Recommend an OS

[TechSupp]

Got one of those laptops for the mrs and put the max ram in it (2Gb) and it runs xp and anthing else just fine.

[somabc]

Download details: Windows XP Embedded with Service Pack 2

[Ric_]

I'm a Debian-fanboi so my vote would be for Debian with XFCE, Compiz Fusion and Avant Window Manager.

This combination will give you a nice speedy system with more eye candy than a pointed stick could be shaken at with an OS X-style dock to boot.

[matt40k]

She can... Windows Live etc won't install... and she likes the rubbish that comes with it.

[TwoZeroAlpha]

She can... Windows Live etc won't install... and she likes the rubbish that comes with it.

aMSN - messenger clone for linux. aMSN - Opening your communication

Might be of some interest to you. Or claim it's the "new and improved MSN messenger" for Window7

[matt40k]

Gah, she doesn't like Firefox!

Can't believe it! Got offered a Mac Mini for £200, might get it. Anyone want a (cheap) FX55 system?

[Batman]

Argh KDE smells, I'm sticking with gnome.

A neat trick I learned to persuade my sister in law to use ubuntu was to show her how flash my computer looked with it's translucent emerald themes and swooshy compiz animation stuff. And Tremulous... good game, good game...

[rh91uk]

My weapon of choice is either Ubuntu or CentOs. Ubuntu I usually use for my desktop, and usually centos for the servers. Cent runs fine on my 6 yr old old laptop (which I use for home network diag).