Entries from MediaBin tagged with 'linux'
Ghostscript, GSview
What is Ghostscript? Why use Ghostscript? = It is free and an open suite of software for making, printing, displaying, and sharing the Portable Document Format (PDF) and PostScript (page description) languages. = If you "truly want" your writing to...
Firefox Release 3
Web Browers: Firefox = Highly highly recommended, your number one way, to stay very secure on the Internet, 'nough said. Welcome to the Cutting Edge The Web is all about innovation, and Firefox 3 sets the pace with dozens of...
Cygwin: Linux on Windows
= Well, you cannot run Linux on Windows with Cygwin. Though, Cygwin is "how to run" a large amount of Linux apps, tools, GUI Apps, and utilitiles on Windows, inside Windows. • Google Cygwin. You'll learn a lot. No point,...
RSS Feeds & Blogbridge
Tracking your feeds, checking, then reading the lists of titles - takes a lot of time. Blogbridge helps you manage the mess and organize. BlogBridge is for true info-junkies who want a better way to wrangle all their RSS feeds...
Blender!!!
Can you tell? I'm excited. Blender is a fantastic 3D application. The U-I takes a bit of training. However, it has changed a lot, since when. It was a commercial product. (User Interface) Yes, it was a commercial App, before...
Azureus: Peer-to-Peer
First, I want to clear something up. Everyone sees the word peer-to-peer and assumes. It must be illegal or something? It is not. It is "what someone" users it for. There are several perfectly good reasons, to share files, and...
WAV File Editor
Audacity, no not the word! It is a priceless Windows & Linux sound editor and free, also. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other...
Functional Language: DrScheme
Interested in knowing more, than just "Directing a traffic cop?" Learn a Functional Language. The only way to program. DrScheme from (originally) Rice University - Houston, Texas. Lots of features, all free, even several books - free to print and...
Plug-ins And Extensions
The tag list in MediaBin is large enough. I don't like to add more tags, without a good reason. The "plugs tag" is such a case. My Definition: An object facilitating a connection between two devices, or as in this...
Abiword
Looking for an interesting Word Processor. Don't want to buy MS Office? Perhaps, not interested in OpenOffice.org? Looking for interesting plug-ins? Look no further - Abiword = AbiWord Highlights AbiWord is rapidly becoming a state of the art Word Processor,...
Multiple Monitor Madness
Link 1: Does More Than One Monitor Improve Productivity? Link 2: Dual Monitors: The Big Screen Display Productivity Paradox Link 3:The Virtues of a Second Screen The comments on Lifehacker are why. I included the Link 2. My Opinion,...
Tryout KDE4 Live CD
The Debian people have done it again. Want to see the newest KDE4 XWindows system, on a live Debian CD? The Debian KDE Maintainers website. = I'm going to try it out, this weekend. Glen...
Joseph Wu's: Happy Viming
= Several interesting vim command solutions. = Change all uppercase letters to lower. = Join all (nearby) lines of a paragraph, to one lined paragraph. = Go to last edit. Go to last edit: { g; } <help g;> <help...
Firewall?
What is a firewall, anyway? Unfortunately, the word firewall has become rather abused. It has passed from a general term of computer networking to an expression. So, what is wrong with that? Maybe not too much. However, it has become...
Firewall Protection
One of my friends, is directly connected to his DSL modem. Why is that a bad thing? So, what should he do? I told him, go out, and buy a hub. Why get another router/switch? = Quick answer: It makes...
File Handling
We all have our favorite applications. Each application "usually" connects to a specific file extension? However? Should you let your application & it's (Windows-specific) install program, be the only way to manage your data files? Plus, some file types, such...
Debian Problems
Using apt-get is the nicest thing about Debian. I'll run it daily for updates, security, and just to see how active it is. Sometimes though, something will stop working on your Debian system. What to do? For instance, my Evolution...
Easiest Clipboard
If you use Linux? This isn't new to you. However, if you're on Windows? You'll be mad at Microsoft, after I tell you about this. Clipboard operation in Windows have been: Ctrl-c, Ctrl-v, (and occasionally) Ctrl-x; for over a decade....
Using Konqueror
It is KDE's in-built file manager application - konqueror. If only Microsoft could make explorer match it? Then, I would have a reason to upgrade to Vista. = There are times, handling files visually is easier than textually. Yet, I...
FreeBSD Again
Guess what, those BSD folks don't disappoint. They have just released release 6.1, amazing. = I really have to setup a machine with it & see how it runs, now. New Release Updates. If you have equipment, that wasn't supported...
Vim Version 7
A new release of Vim is out now. Yep, a new release of VIM interesting. Although, the headaches for every SysAdmin to switch their current installs to the new release, rather perplexing. Personally, I hate pulling an old release out,...
Making Thumbnails
Ever had a situation you need to convert 100 pcitures from JPG to PNG? Image Magick to the rescue. First, you will need it installed on your Linux system. Most have it installed, by default. However, how do you access...
Simplest Graph
So, here goes. Do you have it installed? Does gnuplot start it? Then, you are ready for your first graph. = So, you have entered Gnuplot. You'll see just a bash-like console screen. Of course, you need to be running...
Which Version Gnuplot
Are you running version 3.x or 4.0? Why should you care? = Essentially, version 4.0 is the newest and best release, and it is free. So, you should simply use it. There are several commands and features, not in the...
Behind Nullx & Thinking Unix
The sister blog Behind Nullx will contain the posts on interfaces to Gnuplot. So, you'll see I'm switching to a new theme, for blogging on. I'll use Behind Nullx for the XEmacs-related posts for Gnuplot training. Where as, Thinking Unix...
Gnuplot Home
First, let's get it straight. Gnuplot's name is not related to Gnu or a Gnu-plotter program. The home page has a slightly unusual URL, here it is. If you're interested, check out this link. Gnuplot was licensed under the FSF....
Switching to Graphics
You'll notice, this blog is changing a bit. I'm going to work in a different direction. Instead of just broad Unix issues & such. I'm going to cover mostly using Gnuplot. So, besides, all the introductory things, running through tutorials,...
Learning Bash
If you are starting or interested in polishing your 'bash' skills. Here are some pointers. A useful bash / Linux Beginner's Handbook. Plus, the many tools of Unix & deeper things. Some of my common commands on new systems. alias...
GIMP
Have you heard of GIMP? Are you afraid of the GIMP? You shouldn't be. • GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is the Photoshop for Linux. However, it runs on Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, and is...
The Only Way to PostScript
How to draw nice drawings? Why use PostScript? Well, if you didn't know. It is the most powerful graphics language in the world. = Yes, believe it or not, some people actually write in PS by hand. I never have...
Complex Grammar
Do you know, which Unix command has the most intricate grammar? Here is a hint. Which command do most Newbies stay away from? Answer: The find command. It's name is quite correct and works everywhere. However, most people never fully...
Type Help
Here is a question. Have you tried entering "help" at the bash shell prompt? = Yep, you guessed it, something happens. You'll get a screen listing the bash options and grammar of the following bash commands. = If you need...
FTP, gftp, ncftp, or
Which FTP is for me? = I don't prefer to use FTP. However, there are several times, you just have to. It is kind of like running around the house at midnight in little or no attire. If someone will...
Create a Scratchpad
Here is something, I think so many OS Architects have missed. The idea of having a "plain text" scratch pad, open at all times. First, some basic features, it needs for common use. Works fine with clipboard. So, cut, copy,...
Permuting Chmod
File permissions, wonderful things. Usually, unless you're the Sys Admin, not much fun. However, even as a user, it is important to understand them. = chmod - change mode - change file access permissions. There are three basic groups and...
Where Are The Tools?
What to investigate, what is your Linux / FreeBSD Distro? (1) echo your PATH. (echo $PATH) (2) move around your PATH. (3) use "ls" and look at the executables listed. (Just what they are? Although, some are occasionally shell scripts.)...
Shell Script Placement
Once, you start using Linux and building your own applications / shell scripts. Where should you place the shell script? = An example: Let's say you have a directory full of your personal text files. (What you type in? If...
Cat to Create a File
Well, sure, usually I use an editor to create a file. However, did you know "cat" can do this, as well? = Here is how to do it. = Think of your filename. Type the command below and enter. Type...
Debian and Solaris
Who would of thought - this would ever happen? Proprietary Operating Systems becoming free, mixing with Open Source OSes, someone else re-building it, cats and dogs, and all for free. = It's the Nexenta Operating System. A combination of the...
Pbm: Broken MySQL Daemon
Here is some insight into the life of your average SysAdmin. About a week ago, installing a new package, MySQL broke on my Debian system, from starting at system boot. • Error Message: You can't create a socket for mysqld....
Careful Deleting
The number one mistake any Linux user makes, is? Using the rm (remove) command incorrectly. Consequence, your files are gone. Linux does not have an undelete command. • So, I admonish you to be very careful using the rm command....
Check for Links
If you don't know what a link is? You should stop, google it, grab a starting Linux book, and make sure. You thoroughly understand it. = I'll try to briefly explain a link here. However, don't consider this the end...
Disk Free
Do you check your disk free space? Are you aware of the command? You should be. • The df command reports the space available, used, and free of all the partitions you have access to (or not). It is always...
Scan for Security
Have you heard of Nessus? If you haven't? You better read up on it. First, it is free and open. Second, this is security. You should know. You need to know. Third, did I mention. It doesn't cost a grand,...
Bluefish for HTML
If you love working with pure HTML and want the best editor for it? I have seen. You have got to try Bluefish. The Web Site Byline Bluefish is a powerful editor for experienced web designers and programmers. Bluefish supports...
More or Less
What is more? It is a way to "break pages" of a long listing. (Commonly, you'll run, "ls -ltr | more." So, why care about less? Because, there are many circumstances, where less is far more useful. I've already discussed...
Mozilla Keyboarding
Here is a link for the keyboard shortcuts of Mozilla and other web browsers. Click Here: Mozilla.org Site Glen...
Diff and Meld
How do you see difference between two versions, of the same file? = The classic Linux person would use diff. There is also a cmp for binary files, also capable. (Where as, the diff won't work on binary.) However, if...
Describing Workflow
Here is an interesting web site, though not too large. The author talks about "tools" he uses with Linux to keep himself productive and how they are setup. Here is the main link, if you like - I recommend you...
Using "sed"
Ever wanted to automate doing search and replace? Don't have the time to write a quicky C or Perl program to do it. Use sed. Sed stands for the Streaming editor. It actually works on a line by line basis....
Reading Documentation - Part 2
Is there a better documentation resource on Linux? Yes. The "info pages" are more informative and usually have some examples. Plus, they are aimed at "telling more" information to new users. info bash; info ls; info sed Glen...
Reading Documentation - Part 1
Reading the man pages. Why do it? Well, sometimes it is actually useful. Personally, I don't find man pages productive for learning a new Unix tool. I think the real unspoken truth is they are about "helping experts" remember. What...
grep or egrep
After all, one grep is the same as another. Right? • Actually, no they aren't. There are all kinds of greps. Here is the list. grep (plain) egrep (extended) fgrep (fast) agrep (approximate patterns) ngrep (network) zgrep zipgrep (zips) pgrep...
Command Completion
I don't know about you? However, once you become a bash user, and discover the history feature. You'll get hooked on it. What to do, if your bash session doesn't have the keyboard setup right? Usually, on my Linux system,...
Text Editors
Why use a text editor? Well, if you have to ask this. Perhaps, you shouldn't be reading this blog? Anyhow • Linux has so many free applications. The area of text editors is an excellant example of this. First, they...
Linux Forums
How to read up on things, about Linux, installing Linux, picking which Linux distro. Or check issues out. Plus, find people with the same interests. Why check out the Linux Forums, of course. Glen...
Best Network Tool
Are you still using FTP or Telnet? = Stop. At least with your own private systems or "even Internet hosting" web sites. If you value privacy and "common security?" Don't use Telnet. Why? Because, everything is transmitted in plain text....
Best bash secret
Have you ever, wanted to "save a listing" from some piped command line expression, on your screen, and without putting it into a file? Then, use xless. This is presuming, you are running Linux from an X-console, of course. (1)...
Purpose of This Blog
The purpose of this blog is - Thinking Unix is a blog about applying Linux and other Open Source Unices. • Hopefully, I'll provide some new insights to doing many things, for everyone. Otherwise, for you "already know it" folks....
New Logo
What is Logo? Great way to learn starting programming. Recommended for your kids, even. They just came out with a new NetLogo at NorthWestern University. (This is free software, too.) Check it out - NetLogo. Glen...
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