A Linux newbie needs some advice

["Bob Nolte" <bob.nolte@pc4u.com>]

Hi all,
I've been involved with computers for over 30 years. I think I'm pretty good
with DOS, Windows, and NT but want to know as much as possible about the
Unix OS family.

So, I got myself a copy of RHL 5.0 on CD. Took an old 486/80 pc with 16mb
and added a 1x soundblaster compatible CD-ROM drive that was laying around.
Then grabbed a 1gb netware ide drive that I had and put it in the box
without touching it.

I booted with the RHL boot disk. It found the CD-ROM and then let me remove
the netware partitions. I did the best I could from the book in setting up
Linux partitions. A few more minutes and the darn thing was up. The only
problem was the network card io base memory conflicting with the CD. Loaded
again and all was fine.

Now What? Samba is running and I can see my Linuxbox from my NT domain, so I
put some data on it.

Problem is, I don't have a clue about what to do next. I got myself into a
beginner Unix class at the Eden Prairie VoTech, starting in August. I
guessed that I should start at the beginning. Then plan to take the advanced
course which may be more useful.

Right now, I don't know what to do to mount a CD disk, which gives some idea
as to how much ignorance I have as to how Linux really works.

Here's my questions. Given that I've been able to get this far...
    What's the best way for me to learn the Linux OS from the ground up

    Is there a newbie group within TCLUG focused on people like me and
mentored by someone
        who knows what's going on?

    I'd like to rebuild the kernel, just for the drill. Not sure how to do
this properly.

    Eventually, I'd like a Linux gateway to the internet. Maybe run a POP3
mail server.  Good Idea?

I've been lurking around in the e-mail for TCLUG for the past month or so,
and most of it is over my head at the moment. I need a guide dog.  Any help
would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Bob Nolte