Using the iliad to learn linux isnīt a good starting point. Linux is well hidden in it and you only access it through the terminal you mentioned. And the terminal is, well... unpractical.
If you want to learn linux there is some other options around. You can for example download ubuntu:
http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php#latest
(The link is to ubuntu with the kde desktop) and burn it to a cd. If you restart your computer with the ubuntu cd inside, then linux (kubuntu) will start and you can use it to learn linux without installing anything to your computer. It has a help guide etc. If you want to install linux on your pc, then thereīs an icon on the desktop that you can click.
That is the best starting point for learning linux.