Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop, which many people don’t like. I can tolerate it, but I prefer KDE.
The reason I suggest PCLinuxOS for beginners, is that KDE and LXDE are more Windows-like. You’ll feel pretty much right at home straight away.
KDE is more full featured, so you’ll have everything you need right away. But it needs at least 1 GB RAM, preferably 2 or more.
LXDE only needs 350 MB (500 MB much better). It still looks very Windows-like, but is slightly less intuitive (at least it was for me). But I have LXDE installed an an old Pentium 4, with 500 MB RAM, dating from the first GWB administration. So unless your box is ancient, you should get that loaded no problem.
Also, the PCLinuxOS ISOs are “Live CDs.” So you can load the entire system into your RAM (provided you have enough) to make sure it works with you hardware without have to install on your hard drive first.
Let me know how it goes.
I’ve got 2 gigs of RAM so I’m good there.
“Any problems you encounter will be related to something else. Probably video-card support.”
And I have that beat- the monster machine doesn’t use a video card.