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Useful Things

If you haven't already realised there are a tremendous number of programs available for Linux and it is sometimes difficult to find the right one for the job. There are also many tips that make tasks that little bit easier.

The list of programs, commands and tips below is neither extensive nor authoritative but should help you become productive with Linux a little quicker and with less frustration.

This site has a nice table showing Windows software and Linux equivalents - http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html.

Don't expect clones of what you're used to using in Windows, although most of the time the functionality will exist. If you want an exact copy of that quirky e-mail program you love you'll either need to get it working using Wine or write it yourself.

As ever Google is your greatest resource, including Google Linux.

Commands
Terminal based programs
GUI based programs
Useful tips


Commands
Command line instructions - can be used in a terminal window

Command Example Explanation
cat cat filename displays contents of file
cd cd /mnt/floppy changes directory
cp cp filename1 filename2 copies a file
df df -aH displays free disc space - in this example, of all partitions in MB
grep grep "fred" members displays the lines containing fred in file members
kill kill 1234 kills or terminates process no. 1234
less cat filename | less displays content one screen at a time
ls ls ~ lists directory contents - in this example of the home directory
man man ls display manual for the ls command
man -k or apropos man -k tree displays list of occurrences of "tree" in the manual database
mkdir mkdir pics creates a directory with the provided name
mv mv filename1 filename2 moves or renames a file - use with caution
ps ps -A displays list of running processes - in this example all of them
pwd pwd displays the name of the current directory
rm rm filename deletes files - use with caution
rmdir rmdir directory deletes directories - use wih caution
tar zxvf tar zxvf mozilla.tar.gz uncompresses .tar.gz or .tgz archives.
tar jxvf tar jxvf mozilla.tar.bz2 uncompresses .tar.bz2 archives
top top displays a dynamic list of processes in order of CPU usage
| (pipe) ps -A | grep java directs the output of one command through a second command
> ps -A > ps.out directs the output of a command to a file

Most commands have options - what they are and their function can be found using the man command.

By combining various commands and options it is possible to perform quite complex tasks. Further information on commands and how to use them can be found on the following sites: http://www.linuxcommand.org/index.php and http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/cli.html


Programs
Terminal (used from a command prompt)

mc (midnight commander) - a copy of Norton Commander file manager. Useful for file manipulation - copying, moving, editing, changing permissions.


Figure 1. mc file manager

F3 - view F4 - edit F5 - copy
F6 - move F8 - delete F9 - pull down menus
+ - select all files - - deselect all files  
Enter - execute command, enter directory, execute file
up arrow, down arrow, page up, page down, home, end keys - navigate within a directory
Tab - move between panes
alt+h - history of commands
alt+Enter - copy selected filename to command line (useful if filename is long)

mcedit - link to the editor from mc


Programs
GUI (used within GNOME or KDE)

Audacity - sound file editor

Figure 2. Audacity sound file editor

The GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program, an excellent graphics editing package


Figure 3. The GIMP graphics editor

GKrellM - system monitors for CPU usage & temperature, voltages, network activity, etc.

Figure 4. GKrellM system monitors

XMMS - X Multimedia System for playing (mainly) sound files


Figure 5. XMMS multimedia system


Useful Tips

Copy and paste

Copy and paste in many situations by highlighting the text to copy and then centre clicking where you want to paste to (simultaneously left and right click if you only have a two button mouse). Be careful to not left click anywhere as this cancels the highlighting if on the same page.