Simple instructions can be found here:
https://www.linux.com/learn/turn-your-old-laptop-chromebook
Virtual Reality Powered Computer
Software to archive personal DVD library
Make sure you have restricted extras and DVD play capability configured http://vrpc.com/showthread.php?tid=19.
From the terminal:
1. sudo add-apt-repository ppatebbins/handbrake-releases
2. sudo apt-get update
3. sudo apt-get install handbrake-gtk
the newly installed software can be accessed in the sound and video application menu or by using the launcher search feature for handbrake.
DVD movie doesn’t play on ubuntu 11.04
you can enable it in terminal:
1. sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
2. sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
3. insert dvd
Personal choice is Ubuntu (good success rate installing it on various hardware).
I am always impressed with opeSUSE clean design.
Good place to see the latest Linux distribution updates is distrowatch.com