I didn't really know where to put this, because I need to take several factors into consideration. I guess the emphasis is on looks, so I put it here.

I want a somewhat easy to install distro. Anything with a graphical installer would be prefered, but I can handle anything with instructions. I haven't been keeping up with Linux, but I seen x.org has support for native transparency and in turn, drop shadows. I would like to have this, but I have no clue when/how to install it.

Can anyone suggest a distro for me and tell me how to get transparency?

Thanks.

Edit: I also just remembered, some of my friends that use Linux always talk about the portage system and how Gentoo is so great. I tried to install Gentoo before, but I got bored and never finished it(damn you Attention Deficit Disorder.) Is there any way to get the portage system on another distro, or would that even make any sense(I don't know what portage is, I just know that I want it)?

Well, Gentoo has different starting points (stages) for install. They have the "compile it all" version (stage 1?), which might be what you first tried.

You might want to look into a Stage 3 (again, forgive me if I mis-state the exact terminology, but the concept is accurate) install, which starts you with a basic pre-compiled system, then you just add in what you need/want.

you're right on with the terminology.

everything you need to know, step by step, is in the Gentoo Handbook. and there is also a forum dedicated to Gentoo if you have specific questions.

http://desktop.vidalinux.com/

Okay, I chose Vidalinux to install because it seems to have everything I need. One thing I am concerned about though, is my graphics card. I have an ATI Radeon 9800XT. Last time I checked the ATI site for Linux support, it said I needed to compile a kernel with support for my graphics card to be able to use it properly. Am I going to need to do that with Vidalinux?

No. It should just be a matter of "emerging" the correct drivers and editing your xorg.conf. Check the vidalinux forums, there must be a tutorial or thread about it there somewhere.