Uh... think stupid kid. This has to work for a stupid kid.

OK - then why not put Linux on your very best computer ... and put Windows 98 or something on your junk computer?

Again - I'd give your 14 year old the best computer, and you can have the piece of junk. Sounds fair to me

"Linux" is really just the kernel or "core" of the operating system, whereas the software that comes with the kernel constitutes the rest of the operating system. And yes, 90% of the time, it's all in the same package. A kernel is pretty much useless by itself...

On average, when someone tells you that they are not smart enough to learn something----they are really saying that they just don't want to put out the effort.

I very much doubt that you are stupid---first, your English skills are way above average.

If you really ARE stupid, then allow me to suggest staying with Windows.

@pixellany

I think the OP is speaking as a parent/guardian for their kid:

Pclinuxos 2010 with xfce or lxde or E17 desktop will work great for you. Very easy to install and very newbie friendly comes with pretty much everything needed to watch videos online and way more. Just install it and you'll be suprised how fast that old machine really can be.

Good luck and welcome to freedom.

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And is calling him or her a "stupid kid"?

My experience with "stupid kids" is that they are often seen showing their parents how to do things....

Sorry, that's what I do.....

Seriously, it was only recently that I understood the distinction between DEs and WMs. A Windows or Mac refugee expects to see a DE---thus I think the distinction is important.

Touche!!! OP WAS talking about his / her kids.

As I hinted earlier, beware of calling your kids "stupid"...

Wow, people. The "stupid kid" thing was just a joke. And no, they're not my kids.
I was just trying to make a point about the need for simplicity.

Anyway........

You have talked me into one of these "light" operating systems.

But which one?

Puppy, "Pclinuxos 2010 with xfce or lxde or E17 desktop", fluxbox, etc.....

I'm not sure where to go from here.

Also, this computer has an aftermarket network card in it that for some reason I can't get to connect to the internet. Is my new Linux system going to be able to find and use the card?

I agree about going with a simple windows manager for the reasons already given, but I will also say that my experience is that a distro using KDE3 will work acceptably with the specified hardware (just don't use compiz) and will also look more familiar to someone that is coming from Windows. Avoid KDE4 like the plague on that hardware.

Well according to the pclinuxOS website...

I only have 256mb ram.

According to wikipedia there are many "3" versions of KDE, which one do you suggest?

If you want to use KDE 3, simply get the latest---it's 3.5.9 or 3.5.10 as I recall.

But, I thought you were going for one of the lighter DEs like XFCE or LXDE?

Again, my P3 with 320 RAM runs just about anything. 256 is on the edge, and you will see a very BIG improvement if you bring it up to 512.

So who exactly is this sytem for??