should i be in a specific folder when trying those commands? I tried both apt-get and yum and both said bash: apt-get/yum: command not found

Bi0haZarD
Distribution: Red Hat 9.0

I got spoiled already by using Fedora3 which has a lot of stuff available right from the start.
If you can, I would recommend that you do a fresh install ( not upgrade from 9.0 ) of Fedora 3.
It is the best version of Redhat yet! IMHO of course.

If you still want the apt-get and synaptic tools installed on RH9.0 , do a google search for
pbone apt-get rpm then download the rpm file and install it.
Then you run the command as root user: apt-get update and apt-get install synaptic

alright, i'll download fedora. if its more then 2 CD's it'll be a couple days since my ISP sucks lol.

It's 4 cds But you can still practice up a bit with rh9.
Install the apt-get rpm like this. For example: apt-get 1.2.3.4-56.rpm
rpm -Uvh apt-get 1.2.3.4-56.rpm

yea just saw its 4 CD's, each about 650 megs. i got a cap of roughly 400 megs download per day. not to mention games/normal websurfin and dad downloadin pr0n lol. so i'll stick to RH9 till i feel somewhat confident in running linux.

I've gone to the pbone website to get the apt-get rpm. i installed it but i'm guessing its a problem with my home directory being set to /usr/bash insted of /usr/bin???

if i did a format and complete reinstall of linux with the option for "full installation" selected, how much of my problem with apt-get would go away? and would doing a full install be wise for such a newb as myself so i wouldn't have to worry about reinstalling certain stuff off the CD's later on.

*really kickin myself in the rear now for not paying attention in Network Administration class... DAMN YOU COUNTER-STRIKE!* lol.

Edit: if you can afford a couple of bucks to buy cds, I have had good success with http://www.linuxcd.org/?ref=distrowatch
That beats hogging up all of your network for downloads.

Re-installs are good practice also! You should be able to do a custom install instead of a full install. I usually get the development packages and system administration packages at least. But hey, if you have the room and time, go ahead with a full install.
Normally, I would tell you to use the package update program to get your system packages installed but it never did work worth beans ( for me ) on any of the Redhats until Fedora3. With FC3 it works so you could go back and install parts of the system which you may have skipped during installation.