I the 'old days' when I turned on my computer I got 'C:\'. I setup batch-files and menus and could get around my computer really fast. These days there are 3000 places to click your mouse and you have to remember where all those places are. It seems like computing was faster and simpler before GUI's.
I am now fascinated with the idea of going back to my roots with my new UNIX knowledge. I am writing this using Lynx. I have been surfing the 'Net all morning in text-only and I like it. Now, if I were to install Debian as console-only, no X no WM, could I perform daily tasks like email, writing documents, creating spread sheets, etc.? If so, what programs could I use?

I haven't tried most of these personally, but:

E-mail:

http://caspian.dotconf.net/menu/Software/SendEmail/

Word processing is where you'll perhaps see the biggest disappointment, but try this:

http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/08/16/1822232

Spreadsheets? I've had lots of fun with:

http://freshmeat.net/projects/sc/

For other things, try googling:

Linux "command line" "fred stuff"

Hope this helps.

Email can always be done with the reliable, though complicated sendmail.

For reading my emails, I use mutt.
It's amazing.

http://wiki.mutt.org/?MuttFaq

For writing professional documents:
vi, teX, makefile

wow you have my respect, i found lynx horible to post here with. Does having pages in two columns not really annoy you? You could have a look for midnight commander if thats your bag theres loads of applications that work that way.

Wow, thanks everyone, I will check that out.

Happy computing.