I want to migrate to Linux

I want to migrate from WIN98SE to Linux and am looking for advise.

I recently built two Identical WIN98SE PCs. Even though I expect these
machines to last many years I know someday they will wear out and WIN98SE
compatible hardware will not be available. I have no intention of ever
buying MS OS again so I must take action so I can continue building and
using PCs in the future.

One PC will serve as a test machine and the other will be my primary PC. My
plan is to start by booting from a LiveCD, then install Linux in a dual
boot with WIN98SE, then install just Linux. If I am successful I will
abandon WIN98SE on both machines.

My priorities in order of importance are:
Support for my hardware. (I omitted a list for brevity in this first post
but will supply if you are interested)
Support for WINE so I may continue to use my current software for which
there are no Linux alternatives.

I need to get this OS up and running quickly with little previous
knowledge. Until I have time to learn the syntax of Linux I need to pick a
distro that supports point and click as much as possible. I have told my
wife that she too is migrating to Linux and she also needs a point and
click OS.

I am considering the following distros and given my goals I would
appreciate your input and or additional suggestions:
PCLinuxOS
Ubantu

I chose this NG to post because it looks fairly active. If there is a
better NG for my questions then please advise. Thank you for your help.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: a basic guide for idiots?
    ... :: I have two pcs networked over win98se to a common broadband cable router. ... I assume this means there are three machines total, ... :: I simply can't fathom linux networking. ...
    (comp.os.linux.networking)
  • Re: I want to migrate to Linux
    ... WIN98SE compatible hardware will not be available. ... My plan is to start by booting from a LiveCD, then install Linux ... successful I will abandon WIN98SE on both machines. ... pick a distro that supports point and click as much as possible. ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)
  • Re: Gothic 3, alter Rechner & Linux
    ... gestern unter Linux Gothic 2 mittels wine. ... Auf mein Win98SE kann ... ausreicht und ich auf die Anschaffung von WinXP verzichten kann. ...
    (de.rec.spiele.computer.rpg)
  • Re: USB unter Win98se: Memory-Card-Reader etc. werden nicht angezeigt :-(
    ... lässt sich jedoch nicht installieren, ... Bei Win98se bricht es ohne was zu sagen ab. ... mag ("Ich bin die Kamera Ixus 80 und möchte jetzt mit dem Treiber ... Habe mir kürzlich ein Acer Aspire One mit Linux ohne HD gekauft. ...
    (microsoft.public.de.german.win98.allgemein)
  • Re: I want to migrate to Linux
    ... My plan is to start by booting from a LiveCD, then install Linux ... in a dual boot with WIN98SE, ... I assume your saying that kUbantu uses a desktop other than GNOME ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)