writes:

Thank you everyone for your input.

At present the biggest barrier for me for switching to a Linux OS is that:

-- my computer cannot boot from a memory stick or thumb drive.

-- my computer can boot from my CD-Rom drive, using a CD-R disc.

So, then no problem:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...tion/MinimalCD

The minimal iso image will download packages from online archives at
installation time instead of providing them on the install media
itself. ...

--
Dan Espen