Since we already have two good reviews from experienced programmers, I'll focus on the area I know about: Python as first language.
I began coding a short time ago. I knew about the logic, but not how to get it into code.
I wanted to learn C++ and failed at structure. After a while I could do it, but it felt clumsy.
I tried my luck with Java and didn't quite get going.
Then I tried Python, and got in at once.
The structure of programs can be understood easily.
The Python interpreter lets you experiment very quickly.
Programs can be extremely complex, but Python also allows for quick and simple scripting.
Code written by others is extremely readable.
And coding just flows - almost like natural speaking/thinking.
As a bonus, there is the great open book How to Think Like a Computer Scientist ( http://ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCS/python/english2e/html/ ) which teaches Python and is being used for teaching Python and Programming at universities.
So I can wholeheartedly recommend Python to beginners in programming, and as the other reviews here show, it is also a great language for experienced programmers and seems to be a good language to accompany you in your whole coding life.
PS: Yes, I know about the double meaning of "first language" :)
PPS: This review is also avaible under free licenses from my site: http://draketo.de/english/free-software/light/python-for-beginners
With Dolphin, managing files becomes really easy.
Where Konqueror was confusing at times, Dolphin just works, and I am sure it will work very well for less computer-savvy people, too (different from Konqueror).
For me, Dolphin brought back some of the great usability I lost when I switched from MacOSX to GNU/Linux about 4 years ago.
It showed me the real strength of konqueror, because Dolphin is mostly a GUI set on top of the already existing konqueror codebase. Konqueror has a great backend, and all it needed to become a very easy to use filemanager was a dedicated filemanaging GUI, where the developers could really focus on one task.
Still both share the backend code and show how much can be archieved by using free software tools/libraries as base.