So you want to join the linux movement?
Well, since Red Hat is effectively out of the private Desktop, these are your options, as I see them. You know, they say linux is all about options? This is where it starts
buy SuSE: Solid, easy-to-use distrubution. You get installation support (by email) in three months for the basic package which nearly garanties that the installation will be successfull. Con: It costs some money.
download SuSE, Fedora or Mandrake Free except for the CD's, but you will need to burn them yourself or order them somewhere. You don't get installation support, but there is forums and such which can help you. I have never tried this.
Debian A hardcore distrubution. One of the best binary, free as in freedom distributions out there. Not for the easily deterred: Both the Users and the installation are really old school.
Gentoo My distrubution which fits me like a glove. Let me warn you that this distrubtiion idea of an installer is a text prompt and a guide, but this distrubution has the BEST community I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. Be aware that this is a source distrubution, which means that every program is compiled during installation. This will take a few days.
Feel free to ask anything. Or maybe go to
linuxquestions
which is a great resource, too.