If you joined ALUG because you've just started to look at GNU/Linux and have no previous experience of unix type operating systems, you might find the article "Unix is a 4 letter word" at this site http://unix.t-a-y-l-o-r.com/ helpful.
Keith ____________ Since it is no part of the words we unthinkingly use, it leaves no trace in the things we say. Dogen