I currently run Ubuntu with Gnome on my one year old computer. For my needs, this distribution is too bloated. I only need smooth scrolling web pages on Firefox, a media player, and good looking fonts. Could you suggest any easy to use distribution that will make my computer run fast? Please note that I am absolutely terrified of the command line.

Ubuntu is always recommended for a beginner, however if u dont like it......there are other distros you can choose from, a few of them are mandriva and openSUSE both have their own configuration managers (mandriva control centre and YAST respectively) and also excellent media support. You may never have to use the command line for your needs.....

You might as well go for Slackware.
It will do what you want and bring you face to face with your fears.

Ubuntu has become possibly the best distro for new users...
OpenSUSE and Mandriva are too complicated and with too complex configuration tools.

I agree that Ubuntu is "easier" for many reasons. I do not agree that OpenSUSE or Mandriva are "too complex". Both are more "traditional" Linux installations and include a large number of software choices and normal *nix root account. I do not really consider this "bad".

Another vote for Slackware!!!

I just visited the Slackware site and read some of the documentation. Slackware looks way to difficult for my simple little brain. Keep in mind that I gave up Windows in part because it is too complex. You need to update, update, update, install security applications, and configure every application carefully to assure that they do not take over your computer.

Your still going to have to update, in fact I find I update more frequent when i do with windows, but there is no "auto-update" you actually have to run the update, it wont run in the background.

Because Slackware is so difficult, should I try a Slackware derivative or should I try something with an emphasis on xforce.

Slackware isn't difficult. True, it needs a bit more effort during installation. and a bit more post-install configuration, than Ubuntu. But nothing too challenging - if I can do it, anyone can. You could try Zenwalk, it's a one-application-per-job slimmed-down Slackware.

If I had not seen this, I would suggest something like Arch. Also, my impression is that Slackware is more dependent on the command-line than some others.

My personal mind-set is that it is better to get comfortable with the command line. There are many situations where it the fastest and easiest way to do something.

Arch is fast in operation--especially with something like XFCE. It is also very fast to install.

I second brianL's suggestion of Zenwalk--it defaults to XFCE and is fast. (I don't like its package manager (netpkg))

There's no need to be terrified of the command line, it doesn't bite. If you can type a post to LQ, you can type commands in the terminal.

Stay away from Slackware.

OpenSuse will probably run even slower than Ubuntu.

Mandriva might be okay.

Also take a look at SimplyMepis and PCLinuxOS, stupid-simple distros with all the proprietary multi-media stuff pre-installed. I am told Linux Mint is great also, but I have not tried it yet.

Smooth scrolling in Firefox ... this is something you need to tell webmasters. Nothing but hardware upgrade will give you smooth web browsing. I have a rather old IBM T23 running at 1130 MHz, some sites just kill it, e.g. www.formula1.com.

I suggest Puppy Linux 215CE (community edition) - although it comes with Seamonkey, Firefox is easily installed if you don't like Seamonkey. The "normal" Puppy 3.01 is fast but the 215 Community Edition has some nicer fonts and wallpaper. Puppy runs from a cd, so you can try it out and see if you like it. I find it very easy to use.

http://puppylinux.org/wikka/DownloadLatest