I am really wanting to make the switch from Windows to Linux. I have done so a couple times and seem to get too confused. I should start off by saying that the reason I want to swith to Linux is to learn more about my computer and how it works. I know and understand that this will take a great deal of time and effort on my part.

With that said, my main problem with Linux is that it seems like there is too much to start off with. I get confused on all the different distros, what gnome and kde are and how they are different other than looks. In the "start" menu (dont get mad that I called it that, I just dont know the exact term) there are about five ways of doing the same thing. There seems to be one program to change the screen size and one totally different program to change the desktop background.

What I am really needing is an EXCELLENT book, or website, that tells me, in detail, what linux is and how it works, all the way to adding a dialup connection and setting up a cd-burner. How to use the command line and make sense of all these aprameters that I keep seeing everywhere! Also, something that takes the confusion out of all the different distros. Sometimes I think that if I go Mandrake, I can't use Red Hat rpms. How are programs installed and step by step on how to do many easy to very hard tasks.

I know there has to be a book out there like this. Too many books I have seen assume I already know how to use linux and vaguely touch on a fe.w areas.

I have been reading these forums for about a week and know the power linux possesses but I need to know how to harness this power. I just thought that the people that already know how to use linux could look at their shelves and tell me the book that taught them the most as far as running linux as confidently as someone does now on Windows.

Thank you,
dropslash

Try to go through these lessons:
http://www.linux.org/lessons/
I found them helpful when trying to figure out what the heck Linux was all about. With that said, you'll never truly figure it out without actually playing with the operating system. You should download and burn Knoppix, and follow their instructions on running it. No installing is necessary, and don't get upset if it's a little slow, that's inevitable when you run everything off of your CD-ROM. Good luck, and enjoy!!!

This is also a great book, but it can be a little advanced for some beginners. I love it, and it's a great reference for when you really get going. It's called Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition

http://www.icon.co.za/~psheer/book/index.html.gz

maybe this will help?

Getting Started Guide
Designed to help new users begin using Red Hat Linux in a short amount of time, this guide explores several basic concepts involved in the day-to-day use of the operating system, including file management, configuring a dial-up connection, and using the desktop environment.
https://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-9-Manual/

or

A complete reference for new Linux users who wish to set up and administer their own Linux home computer, workstation and/or their home or small office network. The answers are meant to be simple, with just sufficient detail, and always supported with a readily usable example.
http://linux-newbie.sunsite.dk/index.html

and see Rute's (my favorite):
http://www.icon.co.za/~psheer/book/rute.html.gz


there's no getting around doing some reading, and it's going to take some time and repetition to get used to the terminology. best thing to do is read the above, run more google and LQ searches with variations on "linux" "tutorial" "howto" etc. - then come back here with specific questions on what you don't understand.

good luck

Thank you very much for the quick and courteous responses. But keep the posts coming if there are other good resources out there!