ok.. I personaly woudlnt chose Redhat not now they rm 'ed the console tools and worried too much about the GUI..

go more with slackware or mandrake..
There are MSN Messanger alternatives you can even get a Linux Version.. as well as you can run Windows Emulators(sp?)

Your kind of Vauge with your AI thing what you going to make the AI part in? Lisp?.... what?


Thanks
Wispy