Hey,

I am a current owner of a 13in retina MacBook pro.

I am a web developer, and quite familiar with Python as well, and I wished to expand my knowledge with Linux/Unix, and learn more about Python, and more general purpose languages such as C++ and more low level coding. I figure a great and fun way is to hack around in Linux/Unix, so I'm wondering on any recommendations?

I wanted to dual boot it, because I may actually find a better work flow on my Laptop, then in OSX.
Is it even possible to hack around in OSX? I've seen some impressive desktops on unixporn, but it seams te majority are just running a WM on top of Aqua, instead of replacing it. (Which I believe would be the equivalent of running, hypothetically, two wm's at the same time? Could be wrong)
What Linux/Unix OS would be best? Debian I've heard a lot about, staying away from Ubuntu or mint or any other bloated OS, simplicity ISNT fun. Or perhaps Gentoo/fedora/arch? Or one of the main BSD distros? I've taken a liking to these in particular, but maybe point me in a direction of another OS, or emphasize one in which you favour.

Also, to learn more basic programming like Lua, I wanted to hack with the WM as well(awesomeWM is in Lua, Qtile in Python, etc) is this decent experience for someone that already has an understanding of development, and a quick way to pick up a language or two or six?

I wish to just mess around in spare time, break the system a few dozen times and just see what I can do.


Thanks for taking a time to read,
- Oz


EDIT:
A thought I've been pondering, was to actually make a PC build, and I've looked into one, but I only find knowledge for what seams to be a build for gamers, and as I do not game I do not require the fancy stuff; yet I wanted to build a pc for *nix, just not sure where to start. But maybe some knowledge on that would be handy as well! Thanks again!