I was looking at linux recently, and I must say, it's really confusing. Since there are no disks to buy you already need an OS to connect to a distro. The word distributor makes me think I'm pedeling marijuana or crack. But want I want to know isÂ
1) Do you need an OS already?Â
2) How do Iknow which distro to choose?
3) Do I sound like I have no idea what I'm talking about?Â
You do not need an OS on the machine you are installing it on, you will, however, need to burn the installation files on to a disk.
Ya you dont need a OS installed already you can boot from cd and you dont even need to install even you can use live cd, dont get into the distro stuff untill you start using linux honestly im still using ubuntu 9.04 (latest) but im still getting used to things, and yes you do sound like you have no idea what your talking about 
 lol
I am willing to educate about anything when it comes to the OpenSource world.
The distro you need to choose really depends on what you plan on doing with it.. and how much of the underlying system you want to understand.
I have administered a great many *NIX boxes, and I have installed and played with a great many more. (some of which don't exist anymore)
I am more than happy to help you out in any way possible.