The need

If you work with Linux machines and you don't use a terminal multiplexer you're doing it wrong.

What is a terminal multiplexer?

It lets you switch easily between several programs in one terminal, detach them (they keep running in the background) and reattach them to a different terminal.

The Solution

I use tmux, some people prefer sceen, just pick one and learn how to use is.

For tmux users this cheat sheet helps.