Why dont you try a Linux distro using a 'Live CD' before you decide anything.
This will allow you to try out a few different versions of Linux to see which one best suits your needs, without even having to install it on your hard drive!
Here's a list of some of the more popular one's:
* Basilisk (based on Fedora)
* BeatrIX (based on Debian/Knoppix/Ubuntu)
* Berry Linux (based on Fedora)
* Damn Small Linux (based on Debian)
* FreeSBIE (based on Free BSD)
* Gnoppix (Knoppix/Debian plus Gnome, now merged with Ubuntu)
* Kanotix (modified Knoppix/Debian)
* Knoppix (the first big live CD, based on Debian)
* Luit (Debian/Xfce, rox filing system)
* Mandrake Move (based on Mandrake)
* Mepis (Debian)
* Morphix (modular Debian)
* PCLinuxOS Preview (a Mandrake fork)
* Sabayon
* Sam (Mandrake/Xfce)
* SLAX (Slackware)
* Suse 9.1 and 9.2 (rpm-based)
* Ubuntu Live (Debian)
* Xfld (Debian/Damn Small Linux and Xfce)
For Ubuntu 7.10:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/7.10/ubuntu-7.10-desktop-i386.isoFor Sabayon/ Gentoo:
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/SabayonLinux-5256.shtmlFor Knoppix 5.3.1:
http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/KNOPPIX-Live-DVD-2621.shtml