hmm,

If you are new to linux, and just want to explore. With as many options as possible. I would do a custom install, and select the INSTALL EVERYTHING box when it asks you about packages. This will take up (accross all partitions, and I am guessing from my memory of the times I did it) a bit less than 3 gigs. most of this in your /usr directory, so make sure that that partition is pretty big.

Having said that, I am about at the point of wiping my machine, performing a bare bones install, with X and a browser, the kernel and regular development tools. Once I have that system up, I will install the latest versions from the web of only the packages that I need/want as I go.

Not sure if this is a good idea or not, but... I think I am going to do it, as I have no idea what half of the apps on my machine are, and certainly never use them.

Good luck, and have fun.

Some good resources are at..

www.linuxnewbie.org

Also check out MsMittens Tut in the Tutorial forum on installing linux.

IchNiSan