So it's about time I started getting to grips with linux and have a few questions that need anwering.

First off I have read SUSE or Mandrake is the way to go for someone like myself, essentially I just want to browse the net, check it out y'know, nothing to hectic to get started.

Which do you recommend? Are they free/downloadable?

Is it easy to dual boot with XP?

Any other things I should bear in mind?

Lastly and most importantly, do I need all 5 cds of SUSE or just the first to install it?

TIA for the help and sorry for asking questions that have probably been asked many times before me

Welcome to LQ.

Mandrake can be downloaded from free but not SuSE.

Yes - dual booting is pretty easy. I think Mandrake is actually pretty good at autodetecting your windows installation. If not then there are plenty of threads on this subject on this site.

It isn't windows and don't expect it to be Remember your root password (this is your administrative account) also create at least one other account and use this for day to day tasks like web browsing.

You usually only need the first 3 CDs. the other two are most likely source (probably says src in the file name)

If you need more help don't hesitate to reply to this thread or use the search:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/search.php

There is also lost of usful information on the LQ Wiki:
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/

Thanks, going to give the SUSE eval a try first and see how I go.