Mountain Biking - Advice on full suspension mtb

A friend of mine is looking into starting mtb with me but insists on a full suspenion bike as his starter. Are there any good full suspension bikes between $500-$1000? I'd appreciate any recommendations!

Also, as a rule of thumb I've heard hardtails are recommended for starters, does anyone discourage my buddy from getting a full suspension setup since he's a beginner? Thanks!

Yes, i would discourage him from getting a full suspension bike if he's a beginner. If you start on a full suspension bike in that price range he won't ever learn to pick a line, like with a hardtail, he'll just roll right over stuff. Once you learn to pick a line with a hardtail, then you can advance to fully as you will have learned to pick a proper line. Also, it will be very hard to find a quality full suspension bike in the 500-1000 price range.

You said it=)

Also, it will be very hard to find a quality full suspension bike in the 500-1000 price range.

That's what I was thinking.

Can you name some quality hardtails in the $500 range?

Yes, i would discourage him from getting a full suspension bike if he's a beginner. If you start on a full suspension bike in that price range he won't ever learn to pick a line, like with a hardtail, he'll just roll right over stuff. Once you learn to pick a line with a hardtail, then you can advance to fully as you will have learned to pick a proper line. Also, it will be very hard to find a quality full suspension bike in the 500-1000 price range.
As someone who jumped too quickly from hardtail to dualy, I have to agree with Roxter. I was really disappointed with my Specialized FSR XC Comp and went back to my Rockhopper. Now I'm back on the dualy.
I would add some other skill sets in addition to picking a line, learning hopping, controling the rear tire on roots, riding out of the saddle (the dual suspension really promotes some bad habits with riding out of the saddle). Maybe Roxter was including all those in the term, choosing a line.
I don't think I agree that you can not find a good FS for $1000. I think the basic FSR XC is a little over $1000, Gary Fisher Cake 3 is $1200 and the Trek fuel 70 is 1050. I guess strictly speaking, all these bikes are a little more than $1000 and they are all a little heavy, but I came close to buying each of these and I think they are not bad bikes.
As for a hardtail bike, I'm biased but I really like the Specialized Rockhopper. I think you'll find I'm not alone. If you look through the other newbie recommendation threads, Rockhopper always seems to appear. I have the basic bike, and I think it's enough for a starter bike, especially if your freind intends to sell it in a year or two to move to a full suspension.
All of this is just my $.02.