I would like to be able to get the most out of my N800 but some of the apps I would like installed (xjournal,maemo mapper, sketch, palm apps etc) are beyond my knowledge for downloading. i.e. click one button and it downloads. Is there a proper place to learn how run command line and write code for these sort of things? Where did all of you whizz kids get your start?

Thanks
68guns

Xournal :
You used to have to have also the extras chinook repository enabled.
Or, if you use the download icon in maemo downloads, disable the extras chinook repository afterwards.
Palm :
There is a thread in "Alternatives" for Garnet Palm emulator.
Or google for garnet+palm to find the site for downloading the emulator.
On this forum there are some roumors about some palm app (calendar alarm?) occasionally crashing.
( I only use it for Mobipocket ebooks.)

There are few apps you can't find with the application manager or on maemo downloads.
Check wiki.maemo.org for repositories.
For command line installation, google for "apt-get" to find a manual.

If those apps are hosted on maemo.org you can go to http://maemo.org/downloads/ and it actually IS two clicks and installed. :-)