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[Tom <question76318@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Question #76318 on Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/76318

Tom proposed the following answer:
Ubuntu really needs about 15Gb to be comfortable in, it can squeeze into 10Gb but you really need to consider uninstalling unnecessary programs or else it will be almost impossible to download & install updates.  I managed 10Gb for a while but it was a bit tight.  There are other versions of linux, other distros that take up a lot less room but they are not as fully featured as Ubuntu.  I would recommend Xubuntu as it almost is Ubuntu and is already a little lighter but looking very much the same.
http://www.xubuntu.org/get
Some people prefer Xubuntu on larger machines just because it's a little lighter and faster.  

It sounds as though there are 3 or possibly even 4 machines at issue
here.  So without knowing specifics of cpu&ram and free-space on hard-
drives my general advice would be

Ubuntu for machine with 15Gb free space and 700MHz & 512Mb or over
Xubuntu if the machine is close to that but only falls short on 1 or 2 criteria
Ubuntu Netbook Remix for netbooks or any smaller laptops 
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook
Wolvix Hunter 1.1.0 for anything much smaller (although Wolvix really performs better on more top-end machines)
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=wolvix

Consider running a LiveCd session (or LiveUsb session) first before installing to save time.  Simply place the *buntu cd in the cd/dvd-drive and reboot the machine.  When you get to the menu with "Try Ubuntu without changes to the machine" choose that option and you should get to a working desktop, we call this a LiveCd session if it works.  This guide helps if there's difficulty getting to the menu
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromCD
The UNR allows this from a Usb stick i believe.  Other distros, such as Wolvix also have thi functionality as their default although they don't usually have a fancy menu and title for it but it is usually the default option. 

Please let us know the cpu speed and ram size as well as free-space available on your hard-drive and then we can be a bit more accurate in our suggestions :)
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)

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