Quick Ref.
Functions
date
number
string
Data Types
date
number
string

Running Oracle

Name of the server oracle
Name of the client sqlplus
Typical command line to start the client sqlplus scott/tiger@soc3
soc3
the connection string - which is doubtless incredibly simple to set up - help would be appreciated here
scott
user name
tiger
password
Useful commands 
select * from cat;
describe tableX;
start file.txt
help set;
Beware!

If your data includes the character & it prompts for a value. Use the command SET DEF OFF; to avoid this.

The editor is hideous. Copy and paste from a decent text editor.

If results are wide the format is unreadable. SET LINE 500 can help as can SET PAGESIZE 100.
Tips for not looking stupid when faced with a new Oracle installation. To get into Oracle use sqlplus or "SQL *Plus Worksheet" if you have a mouse and such like. Start/Programs/Oracle - something/Application Development/SQL *Plus Worksheet. You need to know a user name and password - scott/tiger is created by default. There are admin accounts sys and system. You also need the host string or service - I found this in the latest install log file C:\Program Files\Oracle\Inventory\logs\installActions2003-09-01-02-03-39-PM.log look for s_dbSid - there may be several - by default it is the first part of globalDBName.