Request for basic GRASS info

[PERRY, BRIAN S. X5400]

I am a beginning GRASS user, and I do not know very much about GRASS.  I
have been doing the basic stuff like displaying maps, converting from
raster to vector, etc., but I don't know the full capabilities of GRASS.
I want to be able to zoom in on any part of a map and see the character-
istics of that area without much time and effort.  Is GRASS capable of
this?

I have the spearfish database and the global database.  Where might I 
find more GRASS data?  Also, is there an easy to follow tutorial for 
beginning GRASS users?  Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Brian S. Perry
Assoc. Systems Programmer
OAO Corporation
Arnold Air Force Base, TN  
perry at aedc-vax.af.mil