Best of Linux — October 2024

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   It's Foss·2y

   10 Things You Can do on Linux but not on Windows

   Linux offers a range of capabilities not found in Windows, including advanced window tiling, the ability to choose and customize desktop environments, built-in support for programming languages, and widgets. Linux also excels in shell scripting, offers multiple filesystems, supports efficient Docker and containerization, allows system use during updates, and includes robust package management. These features make Linux a versatile and powerful operating system for users who require more customization and control.

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   Article

   Community Picks·2y

   How to See Beautiful Git Project Stats in Your Terminal

   Onefetch is a tool that provides beautiful code stats for git projects directly in your terminal, showcasing ASCII art, language breakdown, contributor info, and more. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows and offers various customization options like hiding ASCII art and changing output fields.

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   Article

   The Register·1y

   Linus Torvalds: 90% of AI marketing is hype so 'I ignore it'

   Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel, considers the majority of marketing around Generative AI to be mostly hype with little substance. While he acknowledges AI's potential to change the world, he remains skeptical about its over-promotion and prefers to wait and see how it will be utilized for real workloads in the next five years. The tech industry, known for overpromising on nascent technologies, has invested heavily in AI startups, but tangible returns remain limited. Other experts also share Torvalds' skepticism about the current state and future of Generative AI.

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   Article

   Community Picks·2y

   I’ve Been Using These 8 Core Linux Commands Wrong for Years

   A seasoned Linux user discusses eight common command-line mistakes and provides efficient alternatives. Highlights include using `ls -A` to hide certain directory shortcuts, performing recursive greps with `grep -r`, creating nested directories with `mkdir -p`, and switching between directories with `cd -`. Additional tips cover copying directories with `cp -a`, extracting `tar.gz` files in a single step, using `cat` with options to view files better, and obtaining concise disk usage statistics using `du --max-depth`.

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   Article

   Lobsters·2y

   Ghostty 1.0 is Coming

   Ghostty 1.0 is set to be publicly released in December 2024 as an open-source project under the MIT license. Aiming to be the best drop-in replacement for current terminal emulators on macOS and Linux, Ghostty focuses on being fast, feature-rich, and platform-native. Developed over two years with extensive private beta testing, it promises high standards-compliance and platform-native GUI. Looking ahead, Ghostty plans to introduce libghostty, enabling developers to build diverse terminal applications effortlessly.

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   Article

   freeCodeCamp·2y

   How to Create Linux Device Drivers

   Linux device drivers facilitate communication between the operating system and hardware. A new hands-on course by freeCodeCamp teaches how to develop these drivers, covering topics from the Linux kernel and system calls to file operations and kernel module management. The course includes practical steps for setting up a development environment and writing a loadable module.

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   Article

   Community Picks·1y

   Learn Bash Scripting in 10 minutes🧙‍♂️🪄

   Learn the basics of bash scripting in just 10 minutes. This guide covers essential commands like mkdir, cd, ls, and touch, demonstrates how to write your first bash script, and explains advanced topics such as variables, positional arguments, piping, input/output redirection, if/else statements, case statements, arrays, for loops, functions, AWK, and SED. Perfect for programmers looking to automate repetitive tasks on Linux or macOS.

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   Article

   Community Picks·2y

   Why Linux Is the Best Place to Learn Coding

   Linux is ideal for learning to code due to its range of free programming tools, familiar environment through WSL for Windows and other OS users, professional development ecosystem, access to open-source code, plentiful documentation, and community support. Using Linux, beginners can benefit from the same tools and environment that professionals use.

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   Article

   DEV·1y

   On Learning Vim

   The author describes their journey of overcoming fear and frustration to learn Vim, moving from VS Code to using Vim keybindings. Initially challenging, the experience improved with persistence, leading to efficient navigation using Vim. They now use Neovim for a personal Go CLI project while avoiding extensive customization, focusing on efficiency with minimal plugins.

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    Article

    It's Foss·2y

    7 Linux Distros I Still Miss in 2024

    Many Linux distributions that once gained popularity have been discontinued over the years. These include Mandrake Linux, known for its user-friendly approach, CrunchBang Linux, which was lightweight and customizable, and Scientific Linux, designed for scientific computing. Other notable mentions are Hannah Montana Linux, aimed at younger users, Pear OS mimicking macOS, Corel Linux competing with Windows and macOS, and Antergos, an easy-to-use Arch Linux variant. Though discontinued, some distributions have successors or communities that keep their spirit alive.

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    Article

    Lobsters·2y

    Talos Linux

    Talos Linux is a minimal, secure, and immutable operating system designed specifically for Kubernetes environments. It supports various platforms including cloud, bare metal, and virtualization. The system is managed entirely via an API, eliminating the need for SSH, shell, or console access. Talos Linux enhances security through mutual TLS authentication, immutable infrastructure, and adherence to best practices set by NIST and CIS. It also ensures predictability and evolvability by providing atomic updates and the latest stable versions of Kubernetes and Linux.

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    Article

    System Weakness·1y

    Turning Your Server into a High-Security Server with a Free WAF

    SafeLine WAF is a powerful web application firewall designed to protect servers from various cyber attacks. It offers dynamic protection, low false positives, and is easy to install with one-click setup. The configuration includes setting up a dedicated server, applying for SSL certificates, and configuring domain bindings to ensure secure traffic filtering. SafeLine WAF also supports dynamic encryption for high-security needs, making it an effective solution for safeguarding web applications.

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    Article

    Hacker News·2y

    Fredolx/open-tv: Ultra-fast, simple and powerful cross-platform IPTV app

    Open TV is a newly rewritten, ultra-fast, cross-platform IPTV app that supports importing channels from various sources, recording while watching, low RAM usage, and remote control UI. The app remains free and open-source despite the developer’s need for support. Installation instructions are provided for multiple operating systems.

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    Article

    The New Stack·2y

    My 5 Favorite Command Line Tools

    Discover five essential command-line tools to boost your productivity: SDKMAN for managing multiple SDKs, eza for an enhanced ls experience, ffmpeg for comprehensive audio and video processing, pueue for managing long-running tasks, and find for efficient file searching and processing. Learn how to install and use each tool with practical examples.

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    Article

    Community Picks·2y

    Distinctions Between Terminal, Command Line, Shell, and Prompt

    Understanding the distinctions between terminal, command line, shell, and prompt can be challenging for newcomers to Linux. The terminal is a graphical interface that runs a shell where commands are executed. The shell processes these commands, while the prompt indicates system readiness for input. The command line is a broader term for an interface where users run commands.

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    Article

    Community Picks·2y

    Kate: A Refreshing Open-Source Code Editor to Replace Boring Options

    Kate, an open-source code editor developed by KDE, offers a robust set of features including syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, and a multi-document interface. Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS, it provides flexible multitasking with split windows and a built-in terminal using Konsole. It is a compelling alternative to popular editors like Visual Studio Code.

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    Article

    Hacker News·2y

    ravachol/kew: A terminal music player for Linux.

    kew is a terminal-based music player for Linux, supporting various audio formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, and more. It allows users to search, play, and manage music libraries directly from the terminal. Kew offers gapless playback, playlist control, and privacy with no data collection. It is available for several Linux distributions and can be installed via package managers or a shell script. Dependencies include FFmpeg, FFTW, and other libraries. The app includes features like customizable key bindings and visualizations, and it is optimized to work well with sixel-capable terminals.

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    Video

    The Linux Cast·2y

    Living in the Terminal

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    Video

    David Bombal·2y

    Hacking ARP with Python and Kali Linux (and capture passwords)

    The post covers how to hack a network using a Python script to perform ARP poisoning, utilizing Kali Linux and Cisco devices. This practical guide is part of a CCNA course, emphasizing the importance of network security and the need for encrypted protocols over clear text ones. ARP poisoning is demonstrated with a Windows computer and how to capture usernames and passwords. It stresses the importance of learning Python for real-world applications and offers an interactive approach to learning through Brilliant.org.

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    Article

    DEV·2y

    Run a Virtual Machine in Your Browser

    Discover how to run a complete virtual machine in your browser using WebAssembly. This guide covers setting up a web application with React.js, configuring the V86 emulator, and booting up FreeDOS or Alpine Linux within your browser. Detailed steps include setting up your web app, installing necessary components, and customizing the emulator for a retro look.

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    Article

    freeCodeCamp·2y

    Hack Your First Machine – A Guide for Aspiring Security Enthusiasts

    This guide helps aspiring cybersecurity enthusiasts hack their first machine using TryHackMe, an online platform offering virtual labs. It explains the necessary steps to set up and utilize both target and attack machines, with tasks broken into platform overview, basic Linux commands, Nmap scanning, brute-force attacks using Hydra, and final feedback. This hands-on lab is accessible for free upon signing up.

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    Video

    Dreams of Code·1y

    This weird keyboard technique has improved the way I type.

    Using home row mods on your keyboard can significantly improve typing efficiency and reduce strain on your hands. This technique enables the use of modifiers like super, alt, shift, and control without leaving the home row. It enhances the developer experience, particularly when using tiling window managers and navigating the terminal. You can set this up through customizable firmware such as QMK/ZMK or software tools like Caner for different operating systems.

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    Article

    Hacker News·2y

    alebeck/boring: The `boring` SSH tunnel manager

    The 'boring' SSH tunnel manager is a simple and reliable command-line tool designed for managing SSH tunnels. It supports both local and remote tunnels, is compatible with SSH config and ssh-agent, and allows automatic reconnection. Configuration is user-friendly via a TOML file, and it supports Unix sockets. Binaries are available for macOS and Linux, or it can be built from source.

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    Article

    Simple Thread·2y

    Beyond Microservices: (Mis)Using Linux Containers for Software Testing

    Containerization is becoming essential for software testing beyond just building microservices. Containers aid in swift test scenario setup, state control, and scalability. The post highlights various patterns, including using containers for unit, feature, and service tests, controlling test state, testing on different runtimes, and simulating hardware environments. Containers provide a flexible and low-overhead solution, enhancing testing efficiency and enabling comprehensive system validation.

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    Community Picks·2y

    Arch Linux Experience - Hyprland

    The post describes the unique customization capabilities of Linux through the use of tiling window managers. It showcases an attempt to install and configure Hyperland on Arch Linux, detailing the challenges faced, such as issues with display scaling, system configurations, and application controls. In the end, the author emphasizes the high-efficiency potential of tiling window managers for users who prefer keyboard shortcuts and rapid workflows.

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