Ok then you linux dudes .... for a complete novice who wants to 'have a go' ... what do we recommend ?

Any hints on required equipment, disk space etc etc ... I know you can run certain 'incantations' on a calculator , but for a GUI what do I need for it to be practical ....

Then there's some software (of course free) to run on it ... in fact just tell me (us) the whole story !!!