I have been using Linux for about 3 years, I an not a poweruser or systems administrator, though I have a strong desire to learn. I have used the command prompt, but to only a small degree, and have edited files necessary for Redhat to recognize my cdrom and dvd drives. I am obsessed with finding the ultimate Operating System (not sure why) I used to use the BeOs, don't know if any of you all remember that one, loved it, it was fast. Anyway I really would love to be able to use gentoo, will I be able to just follow the install instructions on the website and do an install, or would I not have the linux basics down enough, for instance I don't know how to compile a kernel.

You can install gentoo with the installation doc's from the website.Printing them out is a plus.You will have to compile the kernel but that is explained in the doc's.What isn't explained there is what you need to compile into the kernel - depends on your box.To find out what you need have a look at the kernel log to see what gets loaded at startup.Might also be a good idea to partition the hd before you thow gentoo on there with some tool you are familiar with.Best bet is to install it and keep you existing OS and it's bootloader.Don't install the bootloader for gentoo.That way you can get into an environment you know if something goes wrong.

Compiling the kernel is possibly the only difficult thing you need to do since the instructions on the Gentoo site are so good they make everything else a walk in the park. As crashmeister said, go for another partition if you have the free space and you could even put another redhat on their to start with, anything really, and use that for some experimenting. Try some kernel recompiles, or anything else which may be a cause for concern until you're comfortable with the procedures, then wipe it and go for Gentoo. Installing Gentoo can be quite time consuming so it's always nice if you can nail it first time.

My own install still has mdk 9 on it, although I don't use it as such it's still comforting to have there as it also allows me to boot into that and repair anything I might mess up on Gentoo.

Don't forget about the gentoo forums.They are a must if you are a dummy like myself.Did find a fix for everything I screwed up so far there and that includes killing the compiler and python.