There is not need to buy and book or so... Linux distro xandros ( www.xandros.com ) is as user friendly as windows xp is. Also, you have a word processer (openoffice word processer), browser (mozilla firefox) and an email client (thunderbird) installed by default.... xandros can be downloaded free of cost from http://www.xandros.com/products/home..._download.html .... Also, I think you would be interested to read this article/preview about xandros http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=1762