Linux by it's nature is a multiple user operating system. You can start it in console mode or graphical depending on what you intend to do.
Personally, if I'm doing scripting and administration work, it's in graphical mode, word processing or other general functions is graphical. I like KDE, a new person would probably prefer GNOME since it's a windows like system.
BASH is the Bourne Again Shell, a varient of the old Bourne shell. It is a command interperter much like command.com was.
Vi is a text editor. You might like Jed or Jove or one of the other replacements better until you get used to vi, vi however is the professional line editor, it is akin to EDLIN.
You're most likely thinking of Emacs which is also a text editor. You can do everything but brew coffee with emacs, take the time to learn it.
As for places to learn commands, UNIX for Dummies is a good start, Systems Administrator handbook is more advanced but useful. Mandreakeuser.org has a lot of good information even if you have a different distribution.
Read the man pages, they'll go over your head at first but keep plugging away at them.
Also remember to do as little as possible as root until you know what you're doing.
ORA is good, I like QUE as well. Also don't forget sites like the Linux Documentation Project.
Linuxnewbie.com is an outstanding site. Linuxnewbie.org is ok, but it's commerically done and not as helpful.
Hope that helps, please let me know if you need morehelp of any kind.
