Friend has an old XP system and is looking to replace XP with some form of Linux

[BigAlOfMD]

His lap top / note book has 2 GB RAM
He only accesses the WEB and doesn't need much disk space.
What is the simplest version to install that meets his needs?

TIA
Al

[Crackerborn]

Check Ubuntu. Ubuntu or Mint are probably the most user friendly.

[lonewolf/va]

ubuntu,mint are good I'm using fedora on one box and debian on another. check Distowatch.com any of the top ten are good, one tip try the ones with live cd/dvd you can use them without changing your system till you are ready.

[hubcapsc]

Fedora dropped right on my X1 Carbon laptop... might have to search around
for one that will do everything needed on an older box, drivers might not
be available for every whacky old component... can't hurt to try several flavors,
don't give up right away...

-Mike

[BigAlOfMD]

If I wanted 40 options to try, I would have searched the WEB!
Oh yea, I did that first
I just want the simplest one from someone with experience.

[Crackerborn]

There are probably 40 main derivatives of linux, each with 40 more options to load. I am guessing that your friend is new to Linux, so stick to Ubuntu or Mint. Once a person is comfortable in a Linux operating system, then one can move on to Fedora, mandrivan,  Debian, Maluku, or whatever if they so desire. Or not if they are happy with what they have. I started with redhat, but wouldn't recommend that for someone new to Linux and not comfortable with command lines.