i started off with mandrake, but since then i've come along way and now use freeBSD. Its alot easier to install stuff, manage and move around in all together. You can install any GUI on it, and atm i've been using gnome, but on another account my boyfriend uses fluxbox. I'd use fluxbox to, but the resolution is so high (1600x1200) and i have trouble seeing everything :P
www.freeBSD.org
freeBSD is unix, not linux, but once you use one, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference.