Linux for complete and utter first time users

[L337Llama]

Right now, my brother is having me fix his girlfriend's pc thats pretty old. She lost the window's 98 cd and all othersoftware that came with it (im assuming this hasnt been formatted ever, and since its a P3 533, thats a long ass time) At least its for 256mb of ram.

Anyway, I was thinking of installing of linux. They are just going to be web browsing, writing documents, maybe watching dvds. Open Office can handle any document stuff they will need to do. I need the absolutely easiest version of linux to use humanly possible, with as little maintainence or managing possible. Just something thats set and that I can forget and hope they wont ask me to fix for as long of a time as possible.

ANy suggestions for what to use? I was thinking knoppix, but its been while since ive looked at anything else.

Thanks

 

[Vadatajs]

Ubuntu

Edit: possibly Kubuntu, depending on whether you thing Gnome or KDE is the best way to go. Etiher way, keeping the 2 up to date is very easy.

 

[Mesix]

Yeah, Ubuntu.

 

[timswim78]

A complete beginner? Try Suse or Fedora.
http://www.novell.com/linux/suse/
http://fedora.redhat.com/

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Dang, I hate to say it and be odd man out here...But I would suggest sticking with Windows(xp preferably) for them.. Go ahead and try Linux if you want (I prefer SUSE), But remember.. When something don't work or go their way, THEY will be calling YOU for help. If your skills are not up to task on Linux, This could get frustrating for you..

 

[Stretchman]

I'd have to second that. Gonzo makes some really good points.

I recently asked some questions on the Ubuntu forums about setting it up on my hardware. I had some specific questions like how to join a wireless network for internet and file sharing, setting up certain HP printers, printing wirelessly, ATI versus Nvidia chipset. The ubuntu community is absolutely awesome and totally informative.

They were up front with me, and as it turns out, there would be some significant hurdles to overcome, so if you do insall linux, ANY distro flavor, be sure to ask some specific questions about your hardware and software compatability.

 

[Brazen]

Gonzo does make some good points, but I would not rule out trying Ubuntu. Personally, I prefer Fedora, but for a newbie/non-power-user I think Ubuntu is a good choice. You have the stability and reliability of Linux, and Ubuntu (I THINK) makes it difficult for "stupidity" to screw stuff up.

 

[gwarbot]

Don't go suse or fedora. They are hell to set up. I would just stay with windows.

 

[imported_vdorta]

I have been using Linux on and off for five years and I would not suggest SuSe, Fedora or Ubuntu. With all of them you'll need to configure something and it will be difficult for a newbie. I would also recommend that you stay with Windows. If you have to try Linux, go with SimplyMepis.

 

[sourceninja]

I would say stay windows as well. As much as I advocate linux here, I dont think you have enough exp in linux (judging by your post). I think if you attempted to set them up, they would be calling you all the time and you wouldnt have the exp to answer their questions.

 

[silverpig]

Once you get it working (which is easy) using linux for those tasks is almost identical to using windows. Click on the menu button, browse the menu to your word processor, click, write, hit the disk button to save... It's simple.

 

[L337Llama]

I have very little experience with linux, most of what I've done came from messing with knoppix or using it when windows wasn't working right. Ill just put windows on thier computer, and Ubunto on a family computer so that i can learn more about it. Thanks for all the advice.