Getting into the classics is no easy task. You have no idea where to start, what keys to press, how to find information... Well, I'm here to help! I'd like to talk to you about Fallout 1 hotkeys, so you will have a place where to start, at least. Let's take it from the top...

Use the ESC key to bring up the game menu anytime you need it. You can also use this key to dismiss non-dialogue windows, i.e. loot windows.

F1 will pop up the in-game Help window, which is basically a picture with Fallout 1 keys and some other useful hints about how to play Fallout.

Quickly increase or decrease the game's volume with the F2 and F3 keys.

To either save or load a game, use the F4 and F5 keys, respectively. To quickly save without choosing a slot, press F6. To quickly load a quick save, hit the F7 key.

F10 will quit the current game and take you to the main menu.

If you want to take a screenshot, use F12. I believe the screenshots are saved in the game's directory, wherever that is, but I'm not 100% sure. I always capture my screen with a program called Lightshot. It's free to use and very useful (can capture Instagram photos, for example).

You may use the numeric keys (1 to 8) to activate a skill. I only use 2 for lock picking, but you might wanna use 1 for sneaking (make sure Always Run is turned off in Settings if you want your character to both run and walk) and 3 for pickpocketing (if your Steal skill is high enough).

Game too dark or too bright? Use the + and - keys to adjust the game's brightness on the fly.

The TAB key will bring up a mini-map. Not a very useful one, to be honest...

Access the inventory with the I key. Careful! If in combat, this will consume 4 AP (Action Points).

Press O for Options or P for PipBoy, where you can set up how long your character should wait or sleep (must be out of combat for this to work) OR just check the date.

Hitting A will initiate combat. If you don't have any weapons in your hands, your character will fight with his/her bare hands. If you DO have weapons equipped, you can easily switch between them by pressing the B key (this doesn't consume any AP). To end the combat, press Enter.

The S key opens your SKILLDEX, but personally I prefer using the numeric keys for skills.

Z allows you to rest and heal, but this action cannot be used in combat and some locations.

The C key activates your Character screen. Use it when you level up or to check on your skills.

N key will cycle through actions for equipped items (for example, changing from normal fire to burst fire). Alternatively, you can right-click on the item boxes to cycle through actions.

? will show you the in-game time (some NPCs won't talk to you until morning).

Press the SPACE bar to end your turn when you still have AP left. This key will also automatically end combat IF no hostiles are currently engaging you.

There are some more keys on the right sight of the keyboard:

Use the arrow keys to scroll the camera across the world map.

Press Home to center on your character if you ever get lost.

Hit the 1 to 8 keys to use your skills (Num Lock must be turned on!).

Finally, if you ever want to know the version of the Fallout game you're currently playing, press CTRL+V and check the bottom left window, where dialogue is usually displayed.

Well, that's pretty all you need to know about Fallout 1's keyboard controls. I hope I just made your life easier... Of course, these Fallout 1 hotkeys also work for Fallout 2, so don't be shy to use them there too!

Need more help? This will get you started with Fallout:
https://www.fallout.one/pages/fallout-1-controls.html