Yes, you can use linux on your PC without installing it - Just download the VMWare Player (virtual machine) and Play the image of (e.g.) the Ubuntu O/S. I did it in order to test how my website looks in Mac, which is exactly like it looks on Konkueror.
Challanges: 1. You will have to install Gournal - which I don't know how to do. I'm not a linux expert. 2. Will this configuration support pen recognition? It remains to see.