What Linux distribution is best for me

What Linux distribution is best for me?

Linux is petty good in not taking up much space. I'd recommend partitioning about half as it is the easiest option and is done by default in most Linux installers.

As for which distro, that is a matter of personal preference. I personally like openSUSE and use it both at home and at work.
http://opensuse.org

Many recommend Ubuntu for beginners. However I despise the Gnome interface, so I'd go with Kubuntu (Ubuntu with the KDE interface.
http://ubuntu.org
http://kubuntu.org

In any distro, to get multimedia files to play and 3d acceleration to work, you will have to do some tweaking. This is due to the fact that many of these drivers and codecs are proprietary. Older ATi graphics cards can be iffy under Linux. The graphics will work, but you may not have 3d acceleration.

Playing DVDs may even require you to break the law by downloading decss to break DVD encryption. Seems odd to have to break the law to allow the legal use of your DVD, doesn't it?