I´m very new in the world of Linux and have a few questions I would really appreciate some help with!

1. I´m running the Gnome desktop environment, and in the lower right corner there´s a red, circle with a blinking "!" in it, telling me there´s 164 updates available. I´ve looked at them but many I don´t have a clue about what they do. So.. Should I just generally install all of them? Or is that foolish?

2. I´ve seen that there´s a new version of Gnome out, 2.6 or 2.8. Should I try to install one of them? Is it complicated? Where can they be found?

3. Is there a place you could recommend where it´s possible to dowload really cool window borders, icons etc.?
 

1- Those updates are mostly security related. Remember that Linux RedHat (Fedora) is more like a "Server" so every time there is a security issue, they update the programs. As a server you need to be update to the latest. As a workstation probably you are not even using all of those programs. However, there may be some other fixes (crashes in programs) that you will want.

2- If you are new to Linux, don't try. Gnome is big and requires a bunch of things that you'll go crazy trying to figure it out.
Besides, why would you want to upgrade if you are doing fine?

3- In freshmeat.net there is a section for themes and I believe you can find there what you want.
 

With regards to number one. I use Mandrakelinux, and the only updates I see offered to me are for packages already installed on my computer. My best guess is the behavior in Fedora is similar.

In the Linux world, most updates are done for security purposes, bug fixes, or because there is some significant improvement in services offered by the updated package. Most of the time, any updates for stable releases are well tested, so you can usually do updates with confidence.

I know this is opposite the wisdom you learned in the Windows world for doing system updates, but this has been my experience through six years of using Linux.

Have a Linux Problem
Linux Forum - Do you have a Linux Question?

Linux Books
Linux Certification, System Administration, Programming, Networking Books

Linux Home: Linux System Administration Hints and Tips