Re: Unix
If you want easy desktop based Linux then use Mandrake, now Mandriva (not bad for server either), otherwise use Fedora Core 3. If you want hard time & challanging one then go for Slackware.
BSD (is the Unix not Linux) is good but not for desktop, though people dont mind it as desktop but I'd advise a web or FTP server as BSD (free or Open) I am not much fond off NetBSD.
Solaris on intel is not that great, I have been using Solaris 10 (Intel) for few months & now seriously thinking of replacing with some Linux flavour. I would choose Mandrake (Mandriva) so that my younger brother can learn some Linux/Unix too.
Red Hat 9 is old & unsupported. It doesn't have many drivers for new hardware, I'd recommend FC3 instead. RedHat 9 (Shrike) is definately a NO NO.