I wrote a free book about the Unix terminal

On Christmas 2019 I published on Leanpub a free book, "Beginner's Guide to the Unix Terminal". The book is not complete, but there are enough chapters to be a useful introduction to anyone doesn't know anything about the Unix command line and wants to learn.

The book is structured as a series of short lessons that can be read in 20-30 minutes (including exercises).

You can find it here: https://leanpub.com/beginners-guide-to-the-unix-terminal

The book is free, but if you want to contribute I will definitely appreciate the help. I know there are many resources available for beginners but I think it is always useful to try to give another take on the subject.

I hope you will enjoy the book! Please spread the news on your favourite social network.

https://leanpub.com/beginners-guide-to-the-unix-terminal

https://redd.it/eff2h5
@r_linux

PowerPC Laptop needs help! Support an Open Hardware Laptop!
https://www.powerpc-notebook.org/campaigns/donation-campaign-for-pcb-design-of-the-powerpc-notebook-motherboard/

https://redd.it/efeuve
@r_linux

Guix Packaging by Example
https://medium.com/@JethroCao/guix-packaging-by-example-6e44ba693fb2?source=friends_link&sk=0ba75dedbaf2a7607c97743ee047d16e

https://redd.it/efgj53
@r_linux

How does password manager rechecks the password as salt value is random?

I am relatively new to LINUX, so I am having trouble understanding one concept related to pass in LINUX.

I learnt that UNIX stores my passwords by hashing it, and storing along with the randomly generated salt value.

\`Salt value is nothing but a random data that's generated to combine with the original password, inorder to increase the strength of the hash. \`

So now lets say I want to login again using my password, the manager calculates the hash but from where will it bring the same salt for checking the result with the password database?

https://redd.it/efg8uz
@r_linux

Looking for distribution with Mac-like enviroment

Hi guys! I am using Ubuntu right now but I want to switch to a new distribution because I think I am over it. I enjoy using gnome but it's all buggy. Multiple desktops, touchpad gestures, activities, dock and top bar. I customized it and it seems a bit like MacOS.
I am looking for new distr but I am not sure what DE I can use instead of gnome which would keep these features. For example I tried Mint with Cinnamon and it looks too much like Windows, I cant use activities and switch desktops etc. Manjaro looks cool but I am not sure if I am ready to switch from debian based.


Thank you for your advice!

https://redd.it/effjsr
@r_linux

KIOFuse Beta (4.9.0) Released
https://feverfew.home.blog/2019/12/24/kiofuse-beta-4-9-0-released/

https://redd.it/efiril
@r_linux

Best Linux Distribution for a low end laptop?

I'm new to Linux so I don't want anything too complicated. So, I got a HP stream 14 for Christmas, a pretty low-end laptop and windows 10 alone already takes up 40% if the hard-drive

The specs are: 64-bit Intel Celeron n4000 processor, 4gb ddr4 ram, and a 57 gb hard-drive.

https://redd.it/efiz7n
@r_linux

The 2019 Matrix Holiday Update!
https://matrix.org/blog/2019/12/24/the-2019-matrix-holiday-update

https://redd.it/efkuqk
@r_linux

Invisible Arch Linux - Encrypted system using detached LUKS header with air gapped install.
https://habd.as/post/invisible-arch-linux/

https://redd.it/eflbir
@r_linux

Show me your neofetch

I'm in the process of switching from Windows to Linux (at long last) and I wanna get some inspiration from fellow Linux users on what WM/theme/font/etc they're running. I know, I know; I should get the thing I'm most comfortable with, but like I said, just some inspiration ;)

https://redd.it/efllxz
@r_linux

[REQUEST] a short write up on kernel development for newbie kernel developers

I’d like to learn how to write code for the Linux kernel, but I can’t find any straightforward books on kernel development, could someone do a write up on developing for the Linux kernel, with notes on the different parts of the kernel? Something short and to the point

My goal is to learn the Linux kernel in and out and distribute atleast one patch with comments for newbies, someone else can do it

I like to believe we’ll documented source code is a godsend

https://redd.it/efo0cj
@r_linux

Slackware is creating a secure, full featured, bloat-free Linux-based operating system
https://www.patreon.com/slackwarelinux/overview

https://redd.it/efoz0o
@r_linux

Encryption for cloud storage: how stable is CryFS?

I will soon bid farewell to Windows and transition to Linux, so I am looking for replacements for everything I am currently using. On the encryption side, I am tempted to keep using Cryptomator as it's been serving me well in conjunction with Google Drive, but I was reading about CryFS and I really like how they hide metadata as well.

[https://www.cryfs.org/comparison/](https://www.cryfs.org/comparison/)

But it has a weak point.

>The current version is not considered stable yet by the developers and if you decide to use it, regular backups are strongly recommended. It has gotten quite a bit more stable recently though and is successfully used in a lot of settings already.

If you have been using it, can you report on its stability? What about Cryptomator on Linux, is it working well?

Thanks in advance.

https://redd.it/efpee4
@r_linux

The all-new Feren OS is finally here.
https://medium.com/feren-os/the-all-new-feren-os-is-finally-here-5bf3003e89ee

https://redd.it/efnv2e
@r_linux

KIOFuse Beta (4.9.0) Released
https://feverfew.home.blog/2019/12/24/kiofuse-beta-4-9-0-released/

https://redd.it/ef70wz
@r_linux

The 2 Problems Facing Linux (and Open Source) in 2020 | Bryan Lunduke
https://www.patreon.com/posts/2-problems-linux-32306856

https://redd.it/efsp3t
@r_linux

digiKam 7.0.0-beta1 is released

​

https://preview.redd.it/shlnccakay641.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=8ecf2704cf39c85ea87e7279cdb42502ab064ce5

[https://www.digikam.org/news/2019-12-22-7.0.0-beta1\_release\_announcement/](https://www.digikam.org/news/2019-12-22-7.0.0-beta1_release_announcement/)

https://redd.it/eftp9p
@r_linux

how the socket works?

how does a socket works in Linux , and their strengths/weaknesses? any Suggestions, great people or blogs or open source projects?

https://redd.it/efv1eu
@r_linux

I really want to use Linux.

The purpose of this post is for you to help convince me to stick with Linux. And a warning: I am a computer newbie, so I apologize if I say something that looks silly...I don't know all of the terminology.

I hate almost everything about Windows 10: from its sluggish feeling to the spyware and apps just randomly installing themselves, I really can't stand Windows 10. This is why I have been giving different Linux distros a try lately (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Manjaro, Elementary). But, I end up reinstalling Windows for two main reasons:

1. Things seem to be built for Windows: Here's a prime example - in order to install Linux, I have to switch the SATA configuration in BIOS from Intel RST with Intel Optane to AHCI. Through my research, Intel RST seems to be much faster and saves battery (although there is some debate about this since I have just one SSD drive). Another example: of all the distros I have tried, I seem to like Fedora the most. However, I kept getting a GPU driver failure and that's when I learned that I could either install proprietary drivers (which seems to go against everything Fedora stands for) or I could just go with it (the system report errors say it's not significant enough to report). This is an issue for me because I need things to work optimally: I'm a school administrator and a doctoral student and I just can't afford to spend time trying to fix these things. I need things to just work and they seem to do just that in Windows.
2. I have to use Office until I'm finished with my dissertation (a few more months). I know that I can just install Wine (I've been using Crossover and this works great), but it is not optimal. If you can't tell, I'm somewhat of a minmaxer and try to get the optimal performance wherever I can. Whenever I use Crossover, I get random messages that my work could not be saved because I need to update my account (even though I have a paid Office 365 subnoscription).

I love Linux and want so badly for it to be my daily driver. I guess if I could understand Intel RST vs. AHCI and hardware compatibility a little more, I would be completely confident in making the switch.

Any advice?

https://redd.it/efvsid
@r_linux

When did Linux first become common for use in embedded systems?

I'm guessing the late '90s but I could be way off.

Interesting trend from 2004:

https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=embedded%20linux

https://redd.it/efwx28
@r_linux

A workaround for Google Chrome high CPU usage in background. (Ubuntu, Fedora)

I conducted a simple test which shows that Google Chrome disregards window focus changes.

**Prepare**

1. In tab 1 open a page that uses significant resources (RAM, CPU). A high resolution YouTube video is a good example.
2. In tab 2 open an empty tab
3. Open any system monitor like HTOP
4. Open an empty workspace/desktop.

​

**Case1**.

1. Focus on YouTube page, let the video play (tab 1).
2. Switch focus to the empty desktop/workspace (chrome should not be visible).
3. Observe that there is no significant change in CPU consumption. In my case it's 50-60%.

​

**Case2**

1. Focus on YouTube page, let the video play (tab 1).
2. Switch focus to the empty page in Chrome (tab 2).
3. Switch focus to the empty desktop/workspace (chrome should not be visible).
4. Observe hat CPU usage is significantly reduced almost instantly. In my case it's 10-20%.

I could reproduce this test on Fedora 30, Ubuntu 18 and 19 all running Gnome.

​

**So what ?**

This has one important implication for users who like to play music in the background via YouTube. If high CPU usage bothers you, you need to be sure that you don't leave Chrome on a resource intensive webpage before switching to another application. If you have a fast hardware you might not even see significant difference in CPU usage between the two cases.

I have tried the same test on OSX and could not reproduce it there. I assume that it is related to this issue [https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=821820](https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=821820). Provided that it's not likely to be fixed soon, it's probably a good idea to have an extension (in Chrome or Gnome) that somehow fixes this.

https://redd.it/efyr9x
@r_linux