Learn Linux in a Month of Lunches

Appendix. Core concepts

An overview of desktop environments, the changeable graphical interface of Linux desktops

Desktop environment	Interface	Customization	Software ecosystem	Learning curve
GNOME	Launcher	Via third-party tool and extensions	Own ecosystem	Average
KDE	Launcher and menus	Built-in	Own ecosystem	Complex
Unity	Launcher	Via third-party tool	Tends to use GNOME programs	Average
Xfce	Launcher, menu, and/or dock	Built-in	Tends to use light programs, but lacks own ecosystem	Simple

A guide to simple Linux commands

Command	What it does
cd	Changes directory (you need to indicate the directory)
cd ..	Goes up a directory
cp	Copies (use cp -R to get the contents of a directory); includes source ...