my chances for success?

[Brendel, Rob]

Hi list -

I'd like to know how much expertise is necessary to get XFree-86 running on
my WinNT laptop -- I'm afraid I'm too ignorant.  I've dabbled in Linux --
had it dual-booted on my home PC with NT -- and liked what I saw.  But I no
longer have that machine, and now use a work-supplied laptop; and company
policy won't let me put Linux on it.  I can put freeware on, but not another
OS.

Under Linux I liked the multiple virtual desktops and the mouse behavior --
just kept fvwm.  Also, I got to like the nedit editor and LyX, the LaTeX
front-end.  So if I could get all that going on my laptop, I'd be very
happy.

So I installed Cygwin OK, I think, and the other day took a shot at putting
XFree on.  Got some connection errors that I don't remember now, hit the
archives and saw  posts with similar problems, but I have to admit I didn't
understand the responses.  So I'm beginning to wonder if setting this up
requires more expertise than I've got.  I've mostly seen Windows, and mostly
NT.  I was able to install binary packages in Linux but never even tried
compiling anything.  

Any comments on my chances -- should I just sit tight in WinNT and wait for
better days?

Thanks much,
Rob