hi praveen!
nice to see your interest in linux! i just have a few basic things to
suggest.
1) use linux/other s/w as your tools. eg you are an engineering student
and maths is your tool.
do not try to make a career centric to linux. decide what you want to do
and do that in linux. you want programming , you can do tonns of it in
linux. you want networks-------there is no end to linux networking. you
want s/w to assist you in engg?? there are a plenty of them. the bottom
line is linux or any other computer language should be a means of
getting your work done. yes ofcourse if you can do something for the
community do it.
2) book/ebook :use internet. you face a problem google it up. you will
get solution. do not depend upon books. they are limited. you post a
problem on the internet. you get your inbox flooded with information.
3) course in linux spend some time understanding linux. use it. try to
forget windows. once you become comfortable with it then think of some
course/certification. when i say comfortable i mean you can use linux to
your ease.
3) distribution : go in for fedora. it is the most popular one and most
easy to get. if you are looking for something very friendly in the
begining go for mandriva(formerly mandrake). bottomline is linux is
linux whatever distro it is. fedora is completely managed by open source
community. so it makes sense to go with it.
4) you may join other lugs like lug banglore goa. lug-northindia is also
a good option
thanks for your patience.
Mohit Puri