5punk

Right, so my sister's computer fell over a while back (Viruses etc), it is currently running windows xp, and basically needs a clean slate. I was wondering what good linux alternatives there are? This computer will only need to do a limited amount of things: Go on the internet (Easy, it'll have firefox), Go on MSN messenger (AMSN or some other equivalent), do *some* word processing (Not utterly necessary, but possibly open office?), and read emails (Thunderbird).

Seeing as there are linux apps to do all the things this computer needs to do, I just need to know what's a good simple/nongeekified linux that my mum and sister can happily use. As you can see, its not going to be used for much, so the stripped down it is the better, cos that'll make it easier.

One last possible issue, this will connect to a wireless network, will there be suitable drivers? Or does it just work? I have no idea myself.

(I felt pretty dirty using the windows icon for this topic, but its the closest thing we've got)

ISTR knoppix is the current <strike>IMPURE SCUM OS</strike> linux of choice

From my very limited experience of linux Ubuntu seems to be a good choice. Most of the annoying command line crap and compiling everything isn't needed with it. It has a really cool add/remove programs thing that basically lists loads of free programs and all you need to do is pick one and it'll automatically download and install it.

I can remember trying some Knoppix a couple of years back, and thought the bootable from CD thing a bit gimmicky. So i didn't give it much of a chance. And with Ubunutu, I quite like the look of Xubuntu. It looks rather simple, and possibly macesque.

Use ubuntu, it's lully.

I recommend trying Ubuntu as well. You can boot off the CD and try out the OS before installing it, see if all your hardware works.

They are both based off debian, Ubuntu has a version that can run from a CD which is a quick and nondestructive way to check if all your drivers work.

Knoppix has a very strong geek following though, so it's a good one for getting free help with.

Alternatively, RedHat is more bleeding-edge, in that it is more likely to have driver support for newer stuff, but it does have a lot of updates. Leaks memory a bit, though.

SuSE is another choice, perhaps a more solid, less changeable platform than RedHat, but with equally good installation options for basic setup.

What they look like isn't all that relevant, as you can pretty much run any Window Manager with any Theme on all of them.

Ubuntu was the most painless Linux install I ever had, and I 99% of everything i had worked, surprisingly. I believe they're going to release a new version pretty soon, too.

I tried to move my Mum over to Ubuntu but in the end we went back to XP. She just didn't like it as much. Things like playing music from network drives was a PITA.