🚀 go-pugleaf

Ok , here's my situation. I hope someone can shed a little light for
me.
I have a 3 pc network at home, connected via a linksys router. I am
connected to the net via DSL.
All machines currently run Windows. 

Now, I am an avid Mudder, and after years of playing muds, I have
decided to try my hand at running one :)
I have the time it will take to learn the ropes, and I want to convert
one machine over to pure Linux, this machine will serve as my learning
tool for Linux, basic C programming, and also the server for the Mud
when it is complete.
After reading a lot about Linux over the last few weeks, I have
decided to go with SUSE 7.1 as my initial OS.
Here's where I am stuck, EVERY download link to Linux that I can find,
drops me into a FTP site that has gazillions of folders and subfolders
with absolutely NO info on what I need to download.
Most of these folder names are new to me, so I don't know what files
to pull.
My intent was to download SUSE 7.1, burn it, and install it on a clean
HDD on the third machine. That way, I dont have to worry about the
dual boots and stuff.
Is there anywhere that will shed some light as to which files to
actually download?
Thanks all!