I have Ubunto installed now and working…from this computer. from what I have seen so far, it seems fairly easy to use…I even figured out the wireless networking thing! 
Can anyone point me in the direction of some antivirus/firewall progs for Linux?
You don’t really need an anti-virus program in Linux because a windows .exe virus will not run on a Linux system. There are very few Linux viruses to worry about (I have run an anti-virus program before in Linux, but, don’t now). Also, as you’re running your unit as a user in Ubuntu it is difficult for malicious code to take over your system. Once in awhile you’ll see a little orange icon that will appear on your top tool bar announcing that updates are available. Keep your unit patched and you will be fine.
Here’s a howto on setting up a firewall in Ubuntu:
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/06/26/1556259
hitest
p.s. I’ve run a software firewall before in Linux, but, don’t now. A NAT router is good enough for my needs. But, if you’re very security conscious another layer of protection can’t hurt.
AVG and Avast both offer free Linux antivirus programs. I forget what firewall Ubuntu uses Shorewall maybe? But nothing beats a router.
Nothings worse than PC’s with Norton Firewall. Question one on ALL Internet tech calls is Do you have Norton or Macafee? Then uninstall it and kill the person who sold it to you…
Cool. FreeBSD 6.2 just finished compiling from source this morning. It worked. 
Agreed. A router works the best for me as well.
Ubuntu uses the Guarddog and Lokkit firewalls which you can install using apt-get or the Synaptic package manager. 