That will certainly help, but really I used Firefox and got plenty of viruses, you just can't stop it, it's inevitable unless you stop using Window$.

I was pretty lucky as I had a friend who was really good with Linux, and he showed me Linux stuffs way back in time, and because of his introduction of Linux to me, I'm now able to use Linux fairly well. Introduction to Linux is a beginning step, but it's still depending on how curious your friend is afterward about Linux to actually become a real Linux user.

Ok, back to the topic (I have a tendency to stray off the topic). Let me suggest you suggest your friend to install Ubuntu, because I think it's one of the easiest Linux distribution to use for Linux beginners. The installation of Ubuntu is fairly easy, and your friend can point and click as if she installs Windows. Since you have a direct connection with your friend over email and instant messengers, you can suggest your friends tips and tricks in plain English about Linux, and direct your friend to pages on the Web that could help your friend out even more. Don't confuse your friend with too much Linux's packages and hard stuffs yet, just get your friend be familiar with how to start the operating system, how to use very basic command through terminal/shell such as "ls, cd, rm, mkdir, touch, vim, nano, pico, who, date, mail, halt, and other basic commands." I hope this help, and plus just tell your friend to be patience with Linux as it takes a long time to get used to depend on one's curiosity and hand-on practices.

I would have preferred Mandriva, but Mandriva doesn't have anything like Wubi, which certainly will make the install easier, I so I will be going with Ubuntu.

Of course it was my opinion!!(IMHO="In my humble opinion")

I don't understand this. I said that the virtual machine was a bad idea because the computer in question was already infected.

even if it's infected...
there most be a solution

what's the probs there?
can't show system files?
or opening the drive shown a OpenWith dialog?

did u say, your XP is infected ?

if they want to learn linux then god bless them. tell them how to burn the ubuntu iso to a cd and boot it. not really rocket science. the install is as simple as clicking on a few icons. if they are resistant to this then they should probably stick with windows or, if they don't like viruses, shell out some money and buy a mac. we all know that linux is free, but nothing is truly free. the cost of using linux is a willingness to learn along with some patience.

No.

I said her XP system is infected, and she is 8000 miles away from where I am. Which is why I asked about Linux people in her area of the world.

However. I believe I have a solution, that uses Wubi, as soon as she manages to clean up her XP system.