The best Linux distro is Suse 10.1. You can download it from
www.opensuse.org.
You need to download 5 ISO images and burn in CDs. The commercial version comes with dual layer DVD with some proprietary software. It's available from novell.com.
Other Linux distros like Mandriva Linux 2006, Fedora Core 5 are also good. Fedora is free. Mandriva Linux has to versions - one is free version (download it from
www.mandrivalinux.com) and the commercial version comes with lot of software
that are not free!! Also there is one called Mandriva Linux Power Pack ( 2 DVDs).
It contains lots and lots of software , that you don't need to look elsewhere!!
You can learn about Linux distros at *distrowatch.com/