Where to get started?

[squierjosh]

I've been doing research and there's just SO MUCH information out there about what works, what doesn't, etc. Then I find something that works, and it's discontinued. Could anyone point me to a motherboard or a barebones system on newegg.com that might work? Or would a new eMachines or HP or some other model work right off the shelf with the right install DVD? (such as iatko or something similar?)

Thanks,
Overwhelmed wannabe OSX86 user