So here I sit in X/KDE, running on a Mandrake 7.2 install, and everything is running smoothly. My computer, surprisingly enough, is currently doing everything I need it to do without trouble.

Of course, I haven't learned ANYTHING about how to use/setup/maintain/secure linux, really. What I'm hoping someone here can help me with is: what would people recommend as good projects to undertake, the completion of which will necessitate having learned something? I've gone out and read scads of HOWTOs and guides and the like (pretty much anything I run across that's aimed at novices, I've perused), but there's no learning like doing.

To give potential suggesters an idea where I'm at: I'm pretty good with computers and computing in general, hardware setup/install (I build my own boxes), a decent programmer (everything from ASM to VC++), and modest, to boot ;). More importantly, I'm not afraid of breaking my machine--I've spent enough time running various MS products that the prospect of reformatting/reinstalling everything really doesn't faze me.

Anyhow, sorry for the SPAM, and any suggestions are much appreciated. Thx.

(here's another question: call me stupid, but I can't figure out how on earth to echo a blank line in a post...)

Trying to get a Linmodem to work is a very useful and time demanding project, trust me, I am still trying to get mine to work after about 3 months!

Perhaps you may want to look at the site http://www.linux.org (although you may already have). They have a whole section devoted to projects.

If you dual boot, or have access to a windows machine at home then try to live without cowboy bill for a week and see how you get on?

So you are not scared to install your system all over agin? well here is something i tried and i learned much about Linux and how it works.

The project name is "Linux From Scratch" found at http://www.linuxfromscratch.org

This will show you how to obtain the source code for a base linux OS then complie the code and install the packages.

You will type your own startup (boot) scripts and get an understanding of how GNU/Linux works.

so if your up for it, create a new partetion and get ready to install your own Linux dist.

Good luck