i think the best linux distrib for the desktop is
caldera openlinux 3.1
no configs necessary at all
a very windows like post install that lasts 5-10 minutes and sets up everything very well
also while the files are being copied it lets you play solitaire ;-)
on the server you would probably go redhat but caldera has some decent stuff there as well
PS i dont work for caldera ok i just like it