Jimvt..
Download Mandrake Linux 9, very easy to use and install. RedHat 8 is also very good and can be picked up in any bookstore as well as downloaded. If you go to your local bookstore, you can get a book on Linux which comes with Linux CD's! Great kit for getting started, it's what I did.
I'm a Mac user, but i also use a PC which now mainly run's linux. It's much better than windows in nearly every way possible. It still has it's quirks and takes some getting used to, but you will be better off in the long run.