[newbie] Please HELP !

[Michael Spivak]

Hi
I'm really new in this stuff
i'm a pro in Win, but got tired of it, and want to move to the professional
level,
but the only way to install Linux at home and be connected to the Internet
is by 
my office RAS connection. I've tried to do some strange things like compile
the 
Kernel and failed completely. Can anyone please explain me step by step - 
what soft i should D/L ,compiling the Kernel and how to install the soft 

Thanks in advance