background processes
 

in the bash shell, is there a command to run a program in the background, so i can continue about my work without opening a new session?

thanks!

Use &
For instance
gimp &

And if you wan't to put a running process in the background (let us say that you are using less to see a file), press "Ctrl Z" which will stop the process and than type:
bg

which will put it in background. To bring it back type:
jobs

find the number of a job corresponding to the process and type:
fg %number

Enjoy

thanks!