On Thursday 08 Jan 2004 3:37 pm, starwars uttered these immortal words:

> I'm looking for a version of linux that is easy to install. If it could be
> as easy as windows 98 to install, that would be ideal, but I'm willing to
> do a little work if I have to.

SuSE or Mandrake in that case really. See http://www.distrowatch.com. TBH,
having installed Win98SE recently, I've found most recent distros easier to
install. YMMV of course and the choice is yours.

> Standard office apps are available for linux, if I have it right, and so
> are email clients and browsers, but I'm wondering how difficult it will be

Office suites include KOffice and OpenOffice.org.
Mail clients include KMail, Evolution and Sylpheed.
Browsers include Konqueror, Mozilla, Mozilla Firebird, Opera and Galeon.

> getting linux to recognize my network card. Will there be any problem with
> the CD reader and the CD burner?

Depends which network card. Check for hardware compatibility at the website
of the distro you choose or Google/Google Groups. Most recent CD writers
work. Again, check a hardware compatibility list or Google/Google Groups.

> Once the network card is working, can linux 'talk' to the other computers
> on our home lan? They are running windows, and are connected using a
> Linksys router.

Linux impliments TCP/IP and so does Windows so they will be able to "talk"
to each other. It just depends which protocol (language they talk in)
you're going to use. My guess is you'll want file and print sharing so look
at Samba.

> Any idea of the best way to acquire the OS - download or on CD?

Which ever way you feel is best for you.

--
Andy.