[wlug] Like early banana's

I printed out some info this arvo on installing Ubuntu on a system with small RAM (32-64mb). I am afraid I dont even understand what the # & $ signs are used for. I am afraid I dont have time to go to the library and explore this info, so can I have some newbie help with this? When the # and $ are used, are they typed in as part of the command or do they represent something? _____________________________________________