keystrokes for gnome menus

["MICHAEL WEAVER" <michaelweaver1 btinternet com>]

Someone has helped me get Linux running on my compaq laptop and has managed 
to get Gnopernicus starting after loggin.
I know I still have a lot of work to get properly going ie getting a keypad 
with a USB connection but how do I get to the gnome menus? what I mean is 
what is the Linux equivalent keystrokes for navigating the desktop ie start 
menu or whatever?
I have Ubuntu Beta of Dapper Drake and Gnopernicus seems to be now coming up 
after loggin.
I would like to at least do some work to familarise myself with the Gnome 
environment so I will get an idea of the basics?
I assume I can't do CTRL escape to get to the different areas of Gnome menus 
like in XP.
I need some basics so I can shut down, loggout or whatever so some 
information would be useful.
I am still a newby to Linux and I can't really ask anyone for help as 
regards getting out of my system as I live on my own and my family don't 
know their waqy around Linux.