If you have a fast internet connection, my recomdation would be to get the latest copy of the Debian distribution. Why? The apt-get utilities on debian are top-notch and make upgrading as simple as typing apt-get update apt-get upgrade (it'll download/install latest patches/etc automatically for you.. only requirement, have a decent internet connection because those patches can add up to 20-30mb's...)

It's a very clean distribution that really puts Redhat to shames.. check it out.
-mark
PS - forgot to install tool xyz? No problem - apt-get install xyc and you're done!
...Still (barely, pending 1.1 release) proud to have owned an Empeg since 00287