Need a newb-friendly distro for my Dad

[uriel1972]

So, my Dad gets a computer virus, you know the one where interpol will come bashing down your door if you don't pay a $100 fine.
I calm him down point out it's a scam, phone the local authority whose badge is on top of the page to get confirmation, then go out to an appointment.

On my return, he has destroyed said computer... destroyed, with a screwdriver. /sigh. Anyhoo, I am getting a cheap laptop off of ebay and plan to install linux on it. I need opinions on what would be the best for an old windows user (the user is old, not the windows).

I have promised him that I would also install an antivirus program on it. I've heard of Clam, but don't know too much about it. Are there any others. Whilst there are few if any viruses for linux, it would be a shame to be a carrier.

That's enough chatter from me... Thank you for any advice you can give me.

[Recursion]

1. I've got to go with Ubuntu

For all its flaws, Canonical makes a damn good product.

To my shame, I'll admit: I'm an OpenBSD contributor, and I maintain my OpenBSD box as a VM on my Ubuntu laptop. Let the floggings commence.

Ubuntu has several AV and network security applications available, both free and commercial.

Clam, specifically, is still the 900 pound gorilla of UNIX antivirus programs, but several others are available.

[uriel1972]

2. Thank you

I was thinking of Ubuntu, but I was wondering if there was anything else out there I didn't know, my knowledge of Linux is limited as I have worked mostly with Windows and Macs.

[Recursion]

3. Mint is another "newbie-friendly" distribution, but I don't know much about it

It maintains a more legacy-Windows-like desktop, if that's a concern; Ubuntu is more comparable to Windows 8, which many people have trouble adapting to.

[uriel1972]

4. That's good to know...

I haven't tried my Dad on Win8 (shudder) I will try them as VM's as soon as I can. Thank you.

[Phillip McCleod]

5. i 2nd the Linux Mint vote.. 100%

there's two editions, ubuntu-based (Mint 13, 14,..) and debian-based (LMDE). i'd go for Mint 13 or 14 depending on how new the machine is.

then there's the desktop environment.. for Mint 13/14, you can choose Cinnamon or Mate and either one can 'feel' like windows. cinnamon is probably the better choice for an old noob tho.. that's what i installed for my boss an old windows pro who always thought of linux as a 'toy' until i showed him what could be done.

ubuntu's unity interface is just.. weird. wrong. slow. ugly. stoopid. like metro.. maybe it'll be great on mobile devices but on a computer? meh.

mint is the way to go for noobs.

[hobbit709]

8. Mint is the way to go.

Ubuntu is OK but you have to install restricted packages to get it to play media. Mint does it without the BS.

[Recursion]

9. If that's two Mint users saying "yes" I'm with them

Like I said I don't know the distro well, but it is Debian-based and it has a desktop metaphor most users will find familiar.

That said, Debian 7 is out, and I'm going to be all-that-all-the-time for a while now.

[L0oniX]

6. Ubuntu LTS 12.04 Long Term Support n/t

[struggle4progress]

7. Linux Mint is more or less Ubuntu with a front end that won't upset newbs