purposes.)

If you're using the X Window system, it will generally start up on the
first unused virtual console - probably VC 7. Also, to switch from the X
virtual console to one of the first six, you'll have to add Ctrl to the
key sequence. So that's Ctrl-Alt-F1 to get to VC 1. But you can go from a
text VC to the X virtual console using only Alt. If you never leave X, you
won't have to worry about this; X automatically switches you to its
virtual console when it starts up.

Once you get used to them, virtual consoles will probably become an
indispensable tool for getting many things done at once. (The X Window
system serves much the same purpose, providing multiple windows rather
than multiple consoles.) You can run a different program on each VC or log
on as root on one VC and as yourself on another. Or everyone in the family
can use his or her own VC; this is especially handy if you use X, in which
case you can run several X sessions at once on different virtual consoles.

Shutting Down

Do not just turn off the computer! You risk losing valuable data!

If you are the only user of your computer, you might want to turn the
computer off when you're done with it.

To avoid possibly weakening some hardware components, only turn off the
computer when you're done for the day. Power up and power down are the two
greatest contributors to wear and tear on computer components. Turning the
computer on and off once a day is probably the best compromise between
your electric bill and your computer's lifespan.