Many complex operations and system maintenance tasks will be performed through what is called a "terminal window" or a "command line prompt". These terms refer to a text-based interface on Linux where you enter commands with the keyboard. Much software on Linux requires you to install them via the terminal window.

To access a terminal window, click on the UB Logo, and within the System Tools group click on Terminal.

You will then see the terminal window come up, which will appear similiar to this:

You will see that the command prompt will read [username@hostname cwd]$. Your username and the name of your computer will appear when you open a terminal on your own computer. The current working directory (cwd) will also be displayed in the prompt.

To see the contents of the current working directory, type ls and press the enter key. To change the directory in which you are currently working, use the command cd directory , replacing directory with the directory to which you wish to change.

Additional Information

• Introduction to Unix