Linux files are organized in directories and each one has a different functionality

This directory contains executable programs which are needed in single user mode
and to bring the system up or repair it.
/bin

Like /bin, this directory holds commands needed to boot the system, but which are
usually not executed by normal users.
/sbin

This is the primary directory for executable programs. Most programs executed
by normal users which are not needed for booting or for repairing the system
and which are not installed locally should be placed in this directory.
/usr/bin

This directory contains program binaries for system administration which are not
essential for the boot process, for mounting
/usr/sbin

Files used at PC startup

/boot

Devices files like hard disk, network interface,etc

/dev

Configuration files. If you install something you have to configure it here

/etc

Home directory of system users

/home

Share Libraries
/lib

/mnt Mount point of devices (Many distributions use /media)

 Home directory of root user
/root

Temporal files like webrowser cache

/tmp

Variable Information like proxy cache

/var

System cache
/var/cache

Data to be processed like e-mails

/var/spool

System and daemon log.

/var/log

Software installed (not from repository).

/opt

You have noticed that files have different colors. They have a meaning.
Blue: Directories
Green: Executables
Red : Compressed files or broken link
Light blue :symbolic links
Linux uses what is called "run levels". A run level is a software configuration of the system that allows
only a selected group of processes to exist. Typically these run levels are used for different
purposes.The runlevels are:
0 - halt Power off the computer
1 - Single user mode Without network services. Used for maintenance purpose
2 - Multiuser Without NFS (The same as 3, if you don't have networking)
3 - Full multiuser With network services but without a graphical environment, recommended for
mode servers
4 - unused not used
Same as 3 but with graphical environment, recommended for Desktop
5 - X11
machines
6 - Reboot Reboot the computer
You can specify the run level in the file /etc/inittab

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