this is how we use emacs:

Key:

a few quick things:

When you are executing a command, watch the bottom of your emacs window.
That last line of text below the highlighted-line is very informative.
It's called the 'minibuffer', so keep that in mind.

opening/closing/saving etc
I want to:	command	notes
open a file	C-x C-f	in the minibuffer, you will type in the name and path of the file you want to open. tab completion works.
open a file from another server	C-x C-f /USER@HOST:FILE	uses an ftp connection to edit a file remotely. neat!
create a new file	C-x C-f	yes, the same command as open. just type in a path and name that you want the file to be.
save active file	C-x C-s	emacs auto-saves regularly with the filename and then a ~. this.java would be backed up as this.java~.
save all	C-x s	saves all modified buffers
save as / save under a new name	C-x C-w	you get to type in a new path and name in the buffer, like the open command!
exit/quit	C-x C-c	it will verify any unsaved open files in the minibuffer- so watch it.

editing
I want to:	command	notes
delete to the right	delete	backspace deletes to the left
undo what I just did! alternate:	C-_ C-x u	multiple-undos is definitely supported. just keep hitting ctrl-shift-dash.
redo!	move cursor and undo twice.	it puts the undos on the stack of alterations. by breaking the repeated undos with a trivial cursor move, you allow yourself to undo the undos.
do a command X times	C-NUMBEROFTIMES [return] command	some command (cut-line, for example) can be given a numerical argument like this. just hit ctrl- and a number, than do the command.
cut	C-w	cuts the highlighted text
copy	automatic	whatever the last thing you highlight in _any_ application is automatically copied.
paste alternate paste command:	C-y middle-click	clicking pastes where you click, not where the cursor is.
paste an old cut	C-y M-y	will cycle through old cuts and paste them in turn until you stop hitting M-y.
cut next word	M-d	can then be pasted..
cut previous word alternate:	M-delete M-backspace	can be pasted.
cut this line	C-k	can be used in repetition to cut a lot of lines. can then be pasted as normal.
forward search	C-s	searches past the cursor for the next occurence of a string in the text. next time you search the default will be to search for the same string.
backward search	C-r	searches above the cursor for the next occurence of a string. Will default to last string searched for.
recover from backup	M-x recover-file	opens the last backup of the active file saved by emacs.
search/replace	M-%	eyes on the minibuffer. searches only below cursor.
search/replace with regexp	C-M-%	with regexp means it recognizes regular expression syntax. again, only below the cursor.
read in text file	C-x i	copies the text of a file in where your cursor is.

moving about
move to:	command	notes
up down left right	use the arrow keys	boy is that obvious. try C-n, C-p, C-f, and C-b for a laugh.
beginning of line	C-a	yippy!
end of line	C-e	woohoo!
next word	M-f	or you could hit -> a few times..
previous word	M-b	gotta love recognition of the space character.
top of file alternate:	HOME M-<	life in the fast lane...
end of file alternate:	END M->	big surprise?
character number BLANK	M-x goto-char	the 'goto-char' is typed into the minibuffer. after a return, you will be prompted for a number.
line number BLANK	M-x goto-line	the 'goto-line' is typed into the minibuffer. after a return, you will be prompted for a number.
center on screen	C-l	makes the line the cursor is on centered & re-evaluates coloration.
switch to next visible buffer	C-x o	a buffer is any open document. for info on multiple buffers.. read on.
switch to named buffer	C-x b BUFFERNAME	buffernames include the names of the files you are editing, *scratch*, etc.
bring active buffer into this window	C-x b	an active buffer is any you've worked on already this session that you didn't explicitly close.
open buffer menu	C-x C-b	useful for seeing which buffers are open or active. listens to mouse clicks.

buffers/windows/display
move to:	command	notes
color-code your code	M-x global-font-lock-mode	this feature is RAD. try it.
toggle line-number display	M-x line-number-mode	it's displayed on that line above the minibuffer. prefixed with an 'L'.
split screen horizontal	C-x 2	splits active buffer in half and allows you to see different files in each half.
split screen vertical	C-x 3	splits active buffer in half and allows you to see different files in each half.
close this screen partition	C-x 0	this would be used if you accidentally did more screen splits than you want. it kills the one you are in.
return to unified screen	C-x 1	makes whatever buffer you are in take up the entire display, hiding other open buffers.
create new window	C-x 5 2	opens up a new emacs window.
command prompt in emacs	M-x shell	gives you a shell in emacs. handy for compiling and viewing output.
switch to next visible buffer	C-x o	a buffer is any open document. for info on multiple buffers.. read on.
switch to named buffer	C-x b BUFFERNAME	buffernames include the names of the files you are editing, *scratch*, etc.

getting help
move to:	command	notes
view the tutorial	C-h t	probably a good idea to go through this. it's not all as boring as the beginning.
can I see a list of key commands?	C-h b	it's a long list. check out the search commands.
what key does command X?	C-h w	you have to know what emacs calls the command... like 'font-lock-mode'.
what mode am I in?	C-h m	a little jargony. try it..
what does THIS key do, exactly?	C-h k	it will prompt you to strike a key and then tell you what command that key is currently bound to.
what does this key do, briefly?	C-h c	just like C-h k, but gives less info and puts it in the minibuffer rather than splitting your screen.
help, how do I use emacs HELP?	C-h C-h	lists a set of help topics and how to access them.
I just have some personal problems I need to talk about...	M-x doctor	though talking to a computer for help may seem futile, it is often suspected that emacs is in fact an intelligence above and beyond our own. just give the doctor a chance.