Linux question

Okay, so I've decided to give the linux option a shot and I'me wondering if there's anything I should know before installing, I'm planning to install it on an old Dell desktop I got from a friend so backing my files up shouldn't be an issue seeing as there's no files on the computer in question, so like I said any advice would be great, also I tried looking for any questions about linux via search but search seems to be disabled, so meh.

Thank in advance

How to terminal.

Depends what you want out of linux, and based on what you want we could offer you suggestions as to different distros.

Other than that it's really something you just experience for yourself, once your experience it you gain the knowledge to use it.

Anyway if you're not using it for a server, or some kind of development, I don't even know why you're making the switch...

beyond what my honored speakers previous said, you may find that you will require:
- a second machine with www-browsing capabilities nearby.
- a well-stocked supply in industrial-grade sedatives.

basically what I want out of it is the chance to learn how to use it, because I don't really have any experience with Linux. As for distros I'm going with Ubuntu 9.10 for now, cause from what I've heard it's pretty simple, but if anyone knows of something better, then feel free to let me know. Also I'm not completely switching to Linux just dipping my toes in it for now. As for knowing how to terminal, if it's anything like using command prompt, then it shouldn't be all that hard right?

If you're just installing Ubuntu for fun, then there is really nothing you need to know before hand. It is extremely easy to get started with, and quite intuitive.
The only "problems" you might have are installing flash and the newest version of java, but that you can just google since Ubuntu has a huge support forum :)

Besides that, then I recommend you to get Kubuntu, its the same, it just looks better since it uses KDE instead of Gnome (look at screenshots to see what you like best)

Ubuntu is a very good way to start linux. It comes with everything you need to run a computer. It's a good Distro to "just dip your toes into"

Terminal is just like command prompt with different commands, and it acts pretty much the same way. Its not hard, but sometimes you can't do things without the terminal, and that is a pain sometimes.

Google is your friend, if you don't know something, just type "ex. How to set default operating system ubuntu" into google. By the way, when you install Ubuntu, it will set GRUB to boot up Ubuntu by default instead of Windows.

My advice for this remedy, install startup manager from synaptic package manager and run it (it will appear in your administration or preferences slider), from there you can change your default OS.

Good luck with Ubuntu!

Ubuntu is definitely a good choice for a beginners linux distro. You don't even have to be well versed in Terminal since Synaptic Package Manager is very user friendly when it comes to working with packages, but it never hurts to learn to use Terminal either.