Thank you for your positive feedback and suggestions for topics (I’m always looking for new ideas – even though I have a backlog of stuff to write about).
Yeah, I find a lot of information on the Internet isn’t exactly geared for the casual user. Often times, I find it is more like a reminder to someone who already knew the stuff, rather than an explanation to someone who wants to learn.
As for dual booting, I prefer to use VirtualBox. Virtual box allows you to run alternate operating systems (like Linux) in its own virtual machine. This way, you can run multiple OSes at the same time. In my case, I run Windows 7 as my main OS and Ubuntu in Virtual box.
When you install VirtualBox, Windows will warn that unsigned drivers are being installed – allow them.

You’re welcome and thanks for the positive feedback.
I don’t deny that getting an appropriate level of detail is tough. I find a lot of computer help (especially when related to Linux) is very arcane and tends to be more in the style of a memory jogger for someone who already knows it than an explanation to someone who doesn’t know.
I hate help that sounds like: “Just foo grep the output and then pipe it through awk.”
Mind you, I have seen comments on some sites claiming my articles are too “long”. Usually, they sound something like: “He spends pages and pages explaining something that’s just a 3 line command.” It might be a 3 line command, but if you don’t know what (or how to interpret / understand) a sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu precise main" then it doesn’t matter if it’s one line or 20.
Based on the site’s growing popularity, I think I am doing something right.
Thanks again for your feedback. (I also accept suggestions for topics).

You’re welcome. I try to provide useful and meaningful information. Thank you for the feedback.

This is not a forum and your question is off topic. However … I think you are looking to install cernlib (installable from the software center).
As far as compiling fortran programs in Ubuntu, you will need to install the fortran compiler, though (installable from software center as well).
Unfortunately, as your question is way off topic, there is no additional support I will provide.

You’re welcome. Thanks for the feeback.

The terminal allows you to interact with the OS.
You can certainly open and edit files from teh command line. You just have to call the right application. For example, you can use the vim editor by typing vi at the command line and then pressing Enter. Mind you, vim is not the friendliest editor. To exit vim, type :q and press Enter.
You can compile programs in a terminal using gcc – although, normally, you would use a make file to control the compilation.
Everything you can do using the GUI, you can do from the command line. In fact, you can do more from the command line than from the GUI.
There are many resources on the Internet that can help you with understanding how the various functions and features available in Linux.