Hi, I have been messing around with computers for quite a while now, so have a fair grasp of hardware and Operating Systems.
However, I have never used any of the Linux derivitives, but I am getting fed up with the Windows options available. I have just loaded Vista on to the better half’s laptop and I have seen snails go faster, I do prefer Xp Pro, but I understand Microsoft are stopping support for this OS next year, which brings me to the question and need for a bit of advice.
I have downloaded a copy of Ubuntu and been reading as much info as I can find about it, which just has me more confused because there are quite a few different Linux based operating systems and I am not sure which one to try, for a Linux novice.
I have an old spare Pc fairly low spec which was running Windows Me, so this will become the test machine for any recommendations…
Any suggestions, tips or pointers will be greatly welcomed… 
I have tried quite a few different versions of Linux. I think that everyone has a favourite and will reccomend what suits them. There are good points and bad points for each of them. My favourite is Mandrake / Mandriva. I must admit that I had installation problems with Ubuntu so I can’t give you my opinion on that, many people use it and it does get good reviews.
Give a few flavours a spin. Plenty of Linux “distros” can be had as Live CDs, so you don’t have to install it to try it out. You just boot the computer up and read the OS from the disk. It won’t give you an indication of speed (as it’s reading everything from the CD/DVD drive rather than the HDD.
Think of Linux as the engine and chassis and the distro as the custom bodywork wrapped around it.
I use openSUSE 10.3 at the moment with a KDE desktop (the other main desktop is Gnome, but there are others). I’ve even got the other half using it too.
If you’re using a low horsepower PC, have a shot at ■■■■ Small Linux, if you don’t need a load of bling and baggage, this flies along quite well as it has what you need, rather than all the bloat you don’t.
Less of a problem these days, but it’s still worth checking the hardware compatibility. There’s the odd piece of hardware that has crap Linux support and either doesn’t work, or doesn’t work fully.
I did try Ubuntu 7.04 and that worked out of the box with my wifi stick. openSUSE 10.2 was crap and I had to bodge a driver to get it to work. openSUSE 10.3 worked out of the box.
mafry64:
I do prefer Xp Pro, but I understand Microsoft are stopping support for this OS next year, which brings me to the question and need for a bit of advice.
I
Not quite the case. Microsoft have stated that Win Xp will be supported until 2014. In fact Win XP SP3 has now become available as a download. Have a look at this statment from Microsoft
Click Here
That said as more applications and hardware become Vista compliant the chances are support may end sooner.
Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. 
I wonder, if as this my first foray into Linux I wonder if it’s worth waiting the few more days then downloading a version of SUSE 11.0. 
I forgot to add that while looking last week I saw a programme on ebay called Linux XP, searched for it on the internet, but the site you are directed to was a dead end. But got to say it looked like a Win Xp carbon copy…but using linux as it’s base.
You could wait a bit longer…
or try Ubuntu 8.04 (Ubuntu goes round on a six-month cycle (200)8.04(Apr). Next one is 8.10 in October.)
or just try Ubuntu as it is the most popular according to http://www.distrowatch.com (which is worth a peek to see what’s available. Whilst the big distros are good for new and old machines, some of the smaller ones are great for older kit.