Playing with language - the technical gubbins

I'm really enjoying using the command line today to do things.  I spend most of my time at work using Windows to do things, and for most spreadsheet work that's ok (I don't want to draw a graph from the command line, thanks very much) but if you want to do something iteratively, often a point and click interface isn't the best way, once your desired workflow is a bit different to what the program thinks it should be.  Plus, Linux comes with lots more free tools that are easily accessible, once you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirtier.  If mucking around with scripts isn't your thing, don't read any further.