Ideal Linux System for Newbies?

spiffyman asks: "In the next year, I'll begin advanced work in mathematics, and I'll also be upgrading my desktop box. In light of the advantages of Linux and FOSS in the area of science and mathematics, I want to convert from a Windows system to a dual-boot one with Linux. Primary tasks aside from math/logic activities will include learning intermediate programming, web maintenance, some computational linguistics (in Python), and LOTS of LaTeX work for my publishing activities. What do Slashdot readers recommend in terms of hardware, OS, software, and perhaps reading for a quasi-power Windows user (with no previous Linux experience) to convert to an all-Linux system?"

Same as a Windows system

[TuringTest]

The one that is babysitted and administered by an expert.

A Mac

[pdo400]

You'll be able to do all your work AND get laid more.

Re:gentoo

[lpcustom]

LFS [linuxfromscratch.org] would be much better for a newbie!

Re:No Experience?

[pizpot]

The majority of them want to run the installer CD and then just have everything be set up and work.

Me, I'm an old hpux admin. I like a distro that I have to spend all day installing. I like it even better if I need a 2nd computer to solve problems.

Re:gentoo

[Anonymous Coward]

As long as you want to be a grammar nazi, "couple" is also a verb. Oddly enough, you chose to associate it with "pair" which is also a verb.

Re:No Experience?

[pbaer]

Six Words: Internet Freedom Disk you Communist Pinko

Re:OSX

[rob1980]

Why on earth would you ever want to run Windows ME? I'd rather pay somebody 5 bucks to kick me in the jimmy than put that lump of catshit on my computer.

Re:No Experience?

[uncoveror]

Ideal Linux system for newbies? I recognize the words, but together they make no sense.