who/what can teach me linux?

I recently downloaded linux 7.1 and burnt it onto CDs. I had never had ANY prior expirence with linux and being as nieve as I am I assumed that linux would be as easy to pick up as windows (christ was I wrong) after accidently destroying everything on my harddrive I eventually got linux installed. It was only after it booted up into a very odd desktop environment that I realized I might be in over my head. any way, i re-partitioned the drive and got windows on again and put linux to rest. but now after hearing many more good things about linux, I am anxious to take another shot at it which brings me to my point. can anybody recommend a good book or software program to me that can teach linux to somebody who has absolutley no expireince with it? keep in mind I still have the 7.1 version discs and if at all possible I'd like to have both Win2k and linux on my machine at the same time (dual-boot).


thanx

Well, I can help, to a point...

I have posted a guide on this forum to dual-booting Windows 2k/XP and Linux...It is very easy to use. Just search for it.

You will want to purchase a book called "Running Linux", published by O'reilly. This book is extremely helpful, and will always be there for you. Best 40 bucks I ever spent.

It looks like you downloaded "Red Hat" Linux. Linux comes in several distributions. I think moist people on this forum would recommend Mandrake Linux. (http://www.linux-mandrake.com). Mandrake is VERY newbie-friendly, and is definately the easiest to install.

So I recommend that you:
1. Buy "Running Linux", and read some of it...YOu don't need to read it all or anything, maybe just the section on installing, or if you have nay questions during the install process (like "What's LILO?" ), download "Mandrake Linux"
2. Format your Hard Drive (Make backups)
3. Follow My advice for partitioning\dual booting (I recommend you use Partition Magic)
4. Install Mandrake Linux.

This is probably the best way to ease yourself into Linux. Good Luck.

BTW, even "old-timers" have trouble with Linux sometimes... You can read the thread about my worst experience with Linux if you search for it...

"If you teach a child to read, then he or her will be able to pass a literacy test" - George W.