new to ubuntu linux

[malp]

Hi
I have just installed Ubuntu linux as a dual boot with windows 7 and I am very impressed with it. I have never worked with linux before although I have been computing and software writing since the 80's and started on a zx81.
I would like to know much more about Ubuntu and linux and if anyone could point me towards a book that starts simple but gets involved with the ins and outs and the file system and how linux is built it would be appreciated. As far as software writing I have installed the lazarus ide and free pascal but can anybody suggest anything else. Its going to take a while to make the switch from windows to linux because all the commands I see (in the terminal) mean nothing to me and I have no idea how software packages are installed in linux or were they live on the file system. Its going to be a steep learning curve but when I have done it I hope I will be able to contribute software to the community
all the best
malc

[coffeecat]

A good place to start is here, particularly as it's free to download:

http://ubuntu-manual.org/

Although it's for 10.04 it's a good starter for 10.10 as well.

From thereon, I'm sure others will have suggestions.

Welcome to the forum! :)

[TeoBigusGeekus]

Ubuntu manual for beginners-covers 10.04, it's perfectly ok for 10.10 as well. (http://ubuntu-manual.org/)

The Linux Command Line-download this pdf as well; it's an excellent guide for bash. (http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php)

Psychocats' tutorial about installing things in ubuntu-bookmark this page until you learn it by heart. (http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware)

You can program with any language you want in Ubuntu/Linux.

sudo apt-get install build-essentials
from terminal to install the necessary tools (mainly gcc - Gnu Compiler Collection) and you are good to go.
Personally, I use Geany and terminal for my C adventures.

[malp]

hi
Thanks you have given me something to have a go at and start with.
all the best
malc