I am a relatively a newbie when it comes to Linux and would like to know the best Linux Operating System/Distribution for a Linux Virgin like myself. is there a version i can download and install directly on my computer and work alongside Windows? And a version that I do not have to burn on CD, because everytime I try to burn sometimes it does not work for me so a version that does not require a burn would be nice.
Not all the time, you can install any Linux version from a Flash Drive, I've done it and works all the time, so there is no need to Burn a CD/DVD to install.
Well for me, I've tried just about all of them, and they all seem to be pretty kool.
so for my best Linux i have 3 I use, 1. PCLinuxOS on my NetBook, 2. SuSe on School Laptop 3. Ubuntu with KDE on Home Laptop, All 3 work great and at least 50-70% of all windows programs run in them, as long as you also use a Windows Emulator like "WINE" located here http://www.winehq.org, best part of Both above Linuxes, Both of them can be installed from a Flash Drive, so if you have one of those NetBooks that do not have a CDROM drive then you can take Linux with you. I have 3 Laptops, all 3 have a different Version of Linux on them, but all of them work Great.
I cut my teeth on Ubuntu and think it is great for beginners. It also allows you to learn what you need to learn to migrate to something like Debian, later on.
Ok, if you don't want to burn a CD, use Wubi. Install it like another Windows app, and it will put Ubuntu into a dual boot with Windows, and you can choose between the two on startup. Also, if you decide Ubuntu isn't for you, you can uninstall it like another Windows app. Install normally takes a little bit, as it downloads and installs the files on the fly when you run the installer.
I recommend either Ubuntu, or Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu).
If you want to run it in windows, download and install virtual box, and install it in a virtual machine before you take the full plunge.