Hi all, new player here. I've been reading up a bit on the different D&D type systems, and, it's all a bit overwhelming.

If I were to really try and dig in to one or two systems, which do you think is the best? Which is the easiest for a new player to pick up?

I've seen some of the SRD's, but that's about all that I've seen.

The pathfinder SRD seems pretty complete, as someone looking in from the outside.

The 3.5 SRD seems a bit less developed

I've not had much luck finding a good 4e SRD - is there one out there that someone can point me at?

Thanks in advance.

Pathfinder and (parts of) 3.5 is published under the Open Gaming License, which is why you can easily find content for it on the internet. 4e isn't, which is why you haven't had much luck on that front.
Before providing any further comments, I'll have to ask: Did you specify D&D because it's a franchise that would accomplish your goals with Roleplaying Games, or because it's the most ubiquitous one and the one you associate with RPGs?
Secondary question: Will anyone in your group be familiar with any of the roleplaying systems?

D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder definitely have large SRDs due to the Open Gaming License, but the rules for those games are definitely very extensive. I very much enjoy how readily available a lot of that information is, and more importantly am a huge fan of how versatile those systems are... you can really branch out from the norm and build how you want to play.

But since you asked which system is easiest for newer players, I'd have to say 4e for sure. The rules are very streamline, and the grid and combat process are very structured that make things easier for players new to RPGs. Being able to see where everything is based in grids, and they way that all classes have their powers broken down makes things really easy. A fighter swinging his axe, and a wizard shooting a fireball are essentially the same sort of 'at will' action so you dont have the hurdle of learning to play a caster.

Aha, that all makes sense, thanks everyone!
Mown - I called out D&D specifically as that's really the only thing I or anyone that I play with, has ever played before. I see there are quite a few tabletop RPG's out there (now that I've looked) and will look into some of the others, but likely after a few games of D&D (I'm leading towards pathfinder right now).

Again - thank you all for the great responses!

4e is a very easy system to get a game set up and for new players to learn. Most of the classes are pretty straight forward and all the powers are pretty descriptive with how they work. Its not often a favorite among the more hardcore RPG players, but its a very good system to get you into the hobby for sure.

Sadly, it doesn't really help aside from showing people: "This is a caster, he is ranged. This is a fighter, he is melee." Honestly, I know it's a lesson everyone has to learn, but if you haven't figured it out from video games, you're just gonna have a hard time anyways.

~SE++

A hard time with what?

4e is definitely very easy to learn and play, I domt know how it stands on balance though. Its what I started on and have stuck to so far.

The Player Handbooks I and II are fairly balanced. When you get into more of the books, they tend to be a lot less balanced. Like, I made an assassin that (when out of combat), can pull off close to 60 damage in a single shot at level 1 with some high rolls.

~SE++

Meanwhile the ranger is just spamming Twin Strike.