What is the easiest to use Linux distro for parents?

[nbBurna]

My parents currently have an old Dell desktop (maybe 2006) that runs Windows XP. They just use it for basic web browsing and email....for the most part, they're pretty computer illiterate. The computer is running super slow right now and I'm pretty sure there's just a clutter of mess installed on it. Rather than sort through the chaos and worrying about them downloading spyware, I wanted to install a Linux distro which would be faster and cleaner than Windows XP (which, from my understanding, is pretty much all of the distros).

What would you guys recommend I install on their desktop? They are complete computer novices, so the most user friendly OS would be the best bet. I was thinking Ubuntu or Xubuntu? I have Linux Mint on my laptop, and while I like it I kinda wanted to spice it up and throw something different on their computer.

Thanks!

[oobetimer]

Forget Ubuntu, because dash is too difficult for beginners, because they do not know commands. SnowLinux Ice Xfce is quite easy, but its Chromium browser is some old model, but you can install IceWeasel or some other browser for fluent browsing. I used to install Synaptic, Gdebi and some other programs to SnowLinux.

http://www.snowlinux.de/blog/320-snowli ... e-released

BTW. SnowLinux uses gnash and lightspark for flash videos, so if you are heavy-flash-video-user, Adobe´s flash may works better.

[Oscar799]

Moved here by moderator

[/dev/urandom]

What would you guys recommend I install on their desktop?

Windows, as they know how to use it. It saves you time and trouble. Believe me, you can make every Linux distribution really, really slow if you are a novice.

If you still insist on Linux:

They are complete computer novices, so the most user friendly OS would be the best bet.

Fedora has been proven really user-friendly in my family. It comes with a couple of desktops, maybe Xfce would be a good start as it is small and rather fast. With the RPMFusion repositories you have a lot of non-free add-ons, and its graphical package manager (apper on KDE, not sure about the Gnome version) rocks if you don't know about the terminal.

[DrHu]

There are Mint versions, either lmde, lxde or the gnome versions mint main editions..
--or you could use a smaller Linux desktop OS, such as puppy Linux: slacko version is the latest i have running
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20a ... tarted.htm

Comparison site, might be a little old for small Linux distributions..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_L ... tributions

Another idea, that might work quite well is to use an Internet based Linux OS, such as Joliicloud
--that might ensure they have fewer problems with data management
http://www.jolicloud.com/
http://www.jolicloud.com/desktop
http://www.jolicloud.com/jolios

[/dev/urandom]

-or you could use a smaller Linux desktop OS, such as puppy linux: slacko version is the latest i have running
http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20a ... tarted.htm

IMO they are not suitable here as they require more knowledge.

[Adelante]

Xfce and LXDE are both easy to use. Linux Mint 13 Xfce is being tested for final release very soon. In fact, the release candidate being tested now is practically a final version. I have had zero problems with it. Peppermint, new issue due 7/23, and WattOS R5 are two good choices for LXDE, in my experience. I may be older than your parents

[MALsPa]

Or you could install Debian Stable (Xfce) for them. Then forget about running into any problems for a few years.

(Another parent, here.)

[zeke]

Reinstalling windows xp would be the easiest for them by far, and it would no doubt speed up on a reinstall. If they don't have original install media I would guess offhand that their computer might not handle windows 7 very well, and of course they would have to pay for it. The most confusing thing about Ubuntu for me is the "global menu". Otherwise it doesn't seem too bad. I've installed Lubuntu on a virtual machine at work, and while I haven't had much chance to work with it, it seems very easy to use, fast, runs well in 512MB ram, looks nice enough, and installs in ~2.5GB. With anything Ubuntu-based you also have the huge number of available ubuntu packages, and w/ 12.04 you have the 5 year support (edit: oops, double-checked and Lubuntu 12.04 is not an LTS edition).

[ConfusedbyLinux]

My suggestion would be the wonderful Zorin OS. It looks very similar to Windows by default and is excellent for older hardware.
Someone mentioned Lubuntu and of course Mint is great. However a system that old may only have a limited amount of RAM. If 512 or so
try Zorin out if less Lubuntu. I would not suggest reinstalling Windows XP.

[/dev/urandom]

Curiously: why not?

[oobetimer]

Curiously: why not?

If you have seen average windows-users, so you should know the answer ..

It it quite common that average user installs more than one virus-protection, so these protections are starting to fight with each other and a computer is jamming. XP works fine without virus-protection, but then you need to know what sites you are browsing, what programs you are installing, etc.

[/dev/urandom]

Uhm, I know a lot of WIndows users, and none of them uses more than 1 virus scanner. I am pretty sure I know the average Windows user.

It is not the operating system that makes its users ignore the basics of computer security. That aside, an operating system should be seen as a tool, and everyone should use the tool which fits him personally best. If you have always used a hammer with one head (Windows), you could of course use one with two heads (Linux) too, but why should you?

[xenopeek]

A desktop from 2006 might run Linux Mint 13 fine, giving you 5 year support. MATE or Xfce should be easy for XP users I think, especially for the less curious (Cinnamon and KDE offer more options out of the box). As for spicing things up, I'd still go for something you are also familiar with so you can give proper support when needed. And go for a LTS release so you don't have to upgrade as often

[Pierre]

Reinstalling windows xp would be the easiest for them by far, and it would no doubt speed up on a reinstall

Nope:- go with xfce <something> - since it is an old_XP pc.

- Mint 13 LTS xfce ??.

[Rudemeister]

My father is 85. His computer is also a 2006 vintage rig. The thing was crawling. he was still using the onboard graphics too. So I put a used Nvidia card in it and Linux Mint 13 Maya with Cinnamon. I also made sure he had 4G of ram. I bought him another 2G of that used. In an evening he was off and running. He doesn't have to worry about any viruses or any of that. He likes it and it didn't cost dad anything. He's on a fixed budget. He like LibraOffice too. Additionally, we're originally from Holland. Most of our relatives still live there. Dad's webcam integrated perfectly with Skype and now he saves money talking to them over there.

[KBD47]

What's most important?
Something you never want to fix--Debian Stable, maybe Gnome or Xfce desktop.
Do they have vision problems? Ubuntu with Unity and its huge, colorful launchers.
Something that works well out of the box with little muss or fuss? Mint Xfce 13.

[nomko]

What's wrong with Mint 13 with Mate desktop environment? It's a LTS version, so long support, Mate has a sort Windows look-and-feel, it's easy to install and use.