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

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

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?

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.