it is common that some rpm in the web is difficult to install due to dependency problem and incompatibility.
it is better that if the linux OS u install has everything in the DVD.

The smartest way for a newbie in the long term is to use repositories to install software. For the rpm distros think about yum , apt for rpm or the front-end to apt called synaptic.

i prefer the torrent as i have had very pore luck getting the jigdo thing to work properly so i could burn the ISO.

SuSe is a great distro from what i have seen. have only played around with 9.0, 9.2, and 9.3 very little, but i love several of the SuSe features that i have yet to figure out how to do in other distros when you put SuSe in a mixed inviroment with Linux and Windows.

as for XP bloat. yeah its a rather bloated OS when it is all patched and running slower then a dogs snail. as for debian or suse bloat, yup there can be, but i have yet to see a linux distro that when installed with a minimal install after the OS is fully patched be anything close to a bloat *grins*

love the power and freedom that is linux.