MUSCLE New to smart card

[Sjgandhi00]

I totally new to smart card as a developer. I want to pursue my career in
that direction.

Few things to be consider:

I have pc with win98 os.
I don't have reader or smart card.
If i want to install linux on pc what should i have to do?
which reader and smart card will be easy to start.
I am planning to buy Java Card Technology for Smart Cards. by Zhiqun Chen
 published in June 2000.

My education background is in OOP.

I hope I will have good suggestion to start.

Thanks in advance.


Shilpa