Free online Ubuntu user guide, that is simple to understand?

I just recently downloaded and started using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS and this is my first Linux/unix OS ever. I've been faced with a gigantic learning curve that I think would deter most people.

With that in mind, is there a free "Ubuntu for dummies" type website/article/guide somewhere?
I mean, something that would even be as simple as to describe the difference between the windows file storage tabulation (C:\Windows...etc) vs Linux tabulation (etc/default/... etc etc etc).

I am often researching things on how to improve / fix my Ubuntu and am rapidly confused because the help forums make basic assumptions about ideas like this. I don't necessarily already know where the "etc" folder is. I didn't even know what Nautilus was even though I had already been using it. These are my problems.

Is there such a guide? One which will be simple, and easy to understand? One which will be free of charge?

Solution 1:

There are many manuals on the internet, but you can begin with the following.

1.- Browse the ubuntuguide.org with many wikipedia-style articles and how-to's.

2.- Download the book Getting started with Ubuntu.

Solution 2:

The best way of learning an OS, I feel, is playing around with it for a while. For a while, can mean a few weeks to few years too! There are documentations available but then they might as well make you feel bored than teaching you something worth while, unless you love reading a lot! This is one of the official ones, I found with a quick Google search:

Learning Ubuntu

Yes, many of us don't know that the GUI for navigating in folders in 12.04 is nautilus but that is fine when you begin learning; that is primarily because we are used to using Windows, which integrated everything into it without giving it a peculiar name. You'll learn as you continue using it. You'll surely find it adventurous to play around with Ubuntu. Enjoy!