Perl vs Python?

[vulturesrow]

Hello all,

I am trying to do some serious self learning in the next few months. I have decided to start wtih learning either Perl or Python, and just wanted some opinions on both. I have some very basic programming knowledge, but for all intents and purposes you could consider me a beginner, but one who will be familiar with basic programming principles. My ultimate goal is to be able to program to help facilitate administering my own network. Thanks in advance.