Hi, Pierre,
Ubuntu is one of the LINUX based operating systems, so for starters will run much faster on an older computer. Ubuntu has it's own website, where you can ask if you run into problems.
http://www.ubuntu.com/
But all the Linux interfaces these days are very much like Windows or Mac. So it should not be too difficult to get used to it. Once your "geek" has installed for you all the applications you need. And they are all free!!!
I had Linux "Open Suse" parallel running with "Windows XP", I absolutely loved it!!! Everything downloaded for free!! And they have all applications and programs under the sun.
Then one day Windows would not load anymore, before crashing each time, + I used Open Suse
for 4 month, before I bough Windows 7 PC - I can't live without Photoshop + could not get into
Gimp - the Linux Graphic program.
Otherwise I would still be with Open Suse!!! I LOVE LINUX!!!
But that has irked me ever since, so I am buying now a netbook (before they disappear) wipe the OS and install some Linux OS on it - just to get to grips with Gimp.
I hope that is of help!
If you miss us crazy UK Giffers pop over and visit
The Gif Thread
Bye now
Dxie xx