Never used UNIX before. Is Linux redhat 7.2 a good start?

in general... yes.

make sure the hardware is very basic, standard stuff
(don't expect to get DVDs and R/W CDs working out of the box).

I NOW prefer Caldera OpenLinux 3.1
I was able to install it on an IBM Thinkpad 600 with no
problems (Red Hat had some problems) and this is not
considered a "basic" hardware config. laptops in general can
be a bit non-standard.

derek,
try here http://www.redhat.com/software/linux/rhl_choose.html
this page brings you to the choosing the right red hat linux for your based on your preference. Ex, running a server, normal workstation, sweeting a webserver, firewall, e-commerce , database and so on. I suggest you check out that site first. Also there is quite number of technical papers for you to overview.

Mandrake is suited for beginning desktop use - Their distribution is based on Redhat's, but with lots of simple install prompts and GUIs...

I have heard good things about SuSe as well, although RedHat is what I learned with just fine...

Thanks everyone for responding - I tried downloading redhat and I was taken through several lists ending up in a list of files. I will try the link killerserv offered.

Thanks again - I love the UNIX environment already!

Derek

RedHat 7.2 at redhat.com

When you goto download you are shown 3 files:
doc
iso
os

Do I look in os for operating system

or

Do I just copy the three files or do I have to look deeper?

are these really stupid questions?

derek,
If you wanted to install red hat7.2 (for the maximum Unix experience), then i suggest you buy the CD, It contains 2 CD *if im not mistaken. You may download from the net, yes but i dunt think so it will work fine or you might get confused of the diffrent files in diffrent sectors.