Fed up with Windoze, ready for Linux!

[Kyoshi]

I am sick of microsuck, and want to learn Linux, but I am hesitant to install Linux on my HD along with W98. I'm considering getting a second HD and installing Linux on it, but I'm not sure which dist. would be best, since I'm new to it, but want to learn coding, etc. Any suggestions?

[FoBoT]

going with a second hd is a good idea, if you are hardware savvy, there are many threads here about people having trouble with dual boot win/linux (not that it can't be done, but is sometimes tricky)

as far as which distro?
that is like which kind of vanilla ice cream should i get :D

check the distro newbieized help file (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/distronhf.html) to start

and welcome to LNO!! :)