This step is for curious non-technical users.

However, non-technical users do not need to know UNIX or use shells because the IRIX Interactive Desktop is designed to let you perform non-development activities without using a shell.

One of the first things you may wonder is "what is this thing called a Console that appears on my desktop background?" In order to explain that, a brief background is required. IRIX, the Silicon Graphics UNIX Operating System, is a command line operating system. Users, such as programmers and system administrators, who need to interact directly with IRIX must use a window terminal, variously called a "winterm," "xterm," or generically "shell," and type relevant IRIX commands in order to accomplish a specific task. To use IRIX shells, a user needs to know at least some of the commands and syntax of the UNIX language.

There are two basic types of shells on your desktop, the console and the winterm.

The console shell transmits system information.

The console appears as a small square icon next to the Toolchest when you first log in. (It looks like a small square icon because it has been minimized.) You can type IRIX commands in this window. You should always have a console running because the console is the primary display area for status and error messages generated by your system. If your system or a specific application you are running behaves unexpectedly, check the console for any possible error messages. Though you may not be able to make any sense of the error messages at first, they will be useful clues to any system administrator trying to resolve a problem with your system.

The winterm shell receives commands.

To use the IRIX command line to interact directly with your operating system, you must open a terminal window, which you can launch by choosing Desktop > Open Unix Shell from the Toolchest. A winterm is where IRIX "listens" for your typed commands. You enter your typed commands into a winterm and IRIX will issue a response, either by returning text output to the window in which you typed the command or by launching a program requested in your command. While the console can also accept your typed commands, it is really intended to be more of a communication shell that allows the operating system to tell you what is going on, or warn you of a problem.

The online Desktop User's Guide includes Appendix A, Using IRIX Commands, which teaches you some basic IRIX commands. To access it from the Toolchest, choose Help > Online Books.