How much does it cost?

As a Linux newbie you are probarbly used to splash out hughe amounts of money on Microsoft Windows OS, updates and software... Linux is free!! But if you want it free you will have to download it from the Internet. Downloading the complete Linux distributions will take A LOT of time! You will be better off buying the distribution you want. A Linux distribution with documentation typically costs approx 30$ to 70$. Personal editions which includes what you need for a personal workstation will be in the lower end of this price range. These prices include support for a couple of months and documentation. If you just want the CDs without support and documentation the will cost you just a few dollars.

Keep in mind that the distributions normally contains lots of software that you would have to pay for on Windows. Compilers, Office suites, databases etc.