What is the best 'simple' Linux distro? (read body for details)?

Question

My parents are fed up with Windows getting slower over time, and want a simple Linux Distro.

They only need: Web/Email/Chat, decent compatibility with most image files (GIF, JPEG, etc.) and simplicity of use (they aren't that high-tech, if you know what I mean).

The PC specs are:

HP Pavilion a1203w
1GB RAM
1.80 GHz AMD Sempron
Currently running Windows XP Pro SP3
(Decent video card, although I have no clue what it is)

Our current preference is possible KUbuntu/XUbuntu or Ubuntu itself.

What I would like to know is: Are there any similar alternatives with less demand on the processor/RAM?

Answer 1

The most appropriate Linux distribution is the one you can get the most support for.



If you are the person configuring it for your parents, then it's whatever distro you're most familiar with and can most easily set up. If you know nothing about Linux yourself, then it's whatever distro you feel you can get the best help for. Take a look at a few tutorials for some of the most popular distros (Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, Fedora) and check out their online forums, too. If you feel that the community and documentation work for you and present things in an understandable fashion, use that distro.



Any distro can run just fine on those computer specs. And if you want something lighter-weight, you can use Xfce, LXDE, IceWM, or OpenBox (all lightweight graphical interfaces), which are all installable on all the major distros.



Personally, having tried just about every distro that made it into DistroWatch's top 30, I've found Ubuntu to be the best in terms of comprehensible documentation, simplicity, and forum support.

Answer 2

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 6 Main Edition which is Ubuntu based. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled.



You would be best off RUNNING IT LIVE so you can get the feel of things.



Linux Mint 6 Release notes

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_felicia_whatsnew.php



Linux Mint 6 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31



Once you have got the feel of things you may wish to consider an installation



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 6 (Felicia)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 6 then you need to create a Bootable CD from the ISO. This can easily be done using Nero Burning ROM or similar software. Linux Mint can also be run straight from the LiveCD you have created without touching your Hard Drive.





Remember you can RUN IT LIVE !





Currently running Linux Mint 6 ext3 with Compiz 0.7.0

http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/





LUg.

Answer 3

PCLinuxOS is a KDE distro that is "Radically Simple" to use! Check it out and download the LiveCD ISO from here:



http://www.pclinuxos.com/



I'm teaching myself how to work with it and it IS like it says!..."Radically Simple"! However, my local Linux User Group has been invaluable to me in the few places where I've gotten 'stuck'. Find a LUG near you for yourself and your parents to attend for the odd times y'all may need help by using this handy list:



http://www.linux.org/groups/



I hope this helps. Good Luck in your and your parents Migration to the Penguin!



EDIT: Well, I have some egg on my face! PCLOS changed their Desktop Environment to LXDE from KDE. I'm definitely going to give it a go, myself!

Answer 4

each and every of the stay CD does is that it is in basic terms meant to grant you a ideal point view of how the OS runs and what's looks like. Settings are not from now on saved upon a reboot- you will would desire to make certain it to maintain settings, etc.