My OPT will expire in May 2006, shall I apply for H1-B of 2005 or 2006? I will got a formal offer early January,if i wanna start working in January, will H1-B2005 OR H1-B 2006 a better choice for me? feel highly confused and thank you very much for your help!

I might be wrong. but my understanding is that the quotes for 2005 will expire in October 2005 and that for 2006 will expire in October 2006. Since I am going to get the offer in January 2006, I can only apply for 2006's H1-B, which is effective between October 2005 and October 2006. Let me know if i am wrong. feel more confused now......