An Introduction to Getting around in Linux

Logging In

Basics

• cd path to change directories.
• mkdir dirname to make a directory.
• rmdir dirname to remove an empty directory.
• rm filename to remove a file.
• ls to get a directory listing.
• exit to quit.
• chmod to change permissions.

Help

• man is the standard Linux help program. Type man command to get help on a specific command. Type man -k keyword to search for help containing a keyword. man intro will give an intro to the unix environment - read it.
• info is some standard GNU doc reader.
• Tons of help files are in /usr/doc/.

Apps

• vi, joe, pico, and ed are editors.
• pine, elm, and mail are mail readers.
• fetchmail can grab your mail to crib from just about any source.
• talk starts a talk session.
• rtin and trn are usenet news readers.
• lynx is a text based web browser.
• ftp and ncftp are ftp clients.
• wget can fetch a file by URL.

Admin

• chfn will allow to change your visable name and phone number and other personal info.
  
• passwd is used to change your password. Please use something hard to guess.