something basic?

[Karen Lewellen]

HI,
I am wanting to do some basic command and information reading on Linux,
 in advance of getting my system.
My goal is to have some of the fundamentals down pat, including some basic
programs learned
 so that when my machine arrives i am ready to start right off.
I understand that there is no users guide for speakup, which would be nice,
but there should be something on linux itself?
or if such is better, a general new user's list?
thanks,
Karen