Which Linux version to install?

Hi. I am considering creating a new partition and installing a Linux OS as fallback and for a new experience.

My system is a 3 yr old P4 3.0Ghz, 1GB RAM, 128 MB graphics card, Windows XP Home SP2 laptop. What would be an easy-to-understand-and-work with version for a beginer/intermediate computer user such as myself?

Also, could Symantec's NAV 2005 and other software that mainly works with Windows Xp be used with it or do I need new software and AV?

Thanks for any help!

Linux.

I would start with reading this http://www.linux.org/

All the various distros are different and have 'followings'

http://www.linux.org/dist/

That page is designed to help you chose from the ones written with your type of use in mind.

For AV - AVG7.5 (Grisoft) has a good free version.

PS do not assume that by having a Linux distro that they do not get any malware etc. Yes less is written for them - but the number of infected Linux servers that hit my server with attacks shows it is just as susceptible to being taken over as any windows version was.

http://www.linuxlinks.com/portal/news/staticpages/index.php?page=20070528093134661

Slowly read through on what distros to get.

Personally, I feel that Freespire, OpenSuse and Fedora are easy enough for new users into Linux world.

In the intermediate, you could try getting a Debian, Ubuntu (and its derivatives), Knoppix or Gentoo. They are still pretty easy to use, but at times may be hard to figure out. A Google search on the error produced usually solves these problems.

For AV, there's Clam and AVG. For firewall, there's Firestarter in Ubuntu, not sure if it works for others.

Most other softwares have their own alternatives, so you will have no problems. Games will face problems, you could get Wine to work with it.

The easier ones Ive used, that is, they are very much similar to Windows are SimplyMEPIS, Mandriva 2007 and Ubuntu.
Ubuntu is what I favour, and the forum
http://ubuntuforums.org/
is the one where you actually questions answered and quickly.
Take a look around there. There are plenty tutorials.
You can download Live CD's of most distro's too which you can try out before installing.

Thanks for the feedback. Can someone please take a look at post id #21244 titled "Various Problems" in the HiJack This forumn and tell me if my log is ok or problematic?!

Thanks