I also want something which I can learn the intricacies of (I don't want something TOO dumbed down). Is Ubuntu pretty and also good for beginners who want to progress through more advanced linux processes? Or should I go with Fedora Core 6?

i think you should go with ubuntu. i am 100% sure i will get flames for this though, because the other choice is fedora core 6, both of these have really strong opinions in this forum.
In ubuntu you rarely have to go to the command line for anything
You also can use automatix which makes it extremely easy to install codecs, you never have to manually edit your sources.list
but also with Ubuntu, you have the option to learn if you feel like it, instead of synaptic, use apt-get, instead of clicking "Actions> edit as root" use "sudo gedit". You can learn enough from Ubuntu, to be able to tackle Debian, no problem.
after having ubuntu for 2 months, i made the switch to Debian, and got it installed in 10 minus the time for the netinst packages to download. then got everything looking exactly as i wanted within an hour, you should definitely go with ubuntu

Debian.

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Ive only been using Debian for a week and have to say its much better than Ubuntu. Ubuntu feels like 'toy' linux.

Yea but I WANT to be forced to go to the command line. At this point I'm deciding between Debian, Mandrake and Gentoo.

debian then, im about to try gentoo myself

In terms of dowloading Debian, I'm seeing a shitload of ISO cd files and 3 dvd file torrents. I mean, what ISO files do I need to download? Am I looking in the wrong place?

http://ftp.keystealth.org/debian-cd/4.0_r0/i386/iso-cd/

If you want to be thrown at the command line and learn from it, go with Gentoo (and don't even think about using the gui installer).

The Gentoo Handbook will walk you through installing, using and maintaining your system, and explains everything you need to do instead of just presenting meaningless commands.

There is a lot of support through the documentation on gentoo.org, the gentoo wiki, mailing lists and the gentoo forums to help if you are confused or anything doesn't work.

I know most people won't recommend Gentoo to a new user, but just going through the installation process, compiling your first kernel and installing Xorg will force you to learn a whole lot about linux.

download the netinst image
http://www.us.debian.org/CD/netinst/

http://tinyurl.com/clfvw

Direct link to the one you want.

Debian's site does not make it particularly obvious.

years ago i used mandrake 8, bad idea to introduce myself to linux. ive tried many many distro's and debian is the one that i like the most so far. so go with debian/ubuntu

^--------go with that one, tis what i use

Wasn't there a thread here a while ago saying how if you use slackware you'll either be driven to the farthest reaches of madness slaughtering everything you know and love, but you could also ascend into godhood? I think you want that.

Definitely Ubuntu, I used to have Fedora Core, and it was such a pain in the ass. I hated it. I'm much happier with Ubuntu.

knoppix

Slackware will FORCE you to learn, so go with it.

ubuntu just makes all ur basic needs easier to setup and does all the stupid tedious shit automatically. just seems more practical than getting debian on a normal desktop.ehhh just learn to use terminal more. plus all debian packages are compatible ubuntu but not all ubuntu deb packages are compatible with debian. ehh if you don't give a shit how bad this is to the linux community then it's probably better for you.

To be honest, I would suggest ubuntu if you have no prior experience with *nix. It can be quite overwhelming after 10+ years of windows.

Don't stick with ubuntu though.... you'll just get lazy

The answer is obviously slackware.

Slackware + e17 = fucking hot.