I'll save him a little time.
1) Yes. If you want to learn more about computers and such, this is a good learning experience.
2) Mandrake is good for beginners, Fedora (free Red Hat) is popular too. You shouldn't have to pay for any Linux OS. http://www.linuxiso.org
3) It's not Windows, so your first experience with it will probably be very strange. I recommend you try to RTFM before asking questions because some of the questions about Linux are like asking "What does that button in the lower left do?" to a Windows user  If you would like more advice search in Google for Linux FAQs, Linux Guides, Linux Tutorials, etc. The info is damn near endless.
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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"
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