XAMPP is pointless in Linux. Just install the regular old LAMP stack.
Since you said you'll be using Ubuntu:
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sudo aptitude install phpmyadmin mysql-server
phpMyAdmin somehow doesn't have mysql-server as a dependency, but will pull in everything else you need.
As for what to do with it, well, obviously get familiar with the command line. Set up a version control system; this is good to have, good to know, and will help familiarize you with the CLI. Learn at least the basics of vim. Cron is indispensible. Screen wouldn't be a bad idea. Rsync.
EDIT: Oh, and grep. Master grep.