Best Linux distro for a beginner

[Alexa Stott]

Originally Posted by Pat McCarthy

I'm a Linux novice and I'm trying to use my old computer to run it.
By 'old', I mean, an AMD K6-3D processor and 128 MB RAM. It currently runs Windows 98.

I'm using a Ubuntu live CD and also making a Xubuntu live CD as well.
So far Ubuntu won't get past the little rectangle showing the Ubuntu logo and some icons being loaded within it, the last one reading 'Nautilus'. I'm assuming that the graphical interface might be a little too beefy for this old box. Am I correct?

I am making the Xubuntu live CD assuming that since it says it runs better on old machines, that it will work.

If you really want to use an Ubuntu distro, definitely go with Xubuntu. I believe that Ubuntu (or Kubuntu, depending on your preference) is recommended to be run on computers with a minimum of 256 MB RAM, and Xubuntu was created for older, slower computers likes yours. Or so I've been told.

Of course, many other good Linux distros have been mentioned in this thread that you might want to try out.

Good luck!