A few resources for today's install

Learning about Linux

Linux in General

• Video intro to Linux from How Stuff Works.
  • Note that the "hardware" section of this site has a lot of other useful videos that will help you understand your computer better: adding RAM, adding a video card, buying a laptop, changing BIOS settings, and the like.
• General background is on Wikipedia (of course)
• Linux.org's Getting Started with Linux online tutorial (more technical)

Ubuntu Linux in Particular

Ubuntu is arguably the most consumer-friendly Linux, and it provides some instructional videos to match that reputation.

• Video intro to Ubuntu Linux
• Installing Ubuntu
• Synaptic software installer
• Printing
• Installing Flash

Choosing a Linux "Distro"

There are many flavors ("distributions" or "distros) of Linux. Ubuntu is a great choice for your first Linux experience, but if you decide to consider others -- for example, if your computer is too old to run Ubuntu well -- the following sites will help you pick.

• zegeniestudios quiz/wizard
• polishlinux.org quiz/wizard
• linuxquestions.org narrative