How-To Geek - Linux

How to Install the Latest Python Version on Ubuntu Linux

Zunaid Ali — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 16:00:28 GMT

Every year, the Python programming language receives major updates and improvements. But the version preinstalled on Ubuntu Linux may not be the latest. If you need a more up-to-date release, here are the steps to getting the latest version of Python on Ubuntu.

How to Find the PID of a Linux Process With pidof or pgrep

Dave McKay — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 13:30:36 GMT

Working with a Linux process often means knowing its process ID, or PID. It's a unique number given to each piece of running software. Here are two ways to find out what it is.

How to Copy Files and Directories in the Linux Terminal

Abubakar Mohammed — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:31:34 GMT

Like any other operating system, you can copy and paste files and directories (folders) in a Linux distribution using the desktop interface. But you can save time by copying those files in the Terminal. Here's how.

How to View Free Disk Space and Disk Usage From the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

The df and du commands report on disk space usage from within the Bash shell used on Linux, macOS, and many other Unix-like operating systems. These commands let you easily identify what's using up your system's storage.

What's New in Fedora Linux 39

Dave McKay — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:01:34 GMT

The next release of Fedora Linux, Fedora 39, will be available on Oct. 24th, 2023. To get a sneak peak at the new features, we installed a late beta version of this dependable Linux stalwart.

What Are stdin, stdout, and stderr on Linux?

Dave McKay — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 15:30:33 GMT

stdin, stdout, and stderr are three data streams created when you launch a Linux command. You can use them to tell if your scripts are being piped or redirected. We show you how.

Tor Browser 13.0 Finally Adds a Landscape Aspect Ratio

Andrew Heinzman — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:13:46 GMT

The Tor Browser 13.0 update introduces several long-awaited improvements, including a landscape aspect ratio, a fix for the "red screen of death," and several enhancements from Mozilla's Firefox ESR 115. Updated app icons and GUI elements are also part of the mix, though Tor Browser retains its basic look and feel.

The Linux rm Command: Everything You Need to Know

Dave McKay — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:30:35 GMT

The Linux rm command deletes files and directories. To use this tool safely, you need to be certain what's going to happen when you hit "Enter." Here's what you need to know.

Ubuntu Linux 23.10 “Mantic Minotaur” Is Now Available

Corbin Davenport — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 19:41:06 GMT

Ubuntu is one of most popular Linux distributions for desktop PCs and servers, and it serves as the foundation for countless other spinoff distributions. Today marks the release day for Ubuntu 23.10, nicknamed Mantic Minotaur, with many new features and updates ahead of next year's LTS release.

Raspberry Pi OS Gets the Debian 12 "Bookworm" Upgrade

Andrew Heinzman — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:34:13 GMT

Based on Debian 12 "Bookworm," the latest Raspberry Pi OS is now available. It's the first operating system to officially support the new Raspberry Pi 5, though it's also available in 32- and 64-bit flavors for older Pi models. You can write this Pi OS release to an SD card using the Raspberry Pi Imager or by downloading the standalone image and flashing it yourself.

15 Special Characters You Need to Know for Bash

Dave McKay — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:30:35 GMT

If you want to master the Bash shell on Linux, macOS, or another UNIX-like system, special characters (like ~, *, |, and >) are critical. We'll help you unravel these cryptic Linux command sequences and become a hero of hieroglyphics.

7 Websites to Learn Linux the Fun Way

Zunaid Ali — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:01:34 GMT

Learning Linux doesn't have to be a daunting journey anymore, thanks to myriad online resources. Gone are the days when you had to read boring textbooks and rely on hard-to-consume technical documentation to learn it. We searched the internet to find the best websites so you can learn Linux in a fun, interactive, and engaging way.

How to Flush DNS in Linux

Dave McKay — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:30:33 GMT

Is your internet browsing experience slow on your Linux device, or are the websites you're visiting outdated or the wrong website altogether? Let's discuss flushing the DNS cache on Linux, and how to know whether you really need to.

How to Use the uname Command on Linux

Haroon Javed — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:00:32 GMT

The Linux uname command can display information about the system. You can use different options with the uname command to filter out the specific information you require. The uname command can retrieve information like the system hostname, version of the kernel, and processor architecture.

37 Important Linux Commands You Should Know

Dave McKay — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:30:35 GMT

Are you new to Linux or just a little rusty? Here are all the commands you'll need to know. Think of this as an essential reference for the Linux terminal. This applies to the macOS command line, too.

How to Install a DEB File in Linux

Abubakar Mohammed — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 12:30:33 GMT

So, you finally installed Linux and when downloading your favorite app you got a file with the ".deb" extension. Now what? In this article, let's look at the two ways you can easily install apps using DEB files on Linux.

How to List Environment Variables on Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 15:30:33 GMT

On Linux, environment variables hold important values and settings. Scripts, applications, and shells read these values, often to configure themselves, or to control their behavior. Here are several ways to show environment variables in your terminal, and how to interpret the list as well.

How to Fix Windows and Linux Showing Different Times When Dual Booting

Chris Hoffman — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:31:33 GMT

Your computer stores the time in a hardware clock on its motherboard. The clock keeps track of time, even when the computer is off. By default, Windows assumes the time is stored in local time, while Linux assumes the time is stored in UTC time and applies an offset. This leads to one of your operating systems showing the wrong time in a dual boot situation.

How to Compare Two Text Files in the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:31:33 GMT

Need to see the differences between two revisions of a text file? Then diff is the command you need. We'll show you how to use diff on Linux and macOS, the easy way.

How to Download and Install Steam on Linux

Abubakar Mohammed — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:31:33 GMT

So, you want to try out gaming on Linux? In this article, let's look at how to install Steam on any Linux distribution to kickstart your Linux gaming journey.

What's New in Ubuntu 23.10 "Mantic Minotaur"

Dave McKay — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 12:00:33 GMT

Canonical is releasing Ubuntu 23.10 “Mantic Minotaur” on October 12th, 2023. To let you know what you can expect, we grabbed the bull by the horns and installed the latest beta build.

How to Use the scp Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:00:34 GMT

The scp command makes copying files between Linux computers easy and secure. It uses SSH security, but best of all, it is simple. If you can use cp, you can use scp.

How to Use Linux's screen Command

Dave McKay — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 15:00:33 GMT

With the Linux screen command, you can push running terminal applications to the background and pull them forward when you want to see them. It also supports split-screen displays and works over SSH connections, even after you disconnect and reconnect!

How to Install the Telegram Chat Client on Linux

Dave McKay — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 13:01:37 GMT

Telegram is a chat client developed with security and privacy in mind. It’s mainly used on cell phones, but it does have desktop clients, too. Here’s how to install it on Linux.

List the partition tables in Ubuntu

Lowell Heddings — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:00:37 GMT

Figuring out how drives are partitioned isn't something you'll need to do every day, but it important to be able to do it when the need arises. Here are eight quick ways to do it on Ubuntu.

How to Use the awk Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:00:29 GMT

On Linux, awk is a command-line text manipulation dynamo, as well as a powerful scripting language. Here's an introduction to some of its coolest features.

Update LibreOffice Now to Fix a Security Flaw

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:52:52 GMT

Earlier this month, a security vulnerability in the popular libwebp software library was discovered, affecting everything from web browsers to email clients. The Document Foundation, the developers behind the free and open-source LibreOffice suite, has now released an emergency update for LibreOffice that includes the fix. You should update as soon as possible if you have LibreOffice installed.

How to Safely Free Up Space in the Boot Partition on Ubuntu

Haroon Javed — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:00:38 GMT

Cleaning up the boot partition on an Ubuntu Linux system typically involves removing old or unused kernel files. Over time, as you update your Linux kernel, old kernel versions accumulate and take up space. To free up boot space, you can simply remove the old kernels or resize the boot partition at once.

apt vs. apt-get: What's the Difference on Linux?

Dave McKay — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:01:29 GMT

Why do Debian-based Linux distributions have apt as well as apt-get? Did apt replace apt-get or do they have different purposes? We explain the relationship between these two commands.

3 Ways to Add a Repository on Debian Linux

Zunaid Ali — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:00:32 GMT

Debian Linux uses the APT package manager which depends on a list of repositories to install packages. If you want to use software packages not included in the official Debian repositories, you'll need to add them yourself. If you're in that situation, this tutorial will show you how to add third-party repositories to your Debian system.

What is ZSH, and Why Should You Use It Instead of Bash?

Anthony Heddings — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 15:00:30 GMT

Bash, or the Bourne Again Shell, is a hallmark of Linux systems. However, there are other shells out there that may offer extra functionality. Here's how to install one popular alternative, ZSH.

What Is Reverse SSH Tunneling? (and How to Use It)

Dave McKay — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 15:01:29 GMT

Need to SSH to an unreachable Linux computer? Have it call you, then burrow down that connection to get your own remote SSH session. We show you how.

How to Extract Files From a .tar.bz2 or .tar.gz File on Linux

Dave McKay — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:31:28 GMT

Tar files are compressed archives. You'll encounter them frequently while using a Linux distribution like Ubuntu or even while using the terminal on macOS. Here's how to extract — or untar — the contents of a tar file, also known as a tarball.

How to Discover the Screen Resolution in Linux Scripts

Dave McKay — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:01:30 GMT

If you need to know your current screen resolution on a Linux computer, you have several commands to choose from. Sometimes it is useful to incorporate that functionality in a Bash script.

How to Install PuTTY on Linux

Haroon Javed — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:01:29 GMT

PuTTY is a versatile terminal emulator, initially designed for Windows. To date, it’s one of the most popular SSH clients for Windows. PuTTY is not limited to Windows only. With its large number of demand, it is also available across other operating systems like Linux.

GNOME 45 Now Available, Coming to a Linux Desktop Near You

Arol Wright — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:09:21 GMT

An important part of using Linux is choosing a decent desktop environment. GNOME and KDE are the top contenders, with an entire ecosystem of applications and utilities integrated to work together, and GNOME 45 entered beta back in August after months of development. Now, GNOME 45 is officially out, and you'll be able to try it in popular Linux distributions soon.

How to Use the chroot Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:30:35 GMT

The chroot command can send you to jail, keep your development or test environments isolated, or just improve your system's security. We show you the easiest way to use it.

How to Zip or Unzip Files From the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:01:28 GMT

ZIP files are a universal archive commonly used on Windows, macOS, and even Linux systems. You can create a zip archive or unzip files from one with some common Linux terminal commands.

How to Exit the Vi or Vim Editor

Dave McKay — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 15:00:27 GMT

The vi editor is confusing if you're not used to it. It takes a secret handshake to escape this application if you've stumbled into it. Here's how to quit vi or vim on Linux, macOS, or any other Unix-like system.

How to Add a Directory to Your $PATH in Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 14:30:26 GMT

PATH is one of the silent manipulators in the background of your Linux computer. It quietly affects your user experience, but there's nothing shady about it. We'll explain what it does, and how you can adjust it.

How to Run a Linux Program at Startup with systemd

Dave McKay — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:00:26 GMT

Need to launch a Linux program at boot? The systemd software provides a way to do it on any Linux distro with systemd — which is most of them these days, including Ubuntu. We'll walk you through the process of creating an integrated service —and it even talks to the journal.

How to Use the xargs Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:31:28 GMT

Need to string some Linux commands together, but one of them doesn't accept piped input? xargs is the command for you.

How to Check Which GPU Is Installed on Linux

Dave McKay — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:30 GMT

Need to identify the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in a Linux computer? Here's how you can identify the graphics card from the command line and in GNOME.

What Is Rhino Linux, and Should You Use It?

Zunaid Ali — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:01:31 GMT

Rhino Linux is an Ubuntu-based distribution launched back on August 8th, 2023. It follows the rolling release model which many Ubuntu users have been wanting for years. The current version as of writing this is 2023.2 released on August 28th, 2023. If you’re interested in trying it out, the ISO is available for download.

Purism Librem 11 Gives You Full Desktop Linux in a Tablet

Arol Wright — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:32:17 GMT

Tablets with "desktop" operating systems aren't too common these days, outside the occasional Microsoft Surface. There are 2-in-1 laptops which can be used like tablets, which has all but eliminated the need of cramming desktop operating systems into a tablet-only form factor. Most tablets either are iPads or run Android, and come equipped with ARM-based chipsets just like smartphones. If you want something a little different, however, this Linux tablet might fit the bill.

How to Use netstat on Linux

Dave McKay — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:01:25 GMT

The Linux netstat command gives you a treasure-trove of information about your network connections, the ports that are in use, and the processes using them. Learn how to use it.

Ubuntu Linux Will Add TPM-Backed Full-Disk Encryption

Arol Wright — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 21:03:53 GMT

Many people know TPM modules as the main requirement for Windows 11, which was also one of the main reasons why several older computers were not supported (at least officially) by Microsoft's new operating system. But TPM is actually a hugely useful security feature in our computers. It's a module that basically enhances the security and the privacy of your PC, something hugely useful given how online security seems to be more important than ever these days. If you use Ubuntu, though, you're about to get another perk if you actually care about TPM — enhanced full-disk encryption.

How to Use the find Command in Linux

Dave McKay — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:00:31 GMT

The Linux find command is great at searching for files and directories. But you can also pass the results of the search to other programs for further processing. We show you how.

How to Use the grep Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 15:01:28 GMT

The Linux grep command is a string and pattern matching utility that displays matching lines from multiple files. It also works with piped output from other commands. We show you how.

How to Determine the Current User Account in Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 13:30:28 GMT

If Linux means anything, it means choice. You can achieve even a simple task like identifying the current user in many ways. This tutorial will show you how to use some of the quickest and easiest methods.

4 Ways to Install Discord on Ubuntu

Zunaid Ali — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:00:30 GMT

Discord is a popular communication app that many gamers swear by. If you’re new to Ubuntu and need to install Discord, we’ll show you how.

How to Use the rename Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:30:28 GMT

Get to grips with the file renaming powerhouse of the Linux world and give mv — and yourself — a rest. Rename is flexible, fast, and sometimes even easier. Here's how to use to this powerhouse of a command.

How to Reboot or Shut Down Linux Using the Command Line

Dave McKay — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:00:28 GMT

Feel like starting over? We'll show you how to cleanly and safely reboot or shut down your Linux or macOS computer from the command line.

5 Ways to Count Files in a Directory on Linux

Haroon Javed — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:00:30 GMT

Working with operating systems like Linux, managing files is one of the fundamental tasks. If you are a Linux admin, imagine the file count you have to deal with. And if your files consume a lot of disk space, then it will be a tough nut to crack. Let's discuss some ways to count these files, including the pesky hidden files.

Say Goodbye to Intel NUC as ASUS Takes Over the Mini PC Brand

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:02:06 GMT

Earlier this year, Intel announced that it would no longer manufacture NUC mini PCs. But ASUS quickly swooped in to save the day—it secured a non-exclusive license to continue supporting and creating NUC PCs, effectively marking itself as the new operator of the NUC brand. Now, ASUS has listed a pared-down selection of 13th Gen Intel NUC PCs and kits on its website, and it plans to release new ASUS NUC systems in the near future.

How (and Why) to Replace cron Jobs With systemd Timers

Dave McKay — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 16:00:29 GMT

One of the changes systemd brought in was a new way to schedule jobs, with more finesse than cron. Some Linux distributions no longer ship cron. It’s time to check out systemd timers.

How to Use the sed Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 16:00:27 GMT

It might sound crazy, but the Linux sed command is a text editor without an interface. You can use it from the command line to manipulate text in files and streams. We'll show you how to harness its power.

How to See All Devices on Your Network With nmap on Linux

Dave McKay — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 16:01:28 GMT

Think you know what's connected to your home network? You might be surprised. Learn how to check using nmap on Linux, which will let you explore all the devices connected to your network.

How to Add a User to the sudoers File in Linux

Dave McKay — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:30:29 GMT

If a sudo command on Linux gets you a message that a user "is not in the sudoers file," you'll need to get on the "sudoers" list. We'll walk through adding a user to sudoers in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions as well as editing the sudoers file.

Linux Kernel 6.5 Released, Will Be Used in Ubuntu 23.10

Corbin Davenport — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:59:40 GMT

The Linux kernel is at the core of all desktop and server Linux distributions, from Ubuntu to Fedora, and it also powers countless other operating systems and virtual machines. Linux kernel 6.5 is now available, with some great improvements for newer AMD and Intel processors. You can expect to see it in your favorite Linux distribution soon,

You Don't Have to Leave Windows: 8 Ways to Start Using Linux

Jordan Gloor — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 11:00:27 GMT

Getting started with Linux for the first time can be intimidating. But the freedom afforded by Linux includes the freedom to use it how and when you want. I'll walk you through several different ways you can take advantage of Linux's capabilities, involving more or less commitment and technical know-how on your part.

Here's What's New in GNOME 45

Dave McKay — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:01:25 GMT

Ahead of its scheduled September 20 release, we take the beta release of GNOME 45 for a spin to see what’s new in the most recent iteration of the venerable Linux desktop environment.

Parallels Desktop 19 Improves Windows and Linux VMs on Mac

Andrew Heinzman — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:17:53 GMT

In anticipation of macOS Sonoma, Alludo (previously Corel) has launched Parallels Desktop 19. The updated virtualization software offers several interesting improvements, including ARM-based Linux VM support with x86-64 emulation and the ability to use Touch ID verification in Windows VMs. Of course, Parallels Desktop still costs $100 a year or a one-time payment of $130 for a perpetual license. Those who bought a perpetual license for the previous release must pay $70 to upgrade.

Gnome 45 Now in Beta, With New Camera and Image Apps

Corbin Davenport — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:22:16 GMT

GNOME is one of the most popular desktop environments for Linux, and it's used in Ubuntu, Fedora, and other desktop distributions. The next major release, GNOME 45, is now officially in beta testing ahead of its inclusion in Ubuntu 23.10 and other operating systems.

The Best Keyboard Shortcuts for Bash (aka the Linux and macOS Terminal)

Lowell Heddings — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:29 GMT

Bash is the default command-line shell on most Linux distributions, from Ubuntu and Debian to Red Hat and Fedora. Bash is also the default shell included with macOS, and you can install a Linux-based bash environment on Windows 10.

How to Choose the Best Linux Distro for Programming and Development

Dave McKay — Sun, 20 Aug 2023 11:01:27 GMT

Developers have a special set of needs from their operating system, such as performance and access to a wide range of development tools. Knowing that, can we pick a ‘best’ Linux distribution for programmers?

How to List Linux Services With systemctl

Dave McKay — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:31:25 GMT

**To see all running services on a Linux system with systemd, use the command "systemctl --type=service --state=running". This will show you each active service's name, load, sub-state, and description. You can also change the state value to see services that are dead, exited, failed, or inactive.**

How to Use the chmod Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 14:30:26 GMT

Control who can access files, search directories, and run scripts using the Linux's chmod command. This command modifies Linux file permissions, which look complicated at first glance but are actually pretty simple once you know how they work.

How to Mount and Unmount Storage Devices from the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:30:29 GMT

File systems in Linux and Unix-like operating systems like macOS can be mounted, unmounted, and remounted using the terminal. This is a powerful and versatile tool---here's everything you need to know.

How to Use the Linux top Command (and Understand Its Output)

Dave McKay — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:01:29 GMT

The Linux top command is one of the stalwarts of Unix-like operating systems. Its utilitarian display is packed with useful information about your system's running processes and resource usage. But, did you know it also supports color, highlighting, and even elementary graphs?

CrossOver 23 Brings More Windows Apps and Games to Mac

Corbin Davenport — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 18:41:39 GMT

CrossOver is a popular compatibility layer for running Windows software on Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks, based on the open-source Wine project. The developers have been hard at work on a new version with improved DirectX 12 support and other changes, and now it's finally available as the CrossOver 23 update.

How to Compress and Extract Files Using the tar Command on Linux

Chris Hoffman — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:00:28 GMT

The tar command on Linux is often used to create .tar.gz or .tgz archive files, also called "tarballs." This command has a large number of options, but you just need to remember a few letters to quickly create archives with tar. The tar command can extract the resulting archives, too.

How to Delete Files and Directories in the Linux Terminal

Dave McKay — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 13:00:00 GMT

The rm and rmdir commands delete files and directories on Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like operating systems. They're similar to the del and deltree commands in Windows and DOS. These commands are very powerful and have quite a few options.

How To Use the iconv Command on Linux

Dave McKay — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:00:27 GMT

Computers store characters by mapping them to different binary values. To display them properly, you need to know how they were encoded. The iconv command converts a file to a new encoding.

How to Work with Variables in Bash

Dave McKay — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Variables are vital if you want to write scripts and understand what that code you're about to cut and paste from the web will do to your Linux computer. We'll get you started!

Debian Linux is Joining The RISC-V Bandwagon

Arol Wright — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 21:30:24 GMT

The concept behind RISC-V is truly exciting and, if it's actually able to take off, it might change the tech landscape considerably. Unlike ARM and x86, RISC-V is a completely open architecture, allowing anyone to create processors based on the design or create improvements without complicated licensing agreements. Now, Debian is officially adding RISC-V support in its next major version, version 13.

Take a Peek at GNOME 45’s New Default Wallpaper

Arol Wright — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:34:08 GMT

Some people don't really ever change the default wallpapers on their devices, and I count myself in that category. Default and preloaded wallpapers come in all shapes and forms, and it's normal to see new operating system releases drop new wallpapers. The next update for the GNOME desktop environment on Linux, GNOME 45, is in the works with a snazzy pair of new default wallpapers.

I Replaced Chrome With GNOME Web, Here's How It Went

Dave McKay — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 15:00:26 GMT

GNOME Web is the default GNOME web browser, formerly known as Epiphany. Is it ready to be used as your daily go-to browser on Linux? I used it for a week to find out.

What Is Ubuntu Pro, and Is It Worth It?

Dave McKay — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:00:20 GMT

Ubuntu Pro guarantees security updates for ten years for Ubuntu Linux desktops and servers. That's attractive for corporations and anyone providing critical infrastructure. For the rest of us, it's free for personal use.

What Is a Flatpak in Linux, and How Do You Install One?

Dave McKay — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 15:00:20 GMT

Flatpaks are a distribution-agnostic way to install applications onto your Linux computer. But if your distribution already has a native way to install applications, why would you ever bother to use Flatpaks?

What Is Wayland on Linux, and How Is It Different From X?

Dave McKay — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 13:00:47 GMT

X11, or the X Window System, lets your graphical desktop environment display and control windows. Wayland is a replacement for X11. It's designed to be faster and more secure. Here's what you need to know about them.

Why I Hopped from Manjaro Linux to EndeavourOS

Dave McKay — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 15:00:35 GMT

I used Manjaro Linux for two years, but my initial delight with Manjaro dwindled over time, and I felt less and less comfortable with it. Here's why I hopped over to EndeavourOS.

What Is the AUR in Arch Linux, and Should You Use It?

Dave McKay — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:00:06 GMT

The AUR is one of the jewels in the crown of Arch Linux, providing thousands of additional software packages. But is this user-driven repository safe to use, or should you avoid it?

How to Fix the Ubuntu Login Loop

Dave McKay — Thu, 25 May 2023 12:00:50 GMT

The Ubuntu login loop is a frustrating problem that makes it impossible for you to log in. We describe six different issues that can cause this behavior and how to fix them.

How to Add and Remove Users on Ubuntu

Dave McKay — Fri, 19 May 2023 13:00:13 GMT

The system administrator role includes creating users, deleting users, and reviewing existing users. They also control who can, and cannot, useroot's elevated powers. Here's how to do that on Ubuntu Linux.

6 Linux Terminal Mistakes Beginners Make

Dave McKay — Wed, 17 May 2023 09:00:47 GMT

The Linux command line traces its family tree all the way back to 1969, and it's still the most efficient way to perform certain tasks. Just make sure you avoid these common mistakes, if you're just starting out.

How to Use the Linux tr Command

Dave McKay — Mon, 15 May 2023 12:00:54 GMT

Do you need a no-frills method for manipulating a stream of text in Linux? Look no further than the tr command, which can save you time in replacing, removing, combining, and compressing input text. This is how it's done.

How to Use GRUB Rescue to Fix Linux

Dave McKay — Wed, 10 May 2023 12:00:41 GMT

If your Linux computer can't boot into its operating system, you're likely to find yourself staring at a prompt in the GRUB shell. Follow these steps to repair your broken boot processes.

How to List the Installed Packages on Linux

Dave McKay — Sat, 06 May 2023 16:00:00 GMT

With thousands of free Linux applications, it's easy to lose track of what you once installed but no longer use. Here's how to list the installed applications on the major Linux families, and a few methods that don't depend on your Linux distribution.

How to Fix "make: command not found" Error in Ubuntu

Dave McKay — Fri, 05 May 2023 14:00:45 GMT

Standard Ubuntu installs don't include the Linux make utility. It's used mainly by software developers, but even non-coders may need it in some situations. Here's how to install make on Ubuntu Linux.

How to Set a Static IP Address in Ubuntu

Dave McKay — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Your home network relies on IP addresses to route data between devices, and sometimes on reconnecting to the network a device's address can change. Here's how to give an Ubuntu Linux computer a permanent IP address that survives reboots.

How to Use Bash If Statements (With 4 Examples)

Dave McKay — Tue, 02 May 2023 12:00:48 GMT

All non-trivial Bash scripts need to make decisions. The Bash if statement lets your Linux script ask questions and, depending on the answer, run different sections of code. Here's how they work.

How to Create a User on Linux

Dave McKay — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Adding users to a Linux computer is a basic administration task, and there are several ways to achieve this. Each method of creating users has benefits and drawbacks, and we'll walk you through three different user creation techniques.

Flathub, the Linux App Store, Has a Slick New Website

Arol Wright — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 10:46:25 GMT

The Flathub app repository is like an "app store" for Linux desktops, filled with both mainstream applications and smaller projects. It's one of the best places to get new programs for your Linux PC, regardless of what distribution you're using, and now it has a new look.

What's New in Ubuntu 23.04 "Lunar Lobster", Available Now

Dave McKay — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:00:00 GMT

Canonical's latest release of its Ubuntu Linux desktop is here and we can hear its claws clacking. Ubuntu 23.04 arrived on April 20, 2023, and we gave the Lunar Lobster a once over ahead of its release.

What's New in Fedora 38, Available Now

Dave McKay — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 15:25:00 GMT

Fedora 38 was released on April 18, 2023. So that you know what to expect when you install it, we took the beta for a spin to see what's new in this Linux distribution's latest release.

Fix: "Bad Interpreter: No Such File or Directory" Error in Linux

Jordan Gloor — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:00:32 GMT

Did you try running a Bash script and got a "/bin/bash^M: bad interpreter: No such file or directory" error message? The output isn't very helpful and almost gives the impression your script is missing. Fortunately, that's not the case, and the fix is very simple.

Pine64's New ARM and RISC-V Tablets Run Linux

Arol Wright — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:10:04 GMT

Pine64 makes plenty of hardware geared towards fans of Linux and open-source hardware. Now the company is about to release a new ARM-based Linux tablet, as well as its first RISC-V tablet.

How to Disable Bluetooth on Arch Linux

Dave McKay — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 12:00:53 GMT

If your Arch Linux computer supports Bluetooth but you're not using it, it'll just be wasting power. Instead of turning it off whenever you boot your computer, disable the Bluetooth service instead.

How to Reinstall Steam OS on a Steam Deck

Goran Damnjanovic — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 09:00:17 GMT

If your Steam Deck suffers from SteamOS-related issues---failing to boot, being unresponsive or any other similar problem---you might want to reinstall or reimage SteamOS. Knowing how to restore SteamOS is also handy when you want to switch back from Windows to SteamOS. Here's how to do it.