As a Linux system (LTSP computer lab) administrator, Your jobs is to "look after" the smooth operation of the computer lab. This requires will require you to either use graphical applications (programs) to administer the computer lab, or open a command prompt (called a "shell" in Linux terminology) to issue Linux operating system commands. '''What ?!? Issue old fashioned Linux commands? Yuk!''' Well hold on here a minute... I didn't say you always had to issue Linux commands, there are a lot of graphical programs that act as graphical "frontends" to achieve the same result from issuing Linux commands. But sometimes it is nice to know you can resort to Linux commands if a graphical administration tool is not available. Also, Linux commands can be placed into a file to run (like MS Windows "batch" files) to automate routine tasks. This allow you to create you own "customized" programs! A wise old-timer (referred to as a "grey-beard") once mentioned a saying in Linux, "Learn it once, know it always". What is really means is if you take the time to learn how to do everything in Linux by issuing commands and understanding its files and structure, you can perform all of the tasks with or without graphical administration programs. Therefore, people that were working on UNIX systems in the 70's can still operate new Linux systems (and not have to pay $10.000 every 4 years to maintain their designation, or learn new graphical adminstration tools)...