Know your Linux Commands

May 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As you use Linux more and more you will find your way around an operating system that is growing in popularity with programmers due to its functionality and flexbility.

Getting to know a few popular commands will really help you to navigate the operating system with ease and will also grow your confidence and encourage you to develop further.

We have listed below a few Linux commands that you may not have come across before.   The script for these commands can be found on any number of Linux chat forums.

  1. There is a command for breaking up huge chunks of data into more manageable chunks which become much easier to manipulate
  2. ISOF is a great command which helps you open files and also find out which ports may be open.
  3. filename.bak is a great command if your working on something precious and need to do a quick back up
  4. YOu can also capture a video on a linx desktop using a simple command
  5. For something amusing there is the fortune commad which will display a quote or something amusing and insipirational
  6. THere are many funny Linux shell commands to be found on the internet for when you need some down time!

The key to learning is to have fun and really be engaged in a product.  The more you try these commands, learn the lingo and explore the parameters of of Linux the more

Filed Under: Linux, Operating Systems, Programming Tagged With: , ,

Linux Training

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Preparing to work with Linux, a computer operating system can be done through training. An individual can learn about all the workings of Linux through reading or taking courses.

Individuals that would be interested in this training typically would individuals interested in becoming Linux system administers and developers. This is because these positions are being sought after for employment. Linux servers are growing in popularity. There are many classes and in-depth courses available for Linux training. They can be taken on site, such as on a college campus or online.

Since there is an interest in Linux and Linux training the Linux Foundation has introduced training. The Linux Foundation continues to update the classes so students will get the highest knowledge possible. Just some of the possible focuses on classes include:

  • Developing Link Applications
  • Debugging
  • Developers skills
  • Program basics

Going through training is ideal for those that want to work with Linux as a career, but others may just want enough knowledge to perhaps use it in their device. Developers interested in Linux could learn how the system works and it will help them decide if it works for their needs. Then they will learn how to work with it. This knowledge will lead them to their goal and they would consider it an investment.

Many of the Linux training courses only last a few days, often five days or less, with some designed for a day of instruction. It could be that the every day computer user is dealing with Linux and they want to take a class to earn how to enhance the programs performance as well. Another element that training involves is learning how to use all the tools provided by Linux.

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Who Uses Linux Operating Systems?

December 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: A customer looks ...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The Linux operating system has become a popular choice of many individuals and companies. While other operating systems might be unstable and offer security risks, Linux offers companies and individuals the chance to run their computers on a system that is stable and safe.

With all the buzz going on about Linux what and the wave of companies choosing to go with this operating system, here is a look at some of the popular companies that have made the switch to Linux operating systems.

Rental Offices. Personal businesses and retail companies all across the company are switching to the Linux operating system. Many Los Angeles apartments have rental offices that are hooked up through Linux so that they can fill out rental information as well as resident information.

Google. Google is pretty much the king of the Internet and Internet searches. All of its main branch computer systems are hooked up through the Linux system. Even Google servers for the search engines run on Linux.

Government agencies. Many government agencies across the globe are switching to Linux as a way to have a safer, more secure operating system than the ones used previously.

Amazon. Amazon made the switch to the Linux operating system within the past few years. There are thousands of computers within the Amazon offices that take orders, allow shipments to be shipped out and help in customer service areas. All of these computers run on Linux.

Hollywood film companies. Many Hollywood film companies that use 3-D technology rely upon the Linux operating system as a way to run their computers. There are less crashes and technical repairs that need to be done. It also allows these companies to work smoothly and not have as many technical issues.

These are just a quick look at some of the popular companies that are making the switch to the Linux operating system.

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Linux Announces the Linux.com T-shirt Design Winner

December 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Linux.com Screenshot
Image via Wikipedia

The Linux Foundation recently launched a new storefront for customers to buy t-shirts, mugs, hats, and stickers in order to support the Linux cause. The company also launched a Linux T-Shirt Design Contest that drew over 100 entries. Six finalists were chosen from the 100 entries. After over 8,000 votes, the foundation announced the winner of the contest. The design won by 57 percent (or 4,501 of the votes cast). The other 43 percent belonged to the remaining five finalists. The winning design was displayed on T-shirts in Linux.com store.

The Linux Foundation announced that Mr. Said Hassan, a marketing consultant SADAF Information Technology in Gaza, Palestine as the winner. Hassan said it “represents the collective work of the people.” As the winner, Mr. Hassan will receive travel expenses and a free pass to LinuxCon in Boston where “The People’s Product” design will be displayed at the store.

Amanda McPherson at the Linux. Foundation said, the People’s Product design is an important addition to the Linux.com Store to help generate revenue for activities that advance the Linux operating system,” said Amanda McPherson at The Linux Foundation.

The Linux.com Store is an online marketplace where you can purchase items from a line of original T-shirts, hats, mugs, and other items. Six finalists were chosen from more than 100 design entries. Designers competed for the grand prize and encouraged their personal networks to vote.

Said’s design reads “We Made IT.” The T-Shirt design demonstrates the contributions of a worldwide community working to produce an innovative operating system. As the winner, Said gets a free pass to LinuxCon in Boston (along with travel expenses). T-shirts with the winning design will also be available to purchase at the conference.

Filed Under: Computers, Linux, Linux versions, Operating Systems Tagged With: , , ,

Defining Internet Cookies

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Internet Explorer Mobile Logo
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When you hear the word, “cookies,” you think of warm cookies baking in your oven, but Internet cookies are completely different. Newspapers and magazines often define cookies as “programs that websites place on your hard disk.” As it turns out, the newspaper definition of Internet cookies is wrong. Computer experts claim that cookies aren’t programs. The newspapers also say that cookies “gather information about everything you do on the Internet.” This statement is also incorrect because cookies are incapable of gathering information about computer users or computers themselves. A more correct definition of an Internet cookie is a piece of text that a web server stores on your computer’s hard drive. In other words, they allow websites to store information on your computer in order to retrieve that information later on.
Let’s say, for example, that you use Internet Explorer to browser the web. You can actually view all the Internet cookies that are stored on your computer’s hard drive from your c:windowscookies directory. The directory contains text files with name-value pairs. The directory also contains a single file for each web site that you have visited. For example, web sites generate a unique ID for each visitor, and then stores that number on your computer in a text file.
The c:windowscookies directory contains simple text files. You can open the text file and view which Web site placed the file on your computer. The file name also displays the web site’s name. For example, if you visited goto.com, the web site will place a cookie on your computer, and the cookie file for the web site may look something like this:
UserID A9B3CD057892D www.goto.com
In the above example, the name of the pair is UserID, and the value is A9B3CD057892D. The first time you visit goto.com, the website will assign you a unique ID and store it on your computer.
You can also open the file by double-clicking it.
Filed Under: Internet, Open Source, Operating Systems, Software Tagged With: , , ,

Speeding Up Your Computer

December 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Apparently sacrilege
Image by acroamatic via Flickr
Is your computer running as slow as molasses and you can’t figure out why? Some people think their computer runs slow because it’s getting older. As a result, they run out and buy a new one. The truth is, however, your computer should run as fast as the day you bought it. Before spending a lot of money on a new PC, you should try a few easy steps for making your old computer faster.
1. Empty your Temp directory on a regular basis. Your Temp directory fills up with junk files on an hourly basis. When you launch Windows (or Red Hat), your computer scans through this directory, making your computer run slower.
2. If you use Windows 2000 (or higher), or Windows XP, you need to delete your hidden folders. You can access hidden folders and files from your Tools drop-down menu.
3. Check your hard disk for any potential problems.
4. Purchase a third-party disk check utility. Many free ones are available on the Internet, or you can download a trial version for at least 15 days. Many of these utilities do a thorough job of fixing any hardware problems you may be experiencing. As an added bonus, they keep your computer running smoothly.
5. If you use Windows XP, you can do a few tweaks on your own that will improve your computer’s performance. For example, you can turn off a few features/functions that you don’t use regularly.
6. To keep the viruses and bugs from infecting your computer, it’s always a good idea to install an Anti-virus program like AVG.
7. If all else fails, turn of your Active Desktop. It contains a lot of unnecessary programs like calendars, weather reports, and stocks. Keeping it active will slow your computer down.
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A Brief Look at Wine for Linux

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

When you make the switch, and start using a Linux distribution as your operating system, you may feel a little nervous. Many people today have grown up using Windows Microsoft, and they are comfortable with the look, feel, and programs that come along with it. Luckily, if you have made the decision to use Linux, but still have some Microsoft programs that you want to use, you are in luck. There are programs out there that will allow you to do this. The most popular of these is Wine.

Wine, like many other open source programs, is free. It allows programs that are written and used by Microsoft to be able to run on other operating systems. Some people are concerned that Wine is an emulator, but it is not. It acts as a compatibility layer.

The Wine project was started in 1993. It has since its inceptions, been somewhat of a difficult process for its developers. Not only are some of the documentations of Windows incorrect, but many things have had to be reverse engineered, which requires a lot more time and effort.

Some people are concerned that wine hurts other applications that are made to be used with Linux, or that it is completely pointless. While people who use Wine to gain access to Windows based programs may not use the similar open source program, that does not mean that there are not many more people that are using those programs. Many people feel the need, or legitimately have the need to use certain Microsoft programs, and if a program like Wine was not available, they would not be using Linux at all.

Wine is a program that is constantly being changed, added to, and updated. currently, not every Microsoft program is working, and the program will continually be expanded. If using Windows programs is a concern that you have about moving to Linux, don’t let it be a concern any longer.

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Photo Editing and Other Multimedia Programs for Linux

November 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you are a designer, or just enjoy editing pictures, you may be concerned about the compatibility of a Linux distribution operating system and your favorite photo editing program. Unfortunately, not all photo editing programs are available to use with Linux, but even if your favorite isn’t, there are great options for other photo editing programs.

One of the most well known programs that is usable with Linux is GIMP. This is a free, open source photo editing program that you can use. It is great for both the experienced photo editors, as well as novices. Even if you are not currently using Linux, GIMP is usable for other operating systems as well. It is seen as one of the best, if not the best, free open source program that you can get for editing your pictures. It has been compared to Adobe Photoshop, and has a lot of the same functionality.

ImageMagick is another open source program that you can use to edit your pictures. It supports a wide variety of picture formats. There are quite a few different special effects that you can add to your pictures, as well as changing colors, scaling, flipping, and more. Though it has been said that this program is not as powerful as GIMP, it is still very functional for most people.

If you are wanting to create images, mvComicsMaker may be an option for you. With this program you can make vector images, and create bitmap files. You can even make animated images with this program! If you are wanting to get a little more in depth with your animations and do some 3D, Blender is a program that offers you a professional grade application.

Depending on what you want to do with your photos or images, there are different programs that you can find in the open source market that will surely fit your wants and needs!

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Office Software of Linux

November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Microsoft Office Core Applications

Image via Wikipedia

One thing that many people are concerned with when they move from Microsoft Window to a Linux based operating system is that they will not have the office software that they are used to working with. While the software that is available for a Linux based operating system may be a little different than what you are used to with Windows, there are still options and programs that can help anyone.

Open Office is currently the most widespread and well known of the programs that are considered office software. It has been made to be compatible with many, if not all, major office programs out there. In fact, many people who do not use Linux also use openoffice, because of the complete compatibility that it has. It is a completely free program, and has multiple applications that can be used.

If you are looking for something that focuses just on spreadsheets, Gnumeric could be a great option. The entire goal of the program has been to make the absolute best spreadsheet possible. They have also made it an effort to not copy other, existing applications exactly. Gnumeric is able to open files that have been saved on other spreadsheets.

If you are looking for a processor that will help you structure your documents how you want them to be, and give a great looking product right away, you may want to look at LyX. This program focuses on the structure of the document more than the appearance, and you don’t have to worry nearly as much about formatting or playing around to make it look good.

No matter what you are looking for in your office software, you can find great options that are free and open source. If you still prefer Microsoft Office, a program such as Wine may be able to help you get what you want for your Linux based operating system.

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Recognizable Companies That Use Linux

November 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

There are many companies that you are familiar with that use Linux as their operating systems. In fact, you may be surprised by the companies that rely on a Linux distribution for their every day workings.

If you have ever shopped at Burlington Coat Factory, you know that the store is a large factory outlet for mens clothing, women’s clothing, children’s clothing, and more. They actually have nearly 300 stores, which are located in 42 states throughout the United States. Burlington uses a Linux based operating system in their warehouses, back offices, and even their gift registry.

There are multiple large oil companies that use Linux in their daily operations. Amerada Hess Corporation, as well as Conoco.

You may be interested to find out that Cisco, which is a company that makes routers throughout the world, has their printing services running off of Linux. At one point, they signed a large agreement with Microsoft, and as part of that agreement, Cisco stated that they were an “all Microsoft” company. Cisco’s IT staff was unable to work correctly in Microsoft though, and is now working in a Linux based operating system.

There are even entire cities that use Linux based operating systems for their business offices. The City of Largo, Florida uses a Linux operating system, as well as the government of Mexico City. They could not justify the cost of Windows any longer, when they could get Linux for much, much cheaper. Even the United States Army, Federal courts, and Postal services use Linux bases for many of their operations.

Google, which is the most widely used search engine in the world would not work correctly if they did not use the extreme customizability of a Linux operating system.

There are many companies, both large and small, that use Linux based operating systems for their back end, daily use, warehousing, and more. Linux is a great system not only for companies, but also for individual users.

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