Want to try Linux but the number of distributions is overwhelming. Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE, Debian, Slackware, Gentoo... Which one is best for someone coming from Windows who wants to learn without losing their mind?

I have an extra PC I can dual-boot on so I won't be abandoning Windows.

Mandrake 8.1 is the most beginner-friendly right now. The installer is practically Windows-like and the hardware detection is excellent. Start there.

Red Hat 7.2 if you want something that'll teach you more about how Linux works. It's a bit harder than Mandrake but the community support is massive.

Whatever you pick, keep a Windows machine available for the first month. You WILL hit things that don't work and you'll need to search for solutions.

Avoid Slackware and Gentoo as a beginner. Seriously. They're great for learning later but they'll crush your motivation if you start there.