Would appreciate any links or tips to get started with some linux flavor that might work for me. I am on an HP machine running windows 7 and looking for linux that a beginner can learn on. Thanks!

Hi & Welcome to Linux Questions-

If your new to Linux I recommend running Linux Mint 17.
Cinnamon is nice but so is Mate-

Download the .iso for your computers architecture. (32-bit or 64-bit) and burn it at a slow speed to a CD/DVD.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

If the CD or DVD doesn't boot go into your BIOS and set the boot priority to CDROM.
Than save the changes and exit your BIOS. The Live Linux Mint CD/DVD should than boot and walk you through the isntallation.

If you want to install Linux along side of Windows 7 there is an option during the Mint installation that will enable you to do that.

One of the nice things about Linux is the choice of user interfaces. Mint comes with Mate or Cinnamon, and is very good with either.

PCLinuxOS is also good for a beginner, and uses KDE: lots of eye-candy!

If you'd like your computer to look like a tablet or smart-phone - some people do - there's Ubuntu, with Unity or Gnome.

Have a look at the screen-shots and descriptions here:
https://renewablepcs.wordpress.com/a...gnome-or-xfce/

Slackware is about as stable as it gets.