I'm very new to linux and wanted to start off on the right foot. So I built a new box to run it on. I have a P4 2.8E running one 40 gig w/ windows xp pro and one 80 gig running mandrake 10.0 official. I really want to make the switch to linux but don't really know if this is the distro I should be learning the ins and outs.

Mandrake is a perfectly good distro to start off with. It will let you learn the basics but will also hold your hand through the learning process.

You have an excellent software manager called urpmi inbuilt into your system. Using it does mean dropping into a console, but it is a very easy program to use. Go to Easyurpmi to use their easy to use setup tool.

Welcome to LQ

First of all i want to say that you won't regret making the switch. I personally started with red-hat then moved on to try mandrake 9, and 9.2. After mandrake i started using slackware 9.1. Personally i like slackware way better than mandrake or red-hat. However i agree with Xavier mandrake is a good distro for the person that is starting off.
I think that the only way you'll feel comfortable with any linux distro is by trying them out, try to get the feel of as much linux distros as you like until you find the one you are more comfortable with. For now i'm sure mandrake will be just fine but as you progress try to get a copy of other distributions, or you can also try knoppix, or slax wich are linux distributions that don't need installation, they boot off the cd.

Thank you guys for your replies I can't wait to be more proficient with linux, I've ordered a few books and can't believe how excited I am to learn about this OS.