I d/led mandrake 9.0 (first cd only) and I need alot of help and a little encouragement

. I've been to alot of the links provided in the sticky up top but they just make me more confused.
Maybe someone can point me to the Linux for dummies site lol.
Just looking for some suggestions for a noob and a heads up on what to expect and how to properly prepare for installation.
TIA,
T.O.W