I originally sent this as a PM to Neo, but I was ignorant towards the rule of PMing someone with technical information. Below is a copy / paste of the questions I asked. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it tons. Thank you! 
The first OS I ever encountered was DOS and Windows 3.1. Ever since then I've been using nothing but Windows ... until recently!
I just purchased a Macbook Pro and I am extremely happy with it. What makes it even better is the fact that it's UNIX-based. The Macbook has brought a new kindled interest in computers that I've lost over the years.
I've always wanted to learn about UNIX and programming in C. Right now I'm only familiar with HTML and CSS. But every time I see a command console and C code I just get happy and I'm always wondering, "What's it doing?"
I'm wondering if you could give me some advice on where to start - on where to begin this adventure. I want to learn as much as I can about UNIX and C. What books would you consider a "must have" or recommend, for a total novice? The only UNIX experience I have is installing Linux and running it for a while, and now the new addition: OS X. These are desktop-user experiences, though. I want to get my hands dirty and dig deep. I want to learn what's really going on underneath the pretty interfaces. I want to create things from scratch. I just want to know.
I've been asking a lot of professors at the local college for help, but sadly our computer science department is not that great. I'm always referred to C++ and Visual C++ when asked about programming, and it's almost always a, "Use Visual Basic if you're new." I honestly believe their philosophy is to just teach us what we need to know to get by, and not the history, art, and philosophy of a programming language - which is what I'd love to learn.
I believe I started off on the wrong foot and got lost. If I would have used a UNIX based OS 15 years ago, I think I would have been much happier. I must now start over and relearn something new (OS X), so I figure what better than to start fresh with OS X and UNIX.
- (z)^2
01-05-2010
