what are good places to get information (free, online info that is) to begin to learn about the basic workings of personal computers and operating systems ? i really don't know shit.

well I guess once you're in the right place...u can go on your own. How did u find this site?

Some dude one day told me to visit hackersclub.com, from there on (any site will do) you've got links, which link to more links and guess what...they'll be leading to the ages you want.

That's how the internet lives, linking pages....

**start by visiting any link you find on this site and you'll be "off" **

thank you soap. i understand some of the basics and can find my around pretty well. what i am really looking for are text files and even tutorials that deal with the electronics and programming languages that make this thing work. i can search around, but any pointers, like yours, are appreciated.
Shit i found linux's site, which is very fat, and informative. they have a neat tutorial on linux and i can't wait to get it into the vaio i got, just to fuck around and see what's up.

If you have the money, you can take some classes.
(Networking, Programming, Windows (If you are really out of it) and so on and so forth), thats what I would recommend

Word !! I live in Ca. and community colleges here are 9 $ a credit !! I will be taking C++, electronics, etc.... i was just looking for some warmer uppers........ :}

check out RRFN I can't remember the site but do a search for it.

I believe Le4rner is the author so ask him if u have any problems finding it.

BTW. RRFN = Required Reading For Newbies

http://rrfn.promodtecnologies.com is the rrfn url i believe (yes, it's spelt wrong).

It started as a car club site, And that is how they spelled their name. They couldn't pay me... I own the site. Long story short.

Now! Yes the RRFN was a list of great sites to read and learn from. It started here when UGN Security was owned by Beard. Anyway it grew till some one sugested making it a web site. UGN Security however is also a great site to learn from. They kinda share the same member base. Great group to learn from.

My advice is to not get caught up in looking cool, just learn and read everything you can on the topics you are intrested in. What do you wana learn?

what do i want to learn ? that is a good question.
i want to learn how to be more effective in using a computer. this is a tool and i use it every day, i work on it, logging information into spreadsheets, data entry etc, i do research on line with it, compile documents for my "retainer" (i am a "consultant"), and often i search online for information relating to what it is we do here at the company.
i would like to know how to program it to make it do what i want, wich will make my job now, and most likely in the future, much easier - more efficient.
i want to know about electronics in general. i don't have a calculus background big enough to really know the nitty - gritty, but what about the basics ?
i also plan to put linux an a spare laptop i got, and linux.org has great tutorials.
that's for starters. boring, everyday computer stuff.
the more "colorfull" stuff yall be discussin' on this site, that shit is so far beyond my frame of refernce, that i only look on w/ curiosity.
thanks for the reponses so far !!
i'll check out the leads...........

yo.....that required reading site, that site is the kind of information i am looking for !! thank you very much !!

good luck....

keep us posted of anything interesting you find thats the way it works here...free information