There are two ways of using Linux ( there may be more accoding to you, but I stick to the basics).
ONE: Like most computer users, choose a good distro for newcomers like Mandrake, SUSE, or even RedHat (sorry, they are now concentrating on the Enterprise class of machines, and you may go Fedora way). Don't try installing it on the very latest hardware, having the chipsets and peripherals which have just been released. Don't try to tweak around much. Use it like your grandma will - browse the net, send e-mail, listen to music, watch video, write small documents... And no problems.
TWO: Be curious and adventurous. Learn how the bloody computer systems work. Question and seek answers. Be ready to trash a few things here and there, and then restart. Get the hacker spirit in you. Live on the edge. Damn the licensing fears. Try to create new things, it will bring you unknown pleasure and satisfaction.