Top 4 List for Starting with Linux

So I just recently obtained an old lapt-I mean a broken piece of junk that was a laptop, from one of my aunts, who couldn't tell the difference between a USB port or an Ethernet jack if their life depended on it.
Long story short, I refreshed the whole thing with a new install of Windows and viola! Works almost like new! ... but too bad we're talking 128MB RAM new and not 512MB new, because now XP runs dog slow! What's a tech to do?

Give up!
Nah, just kidding. I actually forced myself into my first experiences with Linux on this old, limited hardware machine. I started testing out a number of distros that are meant to run on old, low-spec machines, and found out this old tickers got a life ahead of it!
I still have loads of information and techniques to learn, but I've already got a good foot ahead in starting with Linux OS'. And nobody has to be a pro at something in order for it to be useful. So here's my four tips to get you started in trying out Linux for yourself:

1. Research, First!

Linux is more popular than you think, and so many variations of it exist. Some variations will work better for your hardware, where others will prove more helpful in certain tasks you want to accomplish. All the information on these variations is well documented by the open source community, and of course it's all available online. If you're on a notebook, like I am, do some research to find out how to get online in your new OS! I had to figure mine out myself, but I'd suggest researching your situation before hand so you don't panic when things don't work at first.
So take a bit of time and Google up a few searches, like a comparison of linux distros, perhaps? Take advantage of these resources, and find out what OS is best for your hardware/operations!

2. Want it Easy? Keep it Easy!

Practically every popular Linux distro comes with some sort of Graphics User Interface (GUI) to simplify the experience for all users. Take advantage of that as well, if you don't want to learn a whole lot of different command lines to do all you need to, then don't! You don't have to be a pro to use some kinds of Linux and that's very encouraging for those of us that just want a simple word-processor with a music player and a web browser all in a mobile computing package (like me). All that can be done with a very user-friendly graphic interface that a number of different, popular distros offer.
Right now I'm using a distro called PuppyLinux that has a very simple GUI with no hassles, but I am still able to do all the simple, everyday uses without having to enter in one command line! Which makes me a very happy user!

3. Sleep around (with distros)!

What's great about a number of these smaller, low-spec OS' is that they can run straight off a CD, meaning no installation on the HDD and no worries for problems afterward. Those kind of OS' gave me a chance to experience nearly everything included with their system, and left me the comfort of being able to pop out the disc and still have everything I had before the trial began. This helps me try out a number of OS' one after another, and still be able to sleep at night!
Definitely look into those Live-CD Linux distros if you haven't even seen or felt an open source OS before, it'll save you the grief of accidentally wiping your XP/Vista partition on accident in a moment of confusion.


4. Look for Compatible Formats!

As a student, some of my instructors demand that I use a specific file format and practically every one of them was looking for a Windows-type file. Major bummer, and I hate that; but when you need an A, you need an A. If you're in this same position, you're still in good hands though. There are a handful of open source apps that are installable on Linux OS' that still recognize and work with Microsoft formats! The staple collection of apps like these is the OpenOffice (OOo) package, which includes a word-processor, a presentation and spreadsheet manager, as well as a drawing program. All of these programs work with the respected Microsoft file formats: .doc, .ppt, and .xls.
Have no fear, adaptation is here!

Go ahead, take some steps into the water, it feels great!