From PrincetonUnixFAQ

So you're new to Linux. We at PUG can help you with that. As you follow along on this page, we will assume that you are sitting at a computer that is running Linux. If you don't have Linux yet, you should first follow the instructions on the Want Linux page so that you can get to this point.

So you're at a Linux desktop? Good.

Logging In

If you are at a cluster computer, you will start at a login screen. Enter the appropriate credentials (probably your NetID and password), and your desktop should appear. There will be icons on the desktop and a bar along one edge of the screen like that in Windows.

If you are at your own computer, you do the same thing with the login information you entered when you installed the operating system. At that time you likely created a user to represent you; log in with that user's name and password.

The Desktop

This should behave exactly as you are used to from Windows or Mac OS. The desktop is the space behind any application windows where there are icons representing files that you can move around. The bottom (or top) edge of the screen has a gray bar running across which serves the same purpose as the bar on a Windows computer:

• The "K" icon (or foot icon, depending on which type of Linux you are using) acts like the "Start" button in Windows, and opens a menu with most installed applications in it.
• The wide, middle stretch will show you a list of open windows.
• The right side shows the current time, as well as icons representing various programs which are running in the background.

Explore the desktop and see which programs are installed using the application menu described above. They should have descriptive names; the purposes of those that do not may become apparent if you open them. Just be careful with those under menus with names like "System" as using those without knowing what you are doing may break things.

Command-Line

Newbie tips for the command-line go here!