Hello my name is Jim and I am a newbie. I have a few questions about getting started.

1) I have RedHat 6.0 and want a very basic install.
a) I would like to connect to my service provider via an external modem.
b) The most basic form of X-window--so I can use a browser.
c) Every available programming language--perl, c, c++, python, php etc...
d) A web server--to practice cgi scripts
e) An SQL server--to practice php
f) and stuff like telnet, ftp--application level networking programs

2) Should I get the new kernel?

3) I want to be able to compile new applications--should I download the latest versions of the above, or get them from the RedHat6.0 CD

4) Basically I want a Bash shell with all the basic Unix commands I will need to practice for classes--Unix tools and scripts, and Unix administration.

.
Any help will be useful.

RH6 is quite old and installation of many newer programs can be hard (newer libraries required).
1)
a) No problem, install pppd and any dialler (or even without a dialler)
b) X Window, small window manager (Window Maker, Blackbox etc) and a browser (rather something new, downloaded).
c) Choose "Development" during install.
d) Chose "Web server"
e) I think there's "SQL Server" section to choose, if not, you should search for an SQL (MySQL, for example).
f) Installed by default (network client)
2) Yes, it's always a good idea. AFAIK 6.0 uses one of 2.2.x series, so you'd rather stay with them (upgrade to 2.4.x is possible, but not easy for a begginer, leave it for now).
3) Many programs will ask you about newer libraries. that's why it's a good idea to use RH 7.3 or 7.2
4) Bash is installed by default.