Testing Linux hardware compatibility with USB sticks
Like everyone else, those of us who use Linux sometimes need to purchase a new computer. Although the days of poor hardware compatibility are long gone, it is still possible to run into issues. Try it out first with USB stick in the store.
How to build rpm packages
Over the years I have created a number of Bash scripts, some of which have separate configuration files, that I like to install on most of my new computers and virtual machines. It reached the point that it took a great deal of time to install all of these packages, so I decided to automate that process by creating an rpm package that I could copy to the target hosts and install all of these files in their proper locations.
Save time and effort installing files and scripts across multiple hosts.
Using ‘grep’ to play a word game
You can use regular expressions to match letters and patterns, to help you play a letter game.
Why it’s important for leaders to mentor and support others
After decades in the tech industry with invaluable mentorship, a seasoned professional is now giving back by mentoring new tech aspirants through DigitalBridge. This nonprofit offers adaptive online training for aspiring tech professionals, breaking barriers in traditional education and creating inclusive opportunities in tech. Additionally, participation in open source communities and events like All Things Open enhances this mentor’s ability to guide and inspire learners into digital careers, embodying a cycle of learning and giving back.
A minimalistic approach to debugging
Originally published in 2016, this interview with Katrina Hayes on Opensource.com details her distinct approach to coding and debugging. A self-taught programmer, Hayes emphasizes simplicity in her tools, preferring minimalist methods. She discusses overcoming challenges in legacy systems, advocating for maintainable code bases to enhance long-term IT sustainability.
Regular Expressions #4: Pulling it all together
This series delves into the practical applications of regular expressions within Linux tools such as grep, sed, and awk, demonstrating how to simplify and optimize command-line tasks. The articles guide readers from basic to more complex uses of regex, emphasizing their usefulness in data stream transformation and text manipulation across various tools and programming languages. Through hands-on examples and resource recommendations, the series aims to enhance the reader’s understanding and proficiency with regex in diverse scenarios.
Regular Expressions #3: grep — Data flow and building blocks
In Regular Expressions #1: Introduction, I covered what they are and why they’re useful. In Regular Expressions #2: An example, we looked at a more complex example of the uses of regular expressions.
In this third of four articles you’ll learn how to make tighter matches with your regexes.
Ansible #3: Finishing our Ansible playbook to manage workstation and server updates
In part two of this series on writing Ansible playbooks, “Ansible #2 How to create an Ansible Playbook,” we examined the task of installing updates for servers and workstations. This playbook is intended to manage updates differently depending on the role the systems play on the network. Last time we created the play designed to install updates on the Ansible hub. This time we add two more plays; one to install updates on the servers and another to install updates on the regular workstations.
Build your own DNS server on Linux
Learn how to use BIND to set up your own server for resolving domain names.
Regular Expressions #2: An example
In the previous article, Regular Expressions #1: Introduction, I covered what they are and why they’re useful.
The example in this article highlights the power and flexibility of the Linux command line, especially regular expressions, for their ability to automate common tasks.
Open source School tools for our adult learners!
Image by: Opensource.com CC-by-SA 4.0 This is an entertaining listicle of what I’ll be covering over the next couple articles but I’m going to ramble...
Regular Expressions #1: Introduction
Regular expressions don’t have to invoke anxiety and fear, although they do for many of us. The function of regular expressions is to provide a highly flexible tool for matching strings of characters in a stream of data. When a match is found, the program’s action can be as simple as to pass the line of data in which it’s found on to STDOUT, or as copmplex as replacing that string with another.
How to upgrade your Fedora Linux system to the latest release with DNF system-upgrade
Article updated 05/20/2024.
Upgrading any operating system to a new release version can be time-consuming and fraught with problems. Fedora 40 was released very recently and I used these easy steps to upgrade all twelve of my home systems. It was easy and all went well.
Ansible #2 How to create an Ansible Playbook
In this introduction to Playbook creation, we examine a play that manages updates for a local Ansible controller machine.
MS-DOS 4.00 released as open source software
Why it’s important that Microsoft released this old version of MS-DOS.