Hacking Linux

So you've downloaded a software package with tar.gz or tar.bz2 extension and have no idea what to do with it. Or perhaps you already know that it's most likely the source code of the program you want to install and you have to compile it, but don't know how. Don't worry, compiling and installing software from source in Linux isn't as hard as it may sound! The installation procedure for software that comes in tar.gz and tar.bz2 packages isn't always the same, but usually it's like this: # tar xvzf package.tar.gz (or tar xvjf package.tar.bz2) # cd package # ./configure # make # make install If you're lucky, by issuing these simple commands you unpack, configure, compile, and install the software package and you don't even have to know what you're doing. However, it's healthy to take a closer look at the installation procedure and see what these steps mean. Maybe you've already noticed that the package containing the source code of the progr...

Linux Shortcuts and Commands: Linux Newbie Administrator Guide by Stan and Peter Klimas This is a practical selection of the commands we use most often. Press to see the listing of all available command (on your PATH). On my small home system, it says there are 2595 executables on my PATH. Many of these "commands" can be accessed from your favourite GUI front-end (probably KDE or Gnome) by clicking on the right menu or button. They can all be run from the command line. Programs that require GUI have to be run from a terminal opened under a GUI. Legend: = single special or function key on the keyboard. For example indicates the "control" key. italic = name of the file or variable you probably want to substitute with your own. fixed width = in-line Linux commands and filenames. Notes for the UNIX Clueless: 1. LINUX IS CASE-SENSITIVE. For example: Netscape, NETSCAPE and nEtscape are three different commands. Also my_filE, my_file, and my_FILE are three different files...