if you install one of the "lazy newb pack" mods (this is the typical recommendation: http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=126076.0) and watch a tutorial or two on how to use the interface, it's actually quite intuitive. Its interface is similar to vim in many ways.
ah if its similar to vim, then I might give it a try, thank you so much beacon.
Sometimes I feel like that these are essential things in nerd culture lol, and I dont feel cultured enough because I dont know these. But yeah lemme fire this up and try
Id suggest reading a tutorial on the DFHack Workflow plugin.
It makes the game much easier as you can just automate jobs for the dwarfs so you don't forget to do things like brew alcohol.