yes linux is for a select group of people: those who can use computers. typing in commands is part of using a computer. fact is, a lot of time it is possible to do everything you want to do in linux via GUI, but doing it in a terminal is EASIER. especially when you are looking for help. take the following example:
ok open your home folder, right click the $foo file and go to the permissions tab, then click the executable box and close. then double click that same file. oh wait, you arent using GNOME, well lemme figure out how to do that in KDE, the menus might be different.....etc...etc
OR
copy/paste this into terminal: $ chmod +x ~/$foo
$ ~/$foo