I am new to linux and so far my only problem is installing new software. How do I sign in as root and other places? I am taking a self help course on linux that is not much help.
where do I type the following commands that this course is telling me to type? Here is an example

The first one we should look at is 'cd'. Again MS-DOS users will be familiar with this. cd will get you in and out of directories.

Try this one: cd /

This will get you into the 'root' or main directory. It's the directory of directories, the king of kings, your show of shows. The root directory shouldn't be confused with root's directory. That is /root.

ok this sounds simple except where do i type this command?
Thanks in advance for your help.

in the menus for what ever desktop enviroment you are using, be it kde, gnome etc, there chould be a program called command line/konsole/terminal or something similar. Open that then type cd, it will then ask for the root password (you set this whemn you installed). You the have root access via the terminal.

ok thanks. I am using the xp linux release.
where do i find the following there chould be a program called command line/konsole/terminal or something similar

ok looking at a blank desktop with only the following icons showing
computer, root's home and trash. where do I find the terminal?