Hi all,

Firstly, wanted to say Hello to everyone (this being my first post). I've just installed Linux on my PC, and I hope I won't get flamed too much, but I'm dual booting with XP at the moment I've installed Linux because I'd like to try out a different OS, to learn more about what's happening on my PC, and learn a bit more about how software interacts with my PC.

I'm running Debian Linux (suggested by a friend as being a bit tougher to learn initally but worth it). I don't know the version to be honest but supposedly pretty new. I didn't know what to choose in terms of KDE or Gnome so I happened to go with KDE. I'm using KDE 3.1.

Probably like a lot of people that have used Windows since Windows 3 and up I'm facing a screen that has some similarities to what I'm used to and a lot of differences. I'm feeling excited by the prospect of learning a new system, concerened about being about to access my three most imporant functions (email, browsing, word processing) and amused by simple things that are just plain different. I think the wide selection of choice is one thing getting me. Eg. What should I use to read my email? I read on google that KMail can import direct from Outlook/Outlook Express, but can't compose new HTML messages. But there were disadvantages to Mozilla mail...

Anyway, finally to my question. Can anyone recommend a good newbie guide for someone like me that has a number of years experience with Windows (at home and in my IT support job)? At this stage I'm looking for something that helps me just scratch the surface. I have some inkling of the depth that Linux can go to, but I really just would like to learn tha basics at the moment.

I'd like to learn to:
a) access files from floppy, cd and zip drives
b) Import my email and favourites (I made sure to load Mozilla in XP and import my favorites and email before installing Linux)
c) learn the basic 'bits' i.e. the Linux versions of the bits I'm comfortable with in Windows eg. Explorer, control panel, admin tools etc.

Not sure if this is best, but maybe a KDE specific guide would be good? I'd like a handle on the GUI before even thinking about learning the inner workings.

Many thanks for your time.

Cheers,
Ozwalker

http://www.kde.org/documentation/

here ya go, happy reading

Hi Oz

The Linux Newbie Administrator guide is excellent for new Linux users - there's tons of good info at a pleasant level. It's always useful to know a little about the command line to complement anything more specific about your patrticular distribution.

http://linux-newbie.sunsite.dk/index.html

here you heva a good guide about linux: http://www.linux.org/lessons/beginner/toc.html

I'd suggest one of the "Bibles" I've been using windows since 3.1
and just stop using XP about a month ago. I bought the RH9 version but they have them for some of the other distros. The books are huge like 3" thick! they tell you EVERYTHING tips tricks and are easy to understand. But buy far this is still the best place to get your info. B4 I bought mine i'd say the ONLY reason i got up and running is thanks to everyone here.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Bit of reading for me there

hi

kde is a nice choice for newbies. its rather similar. of course you have a different kind of file organisation. just poke around the kde help and search in google.com/linux for your questions. there are several newbie guides and tutorials.

introduction to linux from tldp.org is a good choice.'

of course you have these forums to look into and your local linux user group if any

have fun

regards
rahul

Too long for me to read

Oreilly has an onlie book, Learning Debian/GNU Linux
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/debia...ook/index.html

DebianHELP
http://www.debianhelp.org/

About Debian Linux
http://www.aboutdebian.com/