Do I really need to know how to compile the Linux kernel?
Most lists of things we do to learn Linux ignore the bits you don’t really need to do. Here is one I can suggest you...
5 Linux commands you should never run (and why)
Sometimes we run into articles on other sites that we wish we'd written. This one on ZDNET is an excellent example. There are some commands...
Secure electronic document disposal with Linux
We can't be too careful about ensuring that our personal data is safe, both paper documents and electronic ones. I'm sure I don't need to...
Using Python and Ollama on a Linux desktop
Continuing my exploration of using a locally hosted Ollama on my Linux desktop computer, I have been doing a lot of reading and research. Today,...
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 08 — Always use shell scripts
Author’s note: This article is excerpted in part from chapter 9 of my book, The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, with some changes to update the...
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 07 — Automate Everything
SysAdmins are most productive when creating the shell programs that automate the solutions that they have conceived while appearing to be unproductive. The more automation we have in place the more time we have available to fix real problems when they occur and to contemplate how to automate even more than we already have.
Random numbers from the Linux kernel
Let the kernel generate random numbers for you using ‘getrandom.’
Sharing Linux with a friend
I volunteer with Meals on Wheels once a week, and one of the clients on my route is a man my age. We frequently spend...
How to access Rescue mode (runlevel 1) in Linux
I frequently find need to perform maintenance on the filesystem of one of my dozen or so physical computers. Many maintenance tasks require the system to be running the Rescue.target, formerly, runlevel 1. There are two methods you can use to enter Rescue mode.
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 06 — Be the Lazy SysAdmin
I am a lazy SysAdmin. I am also a very productive SysAdmin. Those two seemingly contradictory statements are not mutually exclusive, rather they are complementary in a very positive way. This article is about working hard at the right tasks to optimize our own efficiency. It’s about finding a few of the myriad ways to use the short cuts already built into Linux.
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 05 — Embrace the CLI
Author's note: This article is excerpted in part from chapter 6 of my book, The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, with some changes. The Force is...
Balancing Performance, Compliance, and Cost with Linux and Open-Source Solutions
My recent task involved assisting a healthcare professional in upgrading their computer system. The goal was to provide a more robust solution that offers redundant...
System76’s Cosmic Desktop: A New Era in Linux UX
Last week, System76 unveiled COSMIC, a groundbreaking desktop for Linux computers. This isn't an iteration of Gnome, Cinnamon, XFCE, or KDE. It's a paradigm shift...
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 04 — Use the Linux FHS
The Linux Filesystem Hierarchical Standard (FHS) defines the structure of the Linux directory tree. It names a set of standard directories and designates their purposes.
How to use the base64 command on Linux
The base64 command converts binary data to ASCII data so that it can be transmitted as text. It's a common method of encoding used to...
The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, Tenet 03 — Everything is a File
Author's note: This article is excerpted in part from chapter 5 of my book, The Linux Philosophy for SysAdmins, with some changes. This is one...