How to Kill Processes From the Linux Terminal
Killing a process is sometimes the only way to get rid of it. Despite the harsh name, “killing” a process just means “forcing it to quit.” Here’s how to do it from the Linux or macOS command line...
Windows 10 Is Getting a Built-in Linux Kernel
Microsoft today announced Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2—that’s WSL 2. It will feature “dramatic file system performance increases” and support for Docker. To make all this possible, Windows 10 ...
37 Important Linux Commands You Should Know
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 Use the FTP Command on Linux
The File Transfer Protocol is older than most of our readers, but it’s still going strong. FTP doesn’t have the security of a modern protocol, but you may need to use it anyway. Here’s how to do it....
How to Reboot or Shut Down Linux Using the Command Line
Feel like starting over? This tutorial will show you how to cleanly and safely reboot or shut down your Linux or macOS computer from the command line.
How to Set Process Priorities With nice and renice on Linux
The nice and renice commands let you fine-tune how the kernel treats your processes by adjusting their priorities. Read this tutorial to learn how to use them in Linux and Unix-like operating systems such as macOS....
How to Copy Files Using the “install” Command on Linux
install is a versatile file-copying command in Linux and macOS. It’s perfect for the power-user looking for efficiency. Read this article to discover how to work smarter—not harder.
What’s New in Ubuntu 19.04 “Disco Dingo,” Available Now
Ubuntu 19.04 is available for download today. With Linux 5.0 and GNOME 3.32, Disco Dingo boasts performance improvements and visual tweaks. Whether or not you upgrade, Disco Dingo lays the groundwork for future long term supp...
How to Exit the Vi or Vim Editor
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 sy...
How to Change the Default crontab Editor
Want to have crontab use the editor of your choice instead of the other way around? This tutorial shows you how. These instructions will work with Linux, macOS and other Unix-like operating systems.
How to Compare Two Text Files in the Linux Terminal
Need to see the differences between two revisions of a text file? Then diff is the command you need. This tutorial shows you how to use diff on Linux and macOS, the easy way.
How to Pause a Bash Script With the Linux Sleep Command
The sleep command makes your Linux computer do nothing. Counter-intuitive perhaps, but a period of inactivity is sometimes just what’s needed. This article shows you how to use this Bash shell command effectively....
How to Display the Date and Time in the Linux Terminal (and Use It In Bash Scripts)
The date command is found in the Bash shell, which is the default shell in most Linux distributions and even macOS. This tutorial shows you how to master date on the command line and how you can use it in shell scripts to do...
How to Determine the Current User Account in Linux
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....
How to Extract Files From a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2 File on Linux
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 o...
How to View Free Disk Space and Disk Usage From the Linux Terminal
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 s...
How to Delete Files and Directories in the Linux Terminal
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...
How to Scrape a List of Topics from a Subreddit Using Bash
Reddit offers JSON feeds for each subreddit. Here’s how to create a Bash script that downloads and parses a list of posts from any subreddit you like. This is just one thing you can do with Reddit’s JSON feeds....
How to Perform a Task When a New File is Added to a Directory in Linux
This tutorial will show you how to use Linux filesystem events (notify) to get notified every time a file appears in a directory. You could use these as triggers to automate common tasks on your system....
Linux 5.0 “Shy Crocodile” Arrives With Google’s Adiantum Encryption
Linus Torvalds just released version 5.0 of the Linux kernel, codenamed “Shy Crocodile”. Linux 5.0 includes Google’s new encryption tech as well as support for AMD FreeSync, Raspberry Pi touch screens, and m...
How to Get Your System’s Geographic Location From a Bash Script
You can find the geographic location of a remote Linux system using open APIs and a simple bash script. Geolocating a server could help you track it in the physical world, ensuring servers are located in regional hotspots....
Windows 10 Will Finally Offer Easy Access to Linux Files
Windows 10’s April 2019 Update brings a long-awaited feature: Support for easily accessing, viewing, and even modifying Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) files from File Explorer or via the command line....
Linux’s GNOME Shell 3.32 Will Bring Major Speed Improvements
GNOME Shell 3.32 is set for release on March 13, 2019. This new release brings some real performance improvements, making this heavy Linux desktop environment more lightweight. GNOME Shell is used by default on Ubuntu and ma...
The Future of Software on Windows: What is an MSIX File?
A file with the .msix extension is a Windows application installer. Microsoft recently introduced MSIX as an alternative to EXE, MSI, and even AppX packages. Exercise caution and ensure you trust an MSIX file’s sourc...
How To Download Torrents on a Chromebook
Torrents get a bad rap, but there are plenty of legitimate and legal reasons for downloading them. While you can’t use BitTorrent itself on a Chromebook, there are some great alternatives available.
