Red Hat Linux can read from an NTFS partition with the right package and I read somewhere that it can even write to one if you specify the correct settings. I don't have the details on this. You can also read an ext2 or 3 partition from Windows with one of two freeware programs out there at the following sites:
http://www.chrysocome.net/explore2fs
http://www.yipton.demon.co.uk/
The latter may be able to write to them as well from Windows. I am not sure on this yet.