Find out if you have a local #LUG, a !Linux Users Group. In #Waterloo Region we have a great LUG, @KWLUG@sn.jonkman.ca, as well as completely separate groups for #KWNPSA ( #NonProfit #SysAdmin), #KWVoIP (a #VoIP Users Group), different user groups for just about every programming language (and three for #Javascript alone). All are warm and friendly -- I know, 'cos I've been to most. But start by finding a local Linux User Group, where people can point you in as many directions as you're willing to go.