[ILUG] Embedded vs PC version

[Carlos Luna]

Hello everyone.

I am very, very new to Linux so if I ask some ignorant questions, I
apologize in advance.

I've been thrown onto a project at work which involves a mini PC (Intel chip
on a miniturized motherboard, RAM, USB port, etc) and have been given the
task of finding a suitable OS for it.  They want to go with Linux and I see
no problem with that, since Linux is a very stable environment, according to
all the Linux-heads I've ever spoken to.  The requirements for this device
is that it has to be tolerant to being TURNED ON AND OFF from the power
switch.

Question 1: Is a normal distribution of Linux able to handle the possibility
of being turned on and off frequently without ruining the OS?

Question 2: Is the embedded version of Linux designed for a PC?  Or does the
device have to be some weird, proprietary type?

Question 3: Is there a way to boot Linux QUICKLY and load the software
necessary immediately?

Thanks very much for your help.

Regards,
Carlos