Thanks for all the advice, everyone's input is really appreciated.

I think I'll definitely try to network several computers at home as I read my books, I seem to learn better by actually doing things then figuring out why it does or doesn't work. I have a one-way satellite internet connection (uploads through the phone line, downloads through the dish) and I'm not really sure if it'll be harder to network than DSL or cable, I don't think it will be.

I'm going to buy a Linux OS this weekend, probably Mandrake or Red Hat (thanks to the replies I've got).