Linux is Confusing. These Articles Should Help

How to Control sudo Access on Linux

The sudo command lets you run commands on Linux as though you were someone else, such as root. sudo also lets you control who can access root's capabilities, with granularity. Give users full access or let them use a small...

Dave McKay 3d ago

How to Use the ps Command to Monitor Linux Processes

Get a snapshot of the processes running in your Linux computer with the ps command. Locate processes by name, user, or even terminal with as much or as little detail as you need. We show you how.

Dave McKay 4d ago

How to Use curl to Download Files From the Linux Command Line

The Linux curl command can do a whole lot more than download files. Find out what curl is capable of, and when you should use it instead of wget.

Dave McKay 5d ago

How to Change Account Passwords on Linux

Passwords have been a keystone of account security for 60 years, predating Unix by nearly a decade. Learn how to use either the command line or the GNOME desktop environment to manage your passwords in Linux....

Dave McKay Nov 15th

How to Create a Screencast on Linux

Want to make a screencast on Linux but feeling overwhelmed by the choice of tools and programs? We describe three ways to create a screencast. The quick and easy way, the hard-core and granular way, and the way we think is th...

Dave McKay Nov 14th

How to Use Canonical’s Livepatch Service on Ubuntu

Fancy having critical Linux kernel patches automatically applied to your Ubuntu system—without having to reboot your computer? We describe how to use Canonical’s Livepatch Service to do just that....

Dave McKay Nov 6th

How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Ubuntu

Desktop icons should be simple, but they’re not on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and newer releases like Ubuntu 19.10. Follow these easy steps to get desktop shortcuts for your favorite applications, just like on other operating sys...

Dave McKay Nov 4th

How to Use the Echo Command on Linux

The echo command is perfect for writing formatted text to the terminal window. And it doesn’t have to be static text. It can include shell variables, filenames, and directories. You can also redirect echo to create text...

Dave McKay Oct 29th

How to Write an fstab File on Linux

Adding a new hard drive or solid-state drive to your Linux computer? You’ll need to edit your fstab file. A lot of people find the very idea scary. Yes, it’s critical that you get it right, but armed with the righ...

Dave McKay Oct 25th

How to Use the less Command on Linux

The less command lets you page through a text file, displaying a screenful of text each time. It seems like one of the simplest Linux commands at first glance, but there’s a lot more to less than meets the eye....

Dave McKay Oct 23rd

Is macOS UNIX? (and What Does That Mean?)

Is macOS UNIX or just Unix? Or is it Unix-like? We answer the never-ending debate and explain standards like POSIX and the SUS along the way.

What’s New in Ubuntu 19.10 “Eoan Ermine,” Available Now

Ubuntu 19.10 “Eoan Ermine” boasts an upgraded Linux kernel along with faster boot times, updated themes, and experimental ZFS file system support. Whether or not you upgrade, Ermine shows what to expect from Ubun...

The Best Ways to Secure Your SSH Server

Secure your Linux system’s SSH connection to protect your system and data. System administrators and home users alike need to harden and secure internet-facing computers, but SSH can be complicated. Here are ten easy qu...

How to Use the mkfs Command on Linux

You must create a file system before you can use any data storage device connected to a Linux computer. Learn how to use mkfs and other utilities to do just that for all sorts of file systems. We show you how....

Dave McKay Oct 11th

Did Linux Kill Commercial Unix?

Sales of commercial Unix have fallen off a cliff. There has to be something behind this dramatic decline. Has Linux killed its ancestor by becoming a perfectly viable replacement, like an operating system version of Invasion ...

How to Use Port Knocking on Linux (and Why You Shouldn’t)

Port knocking is a way to secure a server by closing firewall ports—even those you know will be used. Those ports are opened on demand if—and only if—the connection request provides the secret knock....

Dave McKay Oct 9th

How to Work with Variables in Bash

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!

Dave McKay Oct 7th

How to Move Your Linux home Directory to Another Drive

Want to move your Linux home folder to another drive? Here’s a straightforward and step by step way to do it that should work on any distribution. Moving your home folder means you can reinstall Linux and not have to w...

Dave McKay Oct 3rd

How to Use the chroot Command on Linux

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.

Dave McKay Sep 26th

How to Run and Control Background Processes on Linux

Use the Bash shell in Linux to manage foreground and background processes. You can use Bash’s job control functions and signals to give you more flexibility in how you run commands. We show you how....

Dave McKay Sep 24th

How to Copy and Paste Text at Linux’s Bash Shell

Want to copy and paste at the command line of the Bash shell? We’ll show you multiple techniques whether you favor the keyboard or the mouse. These work whether you’re at a graphical desktop or at a traditional te...

Dave McKay Sep 23rd

How to Create Aliases and Shell Functions on Linux

Create your own Linux commands using aliases and Bash shell functions. Tame repetitive tasks, truncate long-winded processes, and configure standard commands with the options you always use and struggle to remember....

Dave McKay Sep 20th

15 Special Characters You Need to Know for Bash

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...

How to Use the finger Command on Linux

Knowing who is using your Linux or Unix-like system is a fundamental part of managing it. Pointing at someone might be considered rude, but using your finger can still be enlightening.

Dave McKay Sep 17th

How to Use the chgrp Command on Linux

The chgrp command on Linux changes the group ownership of a file or directory. Why use it instead of chown ? Sometimes a Swiss Army knife is great, but when you really need a scalpel, only a scalpel will do....

Dave McKay Sep 12th