Which Linux should I use
 

I want to replace win xp on a 6 year old Dell computer not sure which version would be the most user friendly.

Try Linux Mint xfce lts

Well, first of all, you may want to check out the thread'Win XP to Linux' because it contains a lot of useful information. Anyway, for a six year old computer, you might want to try lubuntu. http://lubuntu.org Another easy to use one is Linux Mint MATE edition. http://linuxmint.com

If you have a decent amount of RAM (2+GB) I'd go with Linux Mint, otherwise go with Lubuntu. They both offer a live DVD, so you can try before you "buy."

Hi. What computer, hardware and if a specific intended use (e.g: video-editing, general, etc,,,) always helps these questions? I like live CD\DVD\USB\SD\&c you basically run Linuces off of them instead inside of the hard drive to see how you like it and if you will need to install proprietary drivers for anything not working (due to poor hardware choices and makers but in your case brilliance for ditching microcoughed-windblow$ even if they make us do it. :D)

Check out the second link in my signature to see how (1-3 at lest.) Best wishes and have fun. :)

We need to know the RAM before recommending something. But beware of Ubuntu! The last time I looked, the installation disk only had the latest Intel video driver and an old Dell is probably using Intel chips. If that's still the case, you'd need to use a special trick to get Lubuntu to boot, and then install a driver later.

Mint is very good, and it will get by (Mate version) with 512MB. The Xfce version would be OK with 384MB.

Regarding "user friendliness" I recommend this excellent reading:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Basically any honest distro that supports your hardware will do. Your final choice will also depend on how deeply you want to learn about the inner workings of your system (the more, the better). For a good knowledge base, the following guide is also warmly recommended:

http://www.tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/index.html

Cheers

I would suggest this: After you have narrowed down your choices to three or four distros you are most interested in, burn live DVD/CD's (or create bootable USB sticks) of them. Boot to the Live media, then pick the one you feel most comfortable with. Once you have installed it, stick with for a while until you feel comfortable with how Linux works before you decide to try a new one.

I agree with those who think that Mint provides one of the easiest transitions from Windows, as Mint tries to create a desktop and menu that won't feel foreign to Windows users, but it is a robust distribution; Mint is what I picked for my younger son when I gave him a computer that I was "surplusing." Mageia might be another one worth considering.

Of course, I started with Slackware, and I'm glad I did.

I had to edit my post because I missed what me and the spellchecker did, big mistake, sorry. :doh:
http://distrowatch.com/search.php?os...&status=Active (...plus other search methods... ;))

I would add another vote for Lubuntu: http://lubuntu.net/
It is pretty easy to install and use, and is very light on resources.
Another option would be Bodhi: http://www.bodhilinux.com/
Bodhi is based on the LTS versions of Ubuntu, so a new version of Bodhi comes out every 2 years, and older versions are supported for 5 years: http://www.bodhilinux.com/about_bodhi.php
Bodhi is also very light on resources and has had very good reviews: http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?is...130422#feature
Bodhi also features the Enlightenment desktop, which is something different and lightweight that you may, or may not like. The new LTS version of Ubuntu will be out in April, so the next version of Bodhi should be out soon after that.

If you plan on using that computer for a while, then adding another 1 GB memory would significantly improve performance without spending much money.

I say (depending on if your at lest low level techie) cut to the chase and install it the way you want it. A lot of these distros are built on Debian, you can select desktop environment on install like KDE, LXDE, XFCE or inevitably most plus run more. If your more techie (or want to learn plus have more control, great for older devices++) start with a netinst or other build it to your needs distros. I just put Slackware, runs so well, on a IBM 2647 (T20 ThinkPad 700Mz-CPU & 128MB-RAM) I got at a thrift store for $20 paid $10 for the power cord found off the internet (it's so cool I may spend an arm and a lag for a battery because it's is of course shot) JWM, Firefox even VLC rock on it (but not all formats(HD.) and or the most part only one app at a time although RAMs cheaper than the battery) I almost don't want to resell it which is what I would normally do. :(

I've got a Dell Optiplex 740 with an AMD 5600+ CPU that runs Fedora 20 (LXDE and XFCE). Ran Lubuntu 14.04 (pre-release, obviously) on it for a while, but I prefer Fedora. Haven't tried running KDE, GNOME, Cinnamon, or MATE desktops on the Dell. I do have Mint 16 with the Cinnamon desktop running on my 6-year old HP s3707c. Neither computer is a speed demon, but they do run well.

Member Response
 

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!
Look at post #12 post in Linux in stead of Windows XP

Hope this helps.

thanks to all
 

I purchased and loaded linux Mint 16 Mate all works fine except for installing the system. I think my hard drive needs to be formatted in order for Linux to recognize it. Not sure how to do that. The drive has win xp system loaded but has 20 gb of free space original 80 gb hd.

The Mint installer should prompt you to format the drive as one of the installation steps. Have you actually tried to install it to the hard drive or are you just running it in live mode off the the cd/dvd?