[Vincent Lam]

Hello, I am new to linux and I would like to have advises on linux distros and additional software packs, anyone help?

Machine Spec(from an old laptop):
Celeron 1.2Ghz
10GB Harddisk
128Mb SDRAM
Onboard SiS display
SiS intergated NIC
Floppy drive
***No optical drives***
----and thats all----

Usage(I will put it on my bedroom TV and control via IR keyboard):
1)IM
2)e-mail
3)web surfing(text browsing, online music(streamed), streamed movie"uTube"/"Flurl"/"Redtube"......)
4)watching movies(from files/DVD drives shared on a Microsoft Windows Network),need to play dvd with menu
5)listening to music(mp3,wma,rm...)
---and thats all---

Extra requirement:
1)with GUI, desktop
2)stable OS(as it will seldom being switched off, well I think no one want turning on the TV and wait for that slow machine to boot)
3)requires minimal maintenance

[Smurphy]

Use Kubuntu (KDE)/Ubuntu (Gnome) or the just released OpenSUSE 10.3

[danleff]

Given your limited system requirements, you are likely to have problems with Ubuntu and SuSE 10.3.

Ubuntu System Requirements

openSUSE Hardware Requirements

I would say perhaps Puppy Linux. but I don't know about the IR keyboard.

Any chance on upgrading the memory?

How do you propose to install the distro with no optical drive on the system?

What laptop is this?

[GrassStainedShoes]

Advice: You can get a used business class PC with 3X the resources for around $100.00. Your system would only serve you WELL as a FW or router.