Lunix help

Where is all of this wonderful help that is supposed to exist for new users. I am a newbie to Ubuntu 11.04 (linux in general); have had good luck getting on line, navigating, downloading and installing pgms and add-ons that are a part of the Ubuntu package. I have not been able to install any pgms, ie .tar.gz. Every time that I search for help or answers all I end up with are these locations that charge an arm and a leg for assistence. I was led to believe that linux (open software) was a community that would give a new person an assist. I want to install truecrypt. I have downloaded the .tar.gz file but cannot even come close to installing it.