Clyde E. Boom asked:




Overview of The Linux pwd Command

The Linux pwd command name stands for path to working directory,which is the directory that you’re currently working “in”.

The Linux command prompt for some Linux distributions shows the current name of the directory that you are currently in – but some don’t.

Also, by default the command line prompt for some Linux distributions doesn’t show the full path to your current directory.

This is where the Linux pwd command comes in handy. Any time you need to see the name of your active directory, as well as the full directory path to it, you just type in pwd (in lower case letters) and press Enter.

Examples of Using the Linux pwd Command To See Your Full Directory Path

Below are examples of using pwd command see your current and full directory path.

Use the cd command to change into the /usr/share/man directory path.

$ cd /usr/share/man

Now type in pwd and press Enter to see your full path and your current directory will appear at the right of the output of the command.

You can use the ~ (tilde) with the cd command to change into the home directory of your current user.

On most Linux distributions, each user has a username and that username is used as the name of the “home” directory of the user.

The home directories for Linux users are typically located below the path of /home.

If there are 23 Linux users on a system, then there will be 23 directories below /home.

Now use the ~ (tilde) to change into your home directory (as shown below) and then run the pwd command again to see the full path to your home directory. Is it below the path of /home?

$ cd ~

For your Linux distribution, your command prompt may not show the full path to your home directory, just the ~ symbol to represent the home directory.

Now change into the path of /home (as shown below) and then list the directories below your current directory (path).

$ cd /home

$ ls -l

How many Linux users are there “set up” on your system?

Now run “cd ~” again to change back to your home directory and then run the command to see your current full path.

The Linux concepts and commands here apply to ALL Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, SUSE, Red Hat, Fedora, openSUSE, Debian and Slackware Linux.

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Arlene Mason asked:




The first thing that you will notice about Linux Red Hat (using the Gnome Interface) is that it looks a lot like Windows 95/98/NT. But that’s where the similarity ends. Linux requires a whole new set of commands as well as a new way of thinking about things.

For instance, in Windows 95/98 you can adjust monitor or screen properties by just a few key strokes. With Linux, however, in order to adjust the monitor settings, you have to run a program called Xconfigurator. And there is no information anywhere as to how to do this. It is one of these secret things that Linux users don’t worry about because “everyone knows how to do it”. Those of us changing from Windows to Linux have a need to know these things.

Let me tell you the secret: You have to be logged in as “Root” then you exit to the terminal. Now this looks like a DOS shell, so Windows users don’t get too confused. Then at the # prompt type in Xconfigurator. Then you are taken to a configuration program that requires you know a lot about your monitor and your video card. Most of that information is found in the users manual for the hardware, or from the manufacturer. You will need to know the name, model number and manufacturer of the video card and the monitor and you will need to know the refresh rate and vertical and horizontal frequency of the monitor. Be sure that you have this information before you start. After that, you just fill out the form and follow the instructions, it’s that simple from there on.

Another well kept secret is that you need to exit to the terminal in order to run any program that does not have an icon on the desktop. That’s anything that doesn’t specifically come with Red Hat. Some programs will set themselves up with an icon if they are installed in the right desktop interface. Linux has several different desktop interfaces, which is really cool. Gnome is a very Windows like one. The only draw back to Gnome is that some programs like StarOffice won’t put an icon on the Gnome interface. So the user gets to do it.

The first thing you need to do is find the executable file for StarOffice, this would be a file called “soffice”. The best way to find it is to use the File Manager to locate it. Then make a note of the path and go to Panel and then New Launcher.

Type in the name of the program, e.g. Star Office in the Name field. Then in Comment field put in the text that will appear when the mouse hovers on the icon. Next in Command field type the full path to the program, e.g. /home/jerry/Office51/bin/soffice. Last, choose an icon by clicking on the “No Icon Button”, or leave it with no icon. Click on OK and the icon appears on your panel (which resembles the taskbar in Windows).

Linux is not as hard as it would appear at first. Although, they try to tell you that it’s really easy, that’s not entirely true either. If you know Unix, it’s easy. If you know Windows, it’s a little hard at first, but then it makes sense. If you are new to computers then Linux is a good program to learn first, because it is so configurable and versatile. There is no end to the possibilities with Linux.

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Justin Knights asked:




The 2 major types of web hosting are the Linux and the Windows hosting. As we all know, Windows is a Microsoft product. So, getting a hosting with Windows hosting requires a license with Microsoft. This makes the price slightly higher. So, the question on which hosting plan is better? Let us make a comparison here.

The Windows operating system is the most used operating system in the world. It is said that 95% of all PCs uses it. Therefore, they are the dominant force and people looking for a host will be more likely to go for Windows.

On the other hand, Linux hosting is more superior because it is made by securityspace.com. According to surveys, Linux has an advantage over Windows. Therefore, most users who are using it ace no problems at all. But this does not mean that Windows are no good. They are actually better than Linux in a few areas.

For instance, the Linux system does not have the ASP.NET technology that comes with the .NET. it is only available in the Windows system. Another issue is the access to the MySQL database that is only available with Windows. You can also use other Microsoft applications like Sharepoints and Frontpage 2003 together with the hosting plan.

Nevertheless, the Linux system is good for users to build a very good website. It allows you to run your website with Apache, MySQL and PHP. The infrastructure that you can build is very solid. Also, the PHP is much more efficient when compared to Windows server. The price of a Linux hosting is also an added value because it will cost 20% less than Windows hosting plan.

Both hosting plans are well developed a can be used to build a successful website. You just need to know what your preferences are and you can decide which one to go for.

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Clyde E. Boom asked:




The more and less commands can be used with the | (verical bar or “pipe” symbol) to pause the output of a Linux command.

Example of Using the Linux more Command

The more command can pause the output of a command, but it doesn’t work as well..

For example, you can’t scroll up in the output of a Linux command with the more command – or search for text in the output of a command.

Run the following command to list the contents of the etc directory, which is off of the / (root) directory – and to see the output “scroll off the top of the screen”.

$ ls -l /etc

Now run the following command example to pause the output of the ls command so that it doesn’t “scroll off the top of the screen”.

Be sure to type in the | (vertical bar) between /etc and more.

$ ls -l /etc | moreLinux Commands Training Tips:

The vertical bar “|” symbol is usually below the Backspace key on your keyboard and is referred to as the “pipe” symbol. It is used to “pipe” the output of one command into another command. In this case, you are “piping” the output of the less command to the more command.

Press the Spacebar a few times to scroll down a “screenful”.

Press the up arrow key and then the Page Up key and see that you can’t scroll up.

Press q to quit out of the Linux more command.

Example of Using the Linux less Command

Now run the less command example below to pause the output of the ls command.

Make sure you type in the | (vertical bar) between /etc and less.

$ ls -l /etc | less

This shows the first “page” or “screenful” of the file.

Press the Spacebar to see the next “screen” of output.

Now press the down arrow key a few times, then the up arrow, then press the Page Down key and the Page Up key.

Press the End key to go to the end of the output and then Home to go to the top of the output.

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PCWorldVideos asked:

How sturdy is Apple’s latest gadget, the iPad? Senior Editor Tim Moynihan applied our grueling set of classic stress tests to the device so you don’t have to…

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Christopher Pace asked:

As a freelance Linux consultant, many of my clients are often interested in making their VPS (Virtual Private Server) as responsive as possible. Since VPS servers by nature have somewhat limited system resources (often less than 1 GB of RAM), getting the best VPS performance can be a crucial part of running a successful server. To make matters worse, most clients assume that the VPS host has already optimized their server- which simply isn’t true (even Rackspace, a wonderful VPS host, doesn’t do this). Therefore, I’ve written this article as a brief introduction to some of the more common ways to get the best performance from a VPS.

Tip #1: Disable system services

The top way to increase your VPS performance is to disable any system services that are not necessary. Services that are never used will still use up valuable RAM and CPU time, and also possibly allow your server to be attacked remotely. If you don’t need these services, why have them? Manage the startup scripts that start these services at boot time, and disable them.

Tip #2: Configure MySQL properly.

One of the more common ways to increase the available RAM (or to allocate more RAM to MySQL) is to configure the MySQL cache sizes. If your MySQL server instance is using too much memory, decrease the cache sizes. Likewise, if MySQL gets bogged down with large requests, increase the MySQL cache.

Tip #3: Configure Apache properly.

With Apache 2.0, many system administrators and clients alike have become confused as to the proper configuration of the Apache worker threads. Check how much memory Apache is using, and adjust the StartServers and MinSpareServers directives as needed to free up more memory.

Tip #4: Clean up your modules!

Without exception, there will always be modules or features that are enabled in memory hungry server software packages (such as Apache) that simply are not needed. Take a look at the configuration files for Apache, and decide if you need FrontPage support, or some of the other extra modules that ship with the VPS software packages. Disabling unnecessary modules or plugins will decrease the system memory that server software such as Apache requires, which will give you more resources for the software that needs it!

Tip #5: Disable control panels.

Let’s face it, everyone loves the more popular control panels, such as Cpanel, Plesk, Webmin, and phpMyAdmin. Heck, I’ve even written tutorials on how to use some of these control panel software packages. However, disabling these software packages frees up quite a bit of resources- sometimes as much as 120 MB of RAM! Sometimes the best solution is to disable these control panels until you actually need them- then they can be turned on via a PHP script (albeit somewhat insecure), or via a command entered at a shell prompt.

These 5 tips should decease the amount of RAM that your VPS uses by as much as 30-40%, which might save you quite a bit of money per month. Since most providers start out their VPS plans at systems with 256MB of RAM (and upgrades from there are expensive, often costing $40/month for an additional 256 MB), optimization of a VPS server is a crucial step. In addition, these 5 tips can be performed by a talented system administrator or consultant in typically less than two hours, which can mean a return on investment after only two or three billing cycles. What you do with the extra money saved is your business- you’ve earned it!

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Ashish K Arora asked:




Many people are unaware that their shiny new PS3 can be much more than just a gaming console. If you are already in awe of your PS3, then you must be in for more pleasant surprises if you were to hear this. From playing music to watching movies, you can do a lot of things once you install Linux on PS3. Let us look at some of the advantages that come along with the installation.

1. Once you install Linux on PS3, it allows it to play WMV, RM and QUICK TIME files, which otherwise are not detected by a PS3. What this in turn means is that you can now watch all your favorite movies and listen to your favorite music albums on your PS3.

2. You can also view web pages using Mozilla Firefox once you install Linux.

3. You can use the PS3 to create, as well as print word documents, once you install this open source software.

4. Once you install Linux on PS3, your gaming console doubles up as your PC. In fact you get to have a Media Centre and PC in one device, once you install the operating system.

5. The entire process to install Linux on PS3 is also simple. You need not be a technical genius in order to install this operating system on your gaming console. Basic software installation knowledge is more than enough for you to install the operating system.

6. The entire process to install Linux on PS3 has become a lot simpler, thanks to the numerous guides available these days. You can easily find one online, after a simple search over leading search engines. All that you need to do is to follow the step by step instructions given on these guides in order to install Linux in your gaming console.

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FCJ Oghab asked:






http://www.threehosts.com/reviews/1st 

Reviews & Discount Coupon

Web host awarded the “Best Web Hosting OF The Year”

 

All websites today currently run on either a Windows web server or a Linux-based server. The vast majority of websites run on a Linux-based platform as Linux has a strong reputation for security and web server performance. 

With standard (static) HTML-based websites, the web hosting platform doesn’t make much difference. When it does make a difference, however, is when the website uses a dynamic scripting technology such as ASP (A Microsoft based technology), or PHP / PERL (Linux based technologies). A Windows-based hosting solution will run a Microsoft Windows server with IIS (Internet Information Server), and is necessary to run an ASP / ASP.NET scripted website. A Linux-based platform is typically used for PHP, Perl, and most other types of websites.

Basically, unless your website uses ASP (pages ending in the .asp extention), Windows hosting is not necessary.

 



http://www.threehosts.com/reviews/1st 

Reviews & Discount Coupon

 Web host awarded the “Best Web Hosting OF The Year”

 

Take into consideration that web hosting is a global service. It does not matter what country you are located in; US, UK, Canada, Australia or India.. It is good to note that the cost of hosting services in most countries is generally a little more expensive in comparison to the same services in Canada and the United States. Specifically, American web hosts offer a much better value for money than any local hosting.

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Brett Johansen asked:




Ever wondered what using an operating system other than Windows would be like?  Well, there are options!  Most people don’t realize they can install a completely different operating system on their computer.  They trudge along in misery using Windows XP, while they could be using a newer, faster operating system that does everything Windows does and more.

So what is this other option and how much does it cost?

Linux.  And it’s free.

Free?  Well, you say, if it’s free it probably isn’t that great.  You’d be surprised just how polished and fast it runs, even on old hardware.

So where can I get Linux?  You can download it from a number of places.  Here is a link to the Ubuntu Linux OS downloads page.  Ubuntu is one of the better Linux “flavors”.  Yes, there are a bunch of different Linux “distros” to choose from.  Some are made for specialized applications, like audio production, or for use on older hardware.  Others, like Ubuntu, are for end users looking for a nice desktop OS.

Once downloaded, you’ll need to install it onto your computer.  This is where things get tricky and most people will hit snags here.  First thing to remember is don’t do any harm to your current Windows setup.  The best bet is to install Linux onto a separate hard disk, or onto a flash drive for testing purposes.  If you aren’t too technically savvy, then your best bet is to hook into a local Linux user group, a group of Linux fanatics in your area, who’d probably love to assist you.  Do a search for a linux user group in your area here.

Once installed, where do I go for support?  Again, this is where Linux shines.  Rather than calling Microsoft support and getting some person sitting in a call center in another country reading off of a script, you can tap into the community of Linux users for help.  They are usually a very friendly bunch, willing to help you make the jump to Linux.  In the past, Linux had a reputation for users who were a little rude towards new users, but lately things are changing and the Ubuntu user forums are especially friendly to new users.  

The most important thing is don’t give up when you hit a snag.  Once you “get it”, Linux is a wonderful, powerful alternative to Windows.



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Net wind asked:




Linux is a clan of operating systems similar to UNIX, based and is fast emerging as an embedded platform for many netbooks and smartphones. The use and development of Linux is at a demanding rate and this comes with an added demand for professionals who are adept at Linux. A Linux certification is always a bonus in such a scenario to display one’s aptitude in the Linux operating system. Linux training is always helpful for future job prospects and is an added feature in one’s resume. Many companies and franchises provide Linux certification courses to help one harness his/her Linux skills.

Many companies provide certification programs in Linux throughout the country. Rates and duration may depend from franchise to franchise and also upon location and the level of additional experience provided. Almost all course providers have an assessment oriented curriculum wherein the candidate is tested with regular or a final exam to display his/ her competence at the Linux language and showcase his skills. Many companies also offer certain experience to their applicants, as a part of their Linux certification courses, by engaging them some or the other practical work.

A beforehand practise or working experience is always a tag to carry around in case one is interested in Linux administration; it is bound to increase further job prospects. Companies may provide a complete training course or domain specific training in Linux. Course content may vary but mostly consists of in depth knowledge of Linux installation and process, network and group management etc. All courses are professionally formulated keeping in with the latest trends and technology.

A Linux Certification has undoubtedly many advantages to professionals and amateurs alike. Linux Training always increases your value and status as a Linux administrator and as a programmer. It gives one a chance to display his/ her expertise at this fast developing operating system. A certification course in Linux is an ideal place to start learning Linux at a deep knowledge level and it also provides one with the right platform to fast pace or jump start one’s career in Linux administration. A lot of companies and enterprises employ professionals practised at Linux and project them as a selling tool for better market acquisition. A certification in Linux morally boosts the morale of IT personnel who have to make extensive use of the related technology.



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