One of the whole points of open source software is that nobody has to re-invent the wheel. There are lots of fine how-to & FAQ docs at the Linux Documentation project.
http://www.tldp.org/
A beginners guide should be just that - LDP is a lot to swallow & RTFM (read the *fine* manual) is a bit much when presented with so much info at once.
Having said that there is a time when people need learn to search the web with google etc. or read the (whatever) manual, or they will spend forever asking people how to wipe their digital tushes.
Most distro's have a wealth of info in the /usr/doc/ folder. The help system on most distro's I have seen is also quite awesome.
What I'm saying is: show 'em the basics & point them in the right direction to find the specifics.

Once again the swimming pools of life had been tainted by the incontinent toddlers of fate

I agree with you Friendly, there is a great deal already written. Why try and write it again.

Too true! This sounds like the ol':

Catch a man a fish, he'll eat for the day.
Teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

kill him and he'll stop eating fish

and once completely brain dead, will become a m$ fan.