Not sure what distro to use for my mom
 

My mom's birthday is on friday. Her computer is older 1.8ghz athlon 512 megs of ram. She is currently running WIN98SE. I was going to get her xp home to install but I would like to get something more fun for her then lame $100 software.

I have used linux before a long time ago, Im not sure what version it was. I'm looking for something that looks just like windows. All she does is email, office.

If it is easy to use can run firefox, and open office Im happy
can you help me please?

I would recommend Linux Mint or Puppy... they are two of the easier distros for Windows converts. But be prepared to answer a lot of questions. :)

Any one of the more popular distros like Ubuntu and Fedora should do fine.

Of course no distro looks EXACTLY line Windows. It it possible to get it very close, though.

You have many choices...

The system is powerful enough to accept either the KDE or the Gnome Desktop. You might try out both of them by downloading and burning a couple of linux live-cds.

Try Ubuntu and Mint for Gnome, and openSuse 11.2 and PCLinuxOS for two versions of KDE. The colors and backgrounds, size of the typeface, etc. that will be displayed are easily changed, thus Ubuntu does not need to be brown, nor SUSE strangely yellow-green.

Remember to burn the downloaded file as an image file and to change the system BIOS to boot from the CD-ROM.

http://www.livecdlist.com/

If you are not up to speed on Linux, I would think twice about giving a Linux system as a gift. What will you do when mom calls and says it's not working?

Any distro will run Firefox and OpenOffice.

It doesn't have to be a perfect clone or anything. I just want her to be able to click Start or whatever and Internet Icon taddaa internet.

I have done lots of OS installs before its just been awhile.

I just remember that once I did get linux up and running it was stable and easy to use. I had it on some office computers for quite sometime.

Do they all have the same driver support for hardware. I built the computer out of my old stuff so I think its common stuff. Nvidia graphics card, 3com networking, probably an asus or gigabyte board.

If she has problems....
Ideally I will make her a restore disc that will reformat and reinstall just like new. She calls me all the time anyways its ok =)

The more stable the better though. She won't be installing that much anyways. Internet add ons, movie players etc...

O yea and I will still get her a present too, just something more fun than software.

If there is a Linux driver for your hardware, then any distro should have it. The only issue is that some will not offer proprietary apps, drivers, etc.

Check the mfg website also--Linux support is becoming more common.

whats the difference between gnome and kde. For some reason I think I used kde in the past.

I know everyone hates double posters. You guys have answered enough of my questions or I have figured it out. Just wanted to say thanks. I will try the suse ubuntu live discs. Worst case she gets stuck with 98se for another week or 2.

Thank you

It looks like you already made your choice but, as a suggestion.. on older machines I actually like to use the XFCE desktop instead of Gnome or KDE. It's more light weight and feels snappier on older equipment. If you would like to check out a distro with XFCE try http://www.xubuntu.org/

Try her out on a few live cd's and see if she likes it. People pick the disto. Some people just like the "looks" of them.

Ubunutu, you can get gnomenu, remove the top bar, replace the bottom bar with gnomenu applet and choose XP/vista. Then for appearance download the "redmond" style menus and the "atlanta" style window bars. It's not pixel for pixel the same but a windows user will know what's going on.

I still wonder why so many people that switch to Linux want it to look like Windows. What much does the color of the title bar change?

OPPS. I guess it was solved.

Try a simple distro such as kubuntu.
When you get to installing, be sure that you have another computer hooked up and follow the instructions.
Computer A- mom's computer.
B your computer.

Once you have picked your distro, come back here and ask for guidance on installing.

that is my plan. I am going to bring my laptop down so I can download or burn whatever I need if I happen to fry her computer =). Ive downloaded a couple distros. We are going out to lunch on saturday and I will try to do it then. Hopefully I don't need to come back and ask 14 trillion but we shall see.

Thanks again

the distro choice is really up to her
 

There are many choices to choose from. To convert my kids I have Mint 13 Cinnamon/ Ultimate Edition 3.4 and Zorin os5 and 6 on my computer my kids tend to use Zorin or Mint for there Ease of use and Zorin comes with Gnomenu preinstalled so one can make it appear like windowsxp windows vista and windows 7 Zorin and Ultimate edition come loaded with a ton of software and eyecandy is where Ultimate rules The reason one makes linux look like windows is for transtional purposes only. If your Mom just uses for Email Net and maybe a some office any distro will work I've been trying to convert my parents for a while they are stubborn but introducing software like Libreoffice which is ported to windows and chrome to them is easing things over so they will be able to take the transition more easily. My kids are 9/10 yrs old have learned how to use terminal build software from binaries and customize to their prefs and use scripts they have only been using for 6months and are trying to start linux clubs at school. Mint 13 is a little unstable if you go with Mint use Mint 12.

... and by the way, there is NOTHING more fun than software. get your mom round to this point of view :)

I wouldn't give my mother a used computer. I would try my best to get her a new one. Hell, the way smartphones and tablets are out selling desktops these days, you can find desktops for bargain prices. But if you can't get a new PC, I suggest PClinuxOS with the KDE Desktop, LXDE Desktop, or XFCE Desktop

Second, your mother will be lost with ubuntu with the unity desktop, lens, HUD and etc. PClinuxOS KDE is as close to a windows look as it can get.

lastly, PClinuxOS has a FREE monthly magazine to get the most of there linux desktop. Of course, you do not need to be a PClinuxOS user to benefit from the HowTos/articles in there magazines.

I'd just like to add that 512MB RAM is very tight for a modern GUI (Linux or MS). If at all possible, add extra RAM.

Look at the date on the first post. Since the OP's mother is two years older now, I should think the problem has been sorted out. :)

Didn't notice that. It also shows his/her last logon was on 02-13-10, so our replies to him/her was a waste of time. :/

Hello!!!! I wanted to install Linux on my mom's laptop because it was running slow and also she had malware, but first, I let her use my home computer which had Ubuntu 9.04 at the time. She liked the speed; however, she found it a little hard to learn. So, I gave her my laptop as a gift (Dual Core) and installed windows 7 on it.
If you want to go the Linux route, I would recommend Linux Mint 13 Maya. It is simple and easy to use. Ubuntu is easy too but Unity puts more load on the CPU and ram.
Good Luck!!!!

yes yu are right... I did not even looked at the date.... lol I just replied back. He probably gave his mom Windows xp.