how to partition my hdd for win 7 and ubuntu 12.04

I'm totally new to dual booting but I need it so please help me partitioning my hdd.

I just got my new laptop with Windows 7 installed and I want Ubuntu with that.

I have one 750 GB hdd with 2 partitions: OS(C:\) and DATA(D:\)

I think its easiest to have just one partition for both Linux and Windows data, such as music right?? And further, how much space do my Ubuntu and Windows partitions need?

I believe I also need a swap partition with the same size as my RAM?

If you have other tips or suggestions, please tell me. I really dont know much about these sorts of things.

Edit

I just noticed I have 4 partitions:

• 1 OS
• 1 100% free data
• 1 100% free recovery partition
• 1 100% free that says boot, swap, crashdump, primary partitiom. (i believe because its translated)

What to do with this?

This is actually easier to do than you think.

You dont need much space for the windows and ubuntu OSs. The ubuntu livecd has a wizard that can walk you through resizing your windows partition as needed. It will also automatically create the linux swap partition.

I suggest you boot off the livecd and walk through the wizard, it will prompt you before it commits any changes.