Installation guide

Chapter 1.
Getting Started
The first step to using your Red Hat Linux system is to log in. When you log in, you are basically
introducing yourself to the system.
Note
Like UNIX, Linux is case sensitive. That means that typing root refers to a different account than
Root. As far as Linux is concerned, the lowercase root refers to the root user (also known as the
superuser), or system administrator.
When you installed Red Hat Linux, you had the opportunity to install the X Window System (also
simply called X), which provides the display of graphical information. You were also asked whether
you wanted to use a graphical screen, rather than a console (or shell prompt) to log in. A graphical
screen has icons, lots of menus, and is generally more approachable for a new user. A console, or
shell prompt, resembles an MS-DOS screen and requires the use of specific phrases or commands,
which the user types at the command line. Although the emphasis throughout this book will be on
navigation and productivity using X, it will cover both the graphical and console methods of logging
in and starting the X Window System.
1.1. Introductory Terms
When you learn about a new operating system, you also need to learn new terminology. Here are a
few basic terms you should learn. You will see these terms often:
• Shell prompt: A command line interface (similar to a DOS screen) between the user and the oper-
ating system (Figure 1-1). The shell interprets commands entered by the user and passes them on
to the operating system.
Figure 1-1. Shell Prompt and Command Line
• Command line: The place in the shell prompt where commands are typed.
• Command: An instruction given to the computer, most often with the keyboard or mouse.
• Graphical User Interface (GUI): A screen with icons, menus, and panels for the user to click on to
initiate functions.
• GNOME and KDE: Two popular GUIs included with Red Hat Linux.