You edit a file in linux the same way you do in DOS/Windows - with an editor. Could be Kate, KWrite, or even OpenOffice, I suppose, as long as you save as plain text. From the console, you could use midnight commander (mc). If you were in DOS or Windows and wanted to edit, say autoexec.bat, you could do it in Windows by opening the file in Notepad and saving the file on exit. Or, if at a DOS prompt, you'd go to the appropriate directory (C:\ or C:\Windows - wherever the file is kept), and type "edit autoexec.bat" (or "edlin autoexec.bat" if you're really old). Anyway, think of Kate as the linux Notepad, and "mc" as the linux Edit (or edlin). You can right-click the file from the KDE desktop and select open with, and select your editor, or if you're in a console, go to the directory and type "mc filename".

Best way to learn is live CD with persistent home, IMO. I think when you asked how to edit a file, you may have left some with the impression that you aren't yet ready for a full hd install. I don't know if that's the case or not - only you can answer that. I can just tell you that I don't think I'm ready yet, and I'm doing fine with booting from hd image "poor man's", using "from hd" cheat code, with a peristent home. I read where probono does this too, and if he can do what he does with that, I figure it has to be good enough for me too.

There is a sticky at the top of the General Support section, with a link to Linux in a Nutshell, which is really good at explaining console commands. There are some really great howtos and FAQs at the Debian site that are very helpful also. I often link to them in my responses.

jd

jd