Question: I feel stupid asking, but I can't seem to find the answer to this anywhere. I'm trying to follow [these instructions](http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=614743) to edit my bash prompt, but there is no `.bashrc` in either my user directory (`~/.bashrc`), or in my home directory, or in the main file system directory. 

There is no `.bashrc` in `/etc/` (there is a `bash.bashrc`, however). 

Do I create a `.bashrc` file in my user or home directory? Is there a better, more recent set of instructions for modifying the bash prompt?

Answer: 
Use `gedit ~/.bashrc`, it will allow you to modify `~/.bashrc` using gedit.
Just one note: after you made your alias in bashrc, you need in your terminal to write following command in order that your aliases work:

```
source .bashrc

```

Personally, whenever I install Linux anew, I add some aliases finding an appropriate place in .bashrc
E.g.

```
#My aliases
alias shut='shutdown now'
alias x='exit'
alias update='sudo apt-get update'

```

Etc. You get the idea.