Replace Windows XP with Linux

In "Open Source Alternatives For Windows XP" Robert Edwards and Eric C. McCreath from ANU make the case for Linux to replace XP on old low power PCs. Last year I was helping someone move house. Among the appliances to be disposed of in the move were four desktop PCs, running various old versions of Microsoft Windows (from 98 to XP). The PCs were so old they were unlikely to be able to run newer version of  Microsoft Window, so installed Mint Linux (version 15) "Mate". The Mate version of Mint Linux provides an interface not that different to an old version of Windows. The installation came with the Libre Office suite and enough applications programs to be usable.