On advice from a load of people who screamed in horror when I told them I was still using it occasionally
Quite right too.
Unless
PERMANENTLY disconnected from the internet, XP has no place on a personal computer, or a small business computer ....governments and large corporates are a different kettle of fish, but lets not go there, I've already explained why sufficiently !
Whilst I find Linux servers great (i.e text console only, no GUI in sight or installed), Linux desktops are indeed something I find clumsy too... a poor attempt at mimicking Windows.
You may just be better off biting the bullet and upgrading to a supported version of Windows, i.e 7 or, preferably 8.... its not
that bad !