I wouldn't consider a boa to be a good beginner snake.. their size would be a bit much for someone who's never worked with snakes before.
Here's a previous post of mine about balls vs corns. You decide. :]
This post has a lot of good info in it, check it out.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=73509
Also make sure if you decide to get a ball python to read up on the caresheet.
Here: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=59
Or if you decide to get a corn read up on the caresheet as well.
Here: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=12