I have recently become interested in Linux, but I the only computer I am able (parent restriction) to make linux the OS is my comp with 128mb of ram. Puppy, and DSL are confusing, and for some reason Xubuntu installs all the way to right after the user names and passwords and it keeps failing. Do I need to burn another image? Is Xubuntu user-friendly? And if not, what is? [ I edited it for clarification]
I have used Xubuntu on a Pentium II 450Mhz with 256MB Ram. So I'm not sure how well it would run on just 128MB. Xubuntu is just the XFCE desktop version of Ubuntu which is pretty much the most popular Distro for newbies like myself. I only dived into a Terminal just for kicks so it pretty much holds your hand. Of course there is always a web browser to use if you get stuck.
You don't really have enough ram for the large distros. i usually put a core command line os.. debian is easiest.. on systems with limited ram (and by that I mean right down to 32mb) and then add the bits I want, like a window manager and usually fluxbox desktop. Adding applications piecemeal is pretty easy from the debian repos, and usually they don't want you to install a full bloated desktop. seamonkey is a pretty lean browser, and xchat/gaim etc cover chat.. then do what you want Feather was perfect for machines like yours, but seems to have stalled. ubuntu and it's derivatives are just too big.. they need pretty much 256 just to install (they run a mysql database for passwords.. and that needs 256 to install which is why it craps out where it does) I'm kinda busy right now.. but there are guides around for doing this. I will have a look for them.