said by SUMware :

Any general Linux distro should be able to do all that's needed, including Ubuntu. I've not used Ubuntu extensively either.

said by SUMware :

BTW - you can keep Windows installed along with Linux. You are not required to delete it.

said by norwegian :

Both you and Vampirefo are saying the same thing here. I've not found an IM client to run. Is Gaim the only one, if so will it work with others enough?

said by norwegian :

what of software for them that may need installing, how limiting is some of the choices that may come into play later?

said by KodiacZiller :

If security is your primary concern, then I recommend one of the following "easy to use" Linux distros:

Ubuntu
PCLOS
Mandriva
Linux Mint

If you don't mind running a 32 bit system, then PCLOS is definitely the way to go for a beginner. Like with most Linux distros, installing software is as easy as opening up the package manager and browsing for what you want.

said by KodiacZiller :

As for security, be sure to tell your mom to use a user account (you will be prompted to set one up when you install, and most distros won't allow you to log-in to the desktop as root anyway). If she has a router, you won't need to enable IPtables (firewall) since outgoing connections won't be an issue (since viruses and trojans are non-existent and cannot install themselves even if they were). No AV or other such junk will be needed.

said by norwegian :

I will have a browse over these but what of software for them that may need installing, how limiting is some of the choices that may come into play later? Guess I need to do a little research.

said by norwegian :

As for the router, being she will want the functionality of wireless, I think the best approach is getting a wireless router, or a router, then wireless endpoint, as our wireless in Australia is...well...a rip off, especially if using a cam to chat comes into play.

said by salzan :

Getting the wireless connection to work reliably was the biggest problem I had with setting up Ubuntu. Would you be at your Mom's place to get it all set up and running?

Will you be able to talk her through getting it to work by phone if she loses connection?

said by Sindows 7 :

Which of these games can I play on any OS besides Windows?

said by Sindows 7 :

Which of these games can I play on any OS besides Windows?

said by salzan :

I put Ubuntu on my Wife's computer when I rebuilt it and, for day to day surfing, email, writing letters and such, it's fine. It even recognizes her digital camera just like Windows does. From her standpoint, there is no difference.

said by salzan :

With that said, if you know little about Linux and are going to attempt to work on it remotely, I wouldn't recommend it.

said by Jahntassa :

My question would be, how comfortable are YOU with Ubuntu.

Regardless of any other fact, she's going to come to YOU when she has problems. If you don't know how to address them, it's going to be more of a headache than going with something you're familiar with. (The same with Windows if you're an Ubuntu / Mac person)

Go with what you know how to fix.

said by quatrix :

Ubuntu is fun to play with once in a while, but hardware drivers are a pain, even for major manufacturers such as NVIDIA and Creative. When I realized that I spent 90% of the time installing updates or fighting with drivers instead of actually USING Ubuntu, I stopped bothering.

said by norwegian :

I can eliminate these issues before it ships, doubt there will be a great deal of hardware to install later and as for updating drivers, can't see a lot needed there.

My inexperience with Ubuntu though has me querying how big an issue will drivers be down the road. I doubt she will be loading a lot onto the box to change the configuration or cause a driver conflict, at least the first 6-12 months anyway. So will driver issues be a bug?

Also I can keep a file of the installers on the box, or on a CD so if there is a need to uninstall/install it will be as smooth as possible.