Need to learn Linux

Ok, I'm currently working towards my bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance with a focus in Computer Forensics.

I want to try to get a bit a head of the game and start learning Linux and commands that go with Linux.

What version or versions should I be looking toward?

Any good sites out there with Linux help and tutorials?

I had a class in Red Hat (4.0 I think) some 8 years ago when I got my associates degree, but haven't touched anything since then.

Thanks for the help.

This is the best thread to every grace the forums so far.

I know there are many people that will say to install Slackware or Gentoo, but I suggest starting out with the more friendly Ubuntu or its derivatives.

It'll get you up and running and you can still drop to the prompt to do the dirty work.

http://www.ubuntu.com

Ubuntu is a derivative of Debian ( http://www.debian.org/ ).

If you want a Red Hat derivative, CentOS ( http://www.centos.org/ ) is the RHEL build. Fedora ( http://fedoraproject.org/ ) is Red Hat's own cutting edge distribution.

The best way to learn is to start using it. When you hit a road block on something, search Google or ask here. Most of the generic commands are simple enough at the prompt.

^ Indeed. I learned more about Linux (Ubuntu 10.4, specifically) in a couple of hours of fiddling than I ever did when I was in the college class that was actually attempting to teach it to us.

Awesome, thanks for the starters.

I agree on the call with Ubuntu and I also agree with the "do it yourself" attitude. I'm in college right now and you would swear that they have a contract to only teach about Microsoft and Adobe Products.
I run Ubuntu on my laptop (old acer 4520 that I inherited from the wife after I knocked it off of the coffee table with a flash drive in it and damaged one of the usb ports) After buying her a new laptop and repairing the usb port (and resoldering a fan control resistor) I did my first clean install of Ubuntu. I had been running Dual boot on my desktop for years. The update manager and package manager handles most of the hard work but if you really want to get inside the system you can easy enough and there is plenty of info available to walk you through any action you may want to perform.
Good Luck
[R4MBL3R001]

I use to keep Windows along with my Ubuntu but when its' HDD died I just let it go. Ubuntu is what I am using to learn about command line and I never saw a computer in High School; I can not agree more with all of the above.

I would recommend Mint. One of the best Linux distros I ever used!