[boostud]

I just downloaded Mandake 9.2

I am TOTALLY NEW to Linux. I have heard great things, so thought i'd give it a try.file:/usr/share/doc/HTML/index.html

I am lost in so many ways. I can't figure out how to run half the programs I install, and no idea how to run the command prompt.

Any directions for help would be appreciated. Thanks so much in advance

[Dapper Dan]

boostud, the best way anyone can help is for you to tell us a specific thing you want to do. Then, once you're clear on that, tell us the next thing you have a question about. Don't feel intimidated about asking questions, that's the only way to learn! That and Google are the best tools you will find!

[outstream]

Dapper Dan is right, in addition to that if you want to learn quick then grab some real linux beginner level book (i am not talking about ebooks, i am talking about *real* ones), that book will help u clearify the basic concepts about the basic tools or softwares that you have installed and their working.

good luck

[matttah]

well, i can just give you a few pointers on things i learned, if mandrake is like fedora then some of these might help...chmod a+x make the file executable..if it is a bin, you may have to this to run some bin files for installation...to run programs you installed either a. try the run prompt first and type n the name, it may put it there...if that doesn't work try going into the folder and finding a file along the names of the program, then open that file in a terminal...
thats some of the basic stuff...
Daum