What Is Swappiness on Linux? (and How to Change It)
The Linux swappiness value has nothing to do with how much RAM is used before swapping starts. That’s a widely reported and widely believed mistake. We explain what it really is.
How to Use the dmesg Command on Linux
The dmesg command lets you peer into the hidden world of the Linux startup processes. Review and monitor hardware device and driver messages from the kernel’s own ring buffer with “the fault finder’s friend...
How to Use the ls Command to List Files and Directories on Linux
We use the Linux ls command every day without thinking about it. That’s a pity. Pay it some attention, and you’ll find many useful options—including some you should add to your command-line arsenal....
How to Change User Data With chfn and usermod on Linux
There’s more to a user account than a user name. Learn how to set and change all the metadata associated with a Linux user account from the command line.
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...
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.
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.
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....
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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....
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....
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....
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!
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...
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.
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....
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...
