Installing Ubuntu

OK, we've never been to Linux before.
Our plan

old laptop (LCD faulty - using external monitor) with XP.

• Dell Inspiron 6000
• 512Mb RAM (had an extra 1Gb RAM module in DIMM 2 but wouldn't work until we removed it?)
  

Purpose, "loungelizard" machine to take advantage of our plasma and also to run as the network "hub" for our local backup storage (2x 1Tb WD ELEMENTS units from Officeworks @ $95 ea!) and lounge room family SKYPE and multimedia sessions.
We're hoping Linux will have a RAID application to support the two drives as "mirrors"....

Installing the OS and getting started.

• Very straightforward, offered to erase/overwrite old partition and contents, good riddance XP!
• Did the install thingy in about 30 mins flat without a hitch.
• Adjusted some settings, time etc.
  
• Plugged in an RK-750 2.4GHz wireless (trackball) keyboard (Jaycar item XC 4941 $89) and it just works! (Also works in PS3 except we can't replicate START key)
• Now fiddling to get the MAC address of the Dell's wireless adaptor so we can get connected to our wireless access point (ultimately we'll connect via the LAN cable). You need to run "ifconfig"in terminal window (Applications>>Accessories>>Terminal) to get the details.
• Got the whole thing up and running with wireless connection in under 2 hours!