I was just asked by a someone what I had not posted about this in the mentor forum, and my only response to them was "Well, I AM a Fool!"
At the below link, you can get a copy of 'The Unofficial Complete Fool's Guide to SecondLife', a PDF that offers the basics of SecondLife.
http://www.sldrama.com/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item7
They can also view the guide online at SLDrama.com, and do NOT have the register to do so.
You can also go to any SLDrama Kiosk in-world and get a copy of the book for free. Again, neither you nor anyone you send has to register at SLDrama to get it. Just click on the kiosk and choose the option to get the book. It contains not only a link to the PDF when the book is clicked on, but also contains a copy of the Burning Life version of the book: A giant version with page flipping. Its full perms, so you can play with it.
Enjoy!