Can someone recommend a great Digital SLR camera for under $1000?

I would definitely recommend the Nikon D50, as the D70 is probably over your budget. The Canon Digital Rebel is a bit more expensive than the Nikon D50, and even though it is about as good, some people have complained that its grip is too small for comfort; it feels more like a toy. I looked at the Olympus line for a while too (the E-300 and E-500). The Olympus seem to be pretty nice considering the price, but there were a couple reasons why I stayed away from it. One reason is the start up time, which is almost 2 seconds compared to the Nikon D50's 0.2 seconds. The other reason is Olympus is fairly new in this market and has no where near the number of 1st party and 3rd party lenses as those of Nikon and Canon. As a result, I would say the Nikon D50 is your best bet. I tested these cameras and ended up getting the Nikon D50. It's been excellent, and I would buy it all over again. If you are still unsure, checkout the ratings from some of the links below.

I use a E-500 Olympus with the price is 800$.
IT's really exellent and it's my best friend

I would recommend either the Canon Digital Rebel series or the Nikon D70 or D50 cameras. Thy are excellent and the kits start well below the $1000. I have the Digital Rebel and have gotten great results with it. The Olympus E Series is good, but they're actually a tad late to the game and a bit pricey for a lot of bells & whistles that you may not even use.