Can't lose with northern lights. Also have a look at Biggie Small (Doc Chronic). Main thing is to pick an Indica, or mostly Indica. Make sure don't switch from veg to flower too late or you may get too much height.

Rather than topping, I would suggest bending (LST), at least on your first grow. Topping is fine but it really works better with clones in my experience. Also some strains respond better to topping than others, and I assume that on a first grow you want things to "just work". Topping will also slow your plants down some as they recover, while bending does the opposite. Bending will encourage side branching...which will also be good for later if you decide to clone.

Use CFL's. not just regular Flo's....but only if you really can't manage a HID. It's really not that hard to run a 400W HID even in a 2'x2' closet.

Dboy