Unix as a Second Language

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Advice for everyday Unix systems administration and some clever ways to approach more challenging problems.

Using multitail on Linux

Multitail allows you to watch multiple files as they are being updated -- like a split-window tail -f display. Let's check out how you can use it to monitor system activity and your files.

10/16/2019

Viewing files and processes as trees on Linux

A look at three Linux commands - ps, pstree and tree - for viewing files and processes in a tree-like format.

10/09/2019

How the Linux screen tool can save your tasks – and your sanity – if SSH is interrupted

The Linux screen command can be a life-saver when you need to ensure long-running tasks don't get killed when an SSH session is interrupted. Here's how to use it.

09/30/2019

3 quick tips for working with Linux files

Linux provides lots of commands for finding, counting, and renaming files. Here's a look at some useful choices.

09/24/2019

How to remove carriage returns from text files on Linux

When carriage returns (also referred to as Ctrl+M's) get on your nerves, don't fret. There are several easy ways to remove them.

09/18/2019

How to freeze and lock your Linux system (and why you would want to)

What it means to freeze a terminal window and lock a screen -- and how to manage these activities on your Linux system.

09/16/2019

How to use Terminator on Linux to run multiple terminals in one window

Providing an option for multiple GNOME terminals within a single window frame, terminator lets you flexibly align your workspace to suit your needs.

09/09/2019

Opinion

Linux just turned 28, and in that time, it has moved from being an interesting project to what is in many ways the most significant operating system, spawning hundreds of distributions and taking over the field of supercomputing.

08/29/2019

How to rename a group of files on Linux

To rename a group of files with a single command, use the rename command. It requires the use of regular expressions and can tell you what changes will be made before making them.

08/26/2019

A guided tour of Linux file system types

Linux file systems have evolved over the years, and here's a look at file system types

08/20/2019

Keeping track of Linux users: When do they log in and for how long?

Getting an idea how often your users are logging in and how much time they spend on a Linux server is pretty easy with a couple commands and maybe a script or two.

08/15/2019

How to manipulate PDFs on Linux

The pdftk command for Linux systems provides many options for working with PDFs, including merging pages, encrypting files, applying watermarks, compressing files, and even repairing PDFs.

08/08/2019

How to manage logs in Linux

Log files on Linux systems contain a LOT of information — more than you'll ever have time to view. Here are some tips on how you can make use of it without ... drowning in it.

07/30/2019

Getting help for Linux shell built-ins

Linux built-ins are commands that are part of a user’s shell. Sandra Henry-Stocker explains how to recognize them and get help on their use.

07/23/2019

Mastering user groups on Linux

Managing user groups on Linux systems is easy, but the commands can be more flexible than you might be aware.

07/17/2019

Opinion

Will rolling into IBM be the end of Red Hat?

IBM's acquisition of Red Hat is a big deal -- a $34 billion big deal -- and many Linux professionals wonder how it's going to change Red Hat's role in the Linux world. Here are some thoughts.

07/10/2019

Linux a key player in the edge computing revolution

Edge computing is augmenting the role that Linux plays in our day-to-day lives. A conversation with Jaromir Coufal from Red Hat helps to define what the edge has become.

07/09/2019