so, uh... i wanna go back to linux

[sharkz]

lately on weekends i start to think about it and i really think my current winXP installation is crap.

When i had linux before, like 2 years ago i enjoyed it pretty well. I used mandrake.

So what i'm looking for from this thread is suggestions on the following things:

what distro i should use - mandrake having gone commercial (correct me if i'm wrong about that), what do you guys like? I've heard good things about suse (i know they're commercial too but i think i could get ahold of it) and also debian although i'd be a little unsure of myself with debian's installer. recommendations pleeeeeeeeeeez.

Applications:

iPod - I know there's a buncha stuff out there for updating your iPod with linux, but if there's anyone here who's done it hearing from them would be great comfort.

Video Editing - again, i know there's stuff out there. but any recommendation would be great.

DVD Authoring - I got a DVD burner (<3<3<3) a while ago and would be looking for an app, wouldn't have to be complicated, that i could make a nice simple menu for my videos that i want on DVD.

also would be looking for a nice CD burning app.

edit -
Photo Importing Software - something in the ilk of iphoto or picasa that supports my camera [USB, xD card]