I've messed with Linux many times on and off for a couple years now. I've messed with Debian, Red Hat, Suse, Mandrake, but the only ones i became 'slightly' productive on were FreeBSD (i know not Linux), and Slackware.

I liked these 2 b/c i got to get my hands dirty and by doing so slowly learned what i was actually doing. With the other distros they just tried to do everything for me and i never knew what was actually going on, so when they couldn't do something for me i was clueless.

Now i'm in a pickle since i'm thinking of jumping back into the Linux bandwagon. I want something that gives me a basic system, and i can slowly add things as i learn how to and so on. Ya know, something that will make me learn. I liked Slackware alot b/c it was pretty simple and stuff and it did have me work.

Right now i'm looking at:
Slackware
Gentoo
LFS

So please leave any comments you may have for me and thanks alot in advance.

Lance

Slack is probably a good idea for you.

Good choice, I'd also add Debian.

Yea good choices, but don't forget about freebsd.

If you really want a basic system to start with then go Gentoo. You will learn a lot.

But I prefer Slack.

I have decided to go Gentoo. Although i did well with Slackware in the past, and enjoyed it, i'm up for a rewarding challenge.

ok for ultra newb, redhat or gentoo ?

If for real newbie, with not much knowledge about OSes and computers in general and when you have the 2 to choose from, definitely RH.