Basic experience with FEM

Hello there,

Im unexperienced with FEM, but would like to use the freeware provided by CAElinux for a project Im working on.

What basic knowledge should one have prior to start with this software? I just saw the news about the newly released book, is that enough to fully understand the possibilities Salome and the other FE programs offer? Would you recommend some FE courses?

Thanks in advance for any valuable info,
Tan