You can find Mepis on several mirrors for free ( yes, it's legal ). I think there is a Community free edition for Xandros. If you want a good look at linux first, download Knoppix which is a live-cd. You can run the CD without installing. Good luck!
ping
I'd go with the KDE desktop technology, over GNOME, since KDE is a little more windows like, and since KDE has been a long standing strength of SuSE (though their corporate owner Novell also owns Gnome now as well ;).
One weakness of SuSE 9.3 is the limited MP3 multimedia support. See First Look at SUSE LINUX 9.3 Professional - Multimedia support... or lack of it for details. From that review, it seems that one can update to more complete MP3 support using the YaST Online Update (YOU) facility over the internet, after you install the CD package.
The previous version, SuSE 9.2 Professional is available at LinuxCentral.com, for $72.95. The lower priced ($10 or $20) packages won't include the good manual set, which is worth getting your first time.
The just released version 9.3 is only available from a few spots, such as DigitalRiver.com, for $99.95. If you want to wait a few weeks, I'd wager that other places such as LinuxCentral.com will have SuSE 9.3, for perhaps $10 less.
I'd suggest Suse, too.
Install both Gnome and KDE, so you can see which you like best.
It's almost ready for prime time!
I had Mandrake like 3 different versions,Slackware,Redhat 2 different versions, Knoppix newer version,peanut linux... HATED IT! Back to WindowsXP :P.
To reiterate several replies, I too recommend Suse linux. I previously used Redhad, and found Suse has a much easier set up process. For instance, setting up it as a samba server was an easier process (for those who don't know, it allows file sharing between a Linux PC and a Windows PC).
I currently run Fedora Core, and it works really well. As other posters have mentioned, I've heard good things about SuSe as well.
Both distros are full-fledged packages that will offer the user anything they could want--including multiple browsers, office suites, music players, video, etc.
Several people I know use MEPIS and Xandros. I have not personally used them, but they seem to like them a lot.
One STRONG word of advice--once you pick one, stick with it and learn that particular distro. Don't run around and try them all out at once, as it may make things a little harder to learn. Menus are organized a little differently, etc.
Several posters have also mentioned Knoppix. This Live CD is based on Debian, which is a rock-solid distro. While there are quite a few Live CD versions available, Knoppix is the grand-daddy of them. It may also help you learn a few things about Linux as well.
Once you pick one and install it, please come back and ping us to let us know how things went. Also, I'd be happy to assist in any way I can.
Check reviews for other distributions before you commit time to putting one on a hard drive. This thread has some very good suggestions.
If you are a serious computer hobbiest, try Gentoo. It is a PAIN to install, but the docs are good, and you'll learn more about the underlying software.
Technically, NOT Linux.
Since you mentioned your family, I'll add a very strong recommendation for Dansguardian for whatever distribution you decide to go with. It's a free, powerful content filter which will allow you to control access to what gets onto your system - either software/malware-wise or inappropriate web material. It's default configuration is pretty restrictive but it's easy to administer in order to tailor it to what you deem appropriate.
SuSE has excellent manuals, and has for a long time.
For just getting your feet wet, you could get a Knoppix CD. These run "live" from the CD and automatically detect your hardware. You can experiment with Linux without actually installing it to your hard drive. They also make great utility/rescue disks.
I really like ubuntu, b/c of the gnome desktop. Mepis is phenomenally easy, and very feature rich.