at Kubuntu, the KDE variant of Ubuntu - but get 8.04 or before as 8.10 and since have KDE 4 while the others have KDE 3.5 or earlier. KDE 3.5 has a very Win 98 look to it so you should feel more comfortable with it. MepisLinux, PCLinux, and Linspire all have a very Windows feel too and are very good. I suggest you get some of the free discs sent to you so you can run the Live Disc version and see what they look like before you install them.
Switching to Linux will reduce the dangers from many of the virus and trojan attacks but won't eliminate them. It will make some things easier while making others harder. It is harder to run some Windows compatible software and hardware.
My personal suggestion is you take your time. Stay with your working XP until it next breaks down on you. In the meantime get some Linux discs or download the ISOs and make some discs, and try the Live Disc versions until you find one your happy with. Also, take your time looking for alternate applications for what you currently use. Many will come on the CDs from the Linux companies if you get them But you can also use resources such as:
http://osliving.com/index.phphttp://www.linux.org/projects/http://www.kubuntu.org/index.phphttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntuhttp://www.winehq.org/https://www.mepis.org/mirrorshttp://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxlinux/http://www.cedega.com/Wine, Crossover, and Cedega allow you to run Windows based stuff in Linux.
