entry , an
ethernet socket and a USB2 socket, the latter connected to a USB hub with 2
fitted 64GB memory sticks for storage instead of a HD with moving parts .
I probably will use a normally off-line HD for occasional back-up .
My advice to Windoze users wanting to migrate to Linux is to start with
Lubuntu ,which can be happily installed on desktop/laptop machines up to 10
years old. (P4 or equivalent CPU with 512MB RAM)

My best wishes to you and all frequenting this Group for a HNY 2013