from what I can tell, it seems that the hardest linux aviable would be slackware and the easiest would be either Mandrake or SuSE

I got SuSE 9.1, and really enjoyed it but when I got my new processor I had problems with it..
the actual reason I got SuSE was not because it was easy but because it comes with a bunch of CD's packed with software I would not have to try to download with my dial-up connection, so it was perfect..
sometime.., hopefully in the next month, a wireless broadband ISP would be avaible in my area and I plan on getting that, when that happends I will not have to worry about my slow connection anymore and I will be free to try any linux I want to..

from what I have read, Gentoo is not the hardest linux but not the easiest either, it seems to be right in the middle.., with my new AMD64, I plan on trying the new Gentoo AMD64 when I get my broadband, I would just like to know how big of a learning curve I should expect...

I had no problems what-so-ever with SuSE, other then trying to get my internal modem to work with it.. (I ended up getting an external one)..
but I also hardly ever had to touch a counsole or anything because of yast..

also, what enviroment should I use with gentoo?; I had been using KDE with SuSE.., what does gentoo come with and which one would be best for me at this point?
I have no idea how to install things like that, or I probably would've droped KDE for something like fluxbox (or w/e it is)

thanx in advanced,
Byan