I haven’t tried jollicloud, but is your typical *nix kernel,, but everything cut down so that it will would work on any old machine, so its something link xubuntu. However the project looks like it could be onto something by using some cloud computing services, so that it takes the pressure of the old machine. Its alos got social built in, so it has all the facebook, twitter and some more social networking built in. Might be one to look at if you have an old machine.
There is a video below with all the basic info, but it is Breakfast TV in Northern America so be warned!!!