I'd install Ubuntu 8.04 for the first time. If you don't like it, try another distro.
Ubuntu and Gnome is one of the best combinations out there and is very user-friendly.
First of all, what do you plan to do with this computer?
God, if this ever happened to my ISP, I'd send 5 million complaints about it.
I doubt this will ever happen. If it does, I will hate the internet. I go onto many sites, not just 200 popular ones.
I have 8.04 too and it works great! It is way faster than Windows XP too.
I also suggest 8.04 + Gnome to anyone. (especially if you are fed up with Windows)