try irc, the server is freenode you can download xchat its got a version for windows as well if its easier to be in windows whilst chatting or a native linux version. Commen irc channels for distro's on freenode are:
slackware channel = #slackware
ubuntu channel = #ubuntu
fedora channel = #fedroa
mandriva channel = #mandriva
suse channel = #suse
pclinuxos support = #pclinuxos-support
pclinuxos = #pclinuxos
genreal linux = #linux
sabayon = #sabayon
debian = #debian
and loads more, to join a channel simly type "/join #ubuntu" for example for ubuntu or "/join #slackware" they will give you 1 to 1 real time support
could come in handy.
note = i do not suggest slackware as a distro to start on.
good starting distros are:
- ubuntu
- mandriva
- pclinuxos
- sabayon
- fedora