Microsoft produce hundreds and hundreds of web pages to help you use their software, and it always amazes me how few people ever use them.
Here is one site for learning Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista /discover/default.aspx
There is also a "welcome centre" in Vista and some of the options on there introduce Vista. Here is a picture of the Welcome centre so you recognize it.
http://dvinewrite.com/images/bearings01.jpg
Also, all versions of Windows have extrensive help so why not search the Vista help, I am sure there some intro guides to Vista in the help.