How to start common Ubuntu GUI programs from the terminal

To find the command line of something in the menus go to:
System -> Preferences -> Main Menu
Select the application and click preferences.

Using the UI? Alt-F2 is a quick way to launch an application without needing to run a terminal session. (if you know the command line name of it)

Create a USB start disk
usb-creator

A terminal session
gnome-terminal

Driver management
jockey-gtk

Graphics card config
nvidia-settings

The software update manager
update-manager

Startup programs
gnome-session-properties