Linux - Make Tech Easier

How to Backup Your GPG Key in Linux with paperkey

Ramces Red — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Paperkey is a command line program for Linux that allows you to export your GPG private key in a human-readable format. It works by removing the redundant parts of a private key and leaving only its critical secret bits.

This article will guide you through the process of installing and setting up paperkey on Ubuntu, and show you how to store your paperkey backup as a QR code and extract it during recovery.

Why Use Paperkey to Backup Your GPG Key

One of the biggest advantages of paperkey is that its format is often smaller than a regular PGP private key block. This makes it easier to manage and store in a variety of formats. For example, a paperkey backup is small enough that you can write it on a piece of paper.

As such, paperkey provides you with the opportunity to remove your PGP private key from any electronic device. While some devices today provide stellar “data at rest” encryption, keeping your data offline is still a reliable way to make your key inaccessible to bad actors.

How to Create a Minimalist Kanban in Linux with Kanboard

Ramces Red — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Kanboard is a lightweight kanban project tracker that you can host on your own server. Unlike other kanban trackers, it aims to create a simple and intuitive interface that you can access from anywhere.

This article will show you how you can install Kanboard in Ubuntu 22.04. It will also highlight the process of extending Kanboard using community plugins.

Why Use Kanboard?

One of the biggest advantages of Kanboard is that it can work on almost any server through the magic of Docker. As a result, hosting Kanboard is both painless and easy even for non-technical users.

Aside from that, Kanboard also comes with a flexible plugins platform. This includes the ability to create tags, track time and run custom scripts. For example, you can create a plugin that updates the properties of each card depending on its content.

Tip: Learn how to be efficient and effective at prioritizing tasks by... Read more

How to Download and Configure DaVinci Resolve in Linux

Crystal Crowder — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

If you are a content creator, especially a video editor, then you have heard about DaVinci Resolve. It’s quickly become a go-to creative software among Linux creators. Since the software supports the Linux platform, you can download DaVinci Resolve in Linux and install it without having to jump through a bunch of hoops.

Tip: if DaVinci Resolve is not your cup of tea, check out other video editors for Linux here.

DaVinci Resolve System Requirements

Before you download anything, make sure your device can support DaVinci Resolve. Since it’s designed for high-end professional video creation and editing, it’s not compatible with your everyday machines. The minimum requirements for Linux are:

32 GB RAM
Discrete GPU that supports OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 11 and also has a minimum of 2 GB VRAM
GPU driver that supports NVIDIA or AMD
Blackmagic Design Desktop Video 10.4.1 or later
Minimum of CentOS 7.3
AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core i7 CPU
Fast SSD (solid state drive)

How to Create New Partitions in Linux

Ramces Red — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Partition editing or making new file systems on Linux usually means one thing: installing the Gnome Parted partition editor (GParted). For most Linux users, this is the only way to go about it. Still, what if you could edit these partitions and file systems right in the terminal? You can! Here’s how!

Note: you might want to back up your partition first before making any changes to your hard disk.

Creating a Basic Linux Partition Layout with CFdisk

Here’s how to make a basic Linux partition scheme right from the command line.

The first thing to do is open your terminal. Once you’re there, you’ll need to identify what hard drive you’re looking to change. This can easily be figured out with one simple command.

lsblk

Once you’ve run lsblk, you should get a detailed list of each hard drive currently on your system. Look... Read more

7 of the Best Web Browsers for Linux

Terenz Jomar Dela Cruz — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Be it for personalization, security, or any other way, Linux web browsers come as good as Linux distros do. Here are 11 of these, ready to bring you every single page that the internet has to offer!

1. Vivaldi – Best for Personalization

When it comes to personalization, Vivaldi has everything. For one, it lets you move where you want your tabs should go. You can choose the top bar, bottom bar, or even either left or right side! Better yet, it lets you do gestures with your own mouse, making it an even better choice for touch-enabled monitor setups.

Another good thing about Vivaldi is that it accepts typed-in user commands using Ctrl + E. It’s a bit similar to typing commands off the Linux Terminal but with suggestions and a dropdown list. You can even make new commands for it, including adding a chain of commands to do many things with just one input.

How to Install and Configure ownCloud Server

Ramces Red — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

OwnCloud is a powerful, web-based personal storage solution for Linux. It works by converting a standard Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP (LAMP) software stack into an interactive web application that you can access anywhere.

This article shows you the process of installing an ownCloud server on Ubuntu 22.04. Not only that, we will also show you how you can secure it by enabling SSL support.

Tip: not keen to install your own cloud storage? Check out these cloud storage providers instead and see which is the best one for your buck.

Why Use ownCloud?

The biggest advantage of using ownCloud is that it only relies on a traditional web hosting stack. As a result, it is possible to run an ownCloud instance on almost any Linux installation with as little as 512MB of RAM.

Aside from that, the entire ownCloud suite is free and open source. This means that you can deploy it... Read more

How to Make a Raspberry Pi Virtual Machine

Terenz Jomar Dela Cruz — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

The Raspberry Pi is one amazing little machine with a bit of a caveat: the RAM and SD card storage. And it’s not like you can do anything with that since everything is soldered directly on the board. That’s why upgrading both RAM and storage is impossible – unless you make a Raspberry Pi virtual machine.

And the good news is that it’s so easy to make one. Here we show you how to make a Raspberry Pi virtual machine.

What You Need

You only need three things to do this:

Raspberry Pi Desktop ISO image
Oracle VM VirtualBox
A Windows, Linux, or Mac PC that can run VirtualBox

Many OS installs on VirtualBox follow a two-step process. The first one sets up the OS image in some form of a bootable disk, much like a bootable USB. After that, the second step is about installing the OS, itself.

However, since the Raspberry Pi OS doesn’t have some sort of a “bootable” form, the second step... Read more

5 Simple and Easy Uses for Netcat in Linux

Ramces Red — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Netcat is a powerful command line network utility in Linux that can send and listen for TCP and UDP packets. Unlike other network tools, netcat is extremely basic. However, its simplicity also allows it to do almost any type of activity over a network.

This article will show you 5 simple networking tasks that you can do with netcat. Further, this article will also highlight what makes netcat special and why you should include it in your Linux toolkit.

How Does Netcat Work and Why Use It?

Netcat is a basic utility that can send and receive network packets. It was first released in 1995 by a pseudonymous programmer named Hobbit. Since then, netcat has been an important part of every Linux distribution.

At its core, netcat works by sending network requests from one Linux host to another. This network request can contain any type of data and you can send it on any port.

This approach means... Read more

How to Customize the GDM Sessions List

Ramces Red — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Have you ever installed a new Linux window manager or desktop environment, only to find that it doesn’t show up on the Sessions list in GDM? Have you ever wanted to remove items from that list? How about create a new list item so that you can boot into a custom desktop environment? It sounds like it should be simple, but many people are surprised by the fact that this small task is actually a bit tricky, and there’s very little documentation to help. We show you how to resolve that with a quick and simple guide to editing your GDM Sessions menu.

Tip: if you are using Gnome, you have to check out these Gnome extensions to improve your desktop experience.

xsessions

The session list is populated by looking at the contents of the “/usr/share/xsessions” directory. In here you’ll find files with the .desktop extension (extension hidden in some file managers). As these files are in a system folder, you will need root privileges to change or delete them.

PowerShell vs. Bash: Key Differences to Know About

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

If you possess even the most passing familiarity with terminal emulators on computers, you’ve likely heard of Linux’s Bash and Microsoft’s PowerShell. Both of these are ubiquitous in the lives of professionals specializing in either operating system. However, if you aren’t living your day-to-day life in front of a shell prompt, you likely haven’t given much thought to how the two would compare. In that case, there’s never been a better time to learn!

What Is PowerShell

Microsoft introduced Powershell in 2006 to act as a command line interface that runs on top of a versatile and powerful scripting framework. It was designed to help Windows administrators to build small applications that make use of “commandlets” (known officially as “cmdlets”) to automate a large portion of their work.

More importantly, its command structure and “scriptability” represents a complete rework of the old MS-DOS that Windows was originally built on top of. It has a more uniform syntax and way of presenting information that’s easy to get accustomed to and code with.

How to Use GPG with GNU Kleopatra in Linux

Ramces Red — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

The GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) is one of the most important programs available today, as it allows you to create your own digital identity and establish encrypted communications online.

This article will show how you can get started with GPG in Linux using Kleopatra and send your first encrypted message over the internet.

Tip: Learn how you can create your own GPG key in Windows 11.

How GPG Works

At its core, GPG follows the OpenPGP standard which allows its users to exchange encrypted and signed messages over a network. The way it works is that the program relies on the idea of asymmetric cryptography. This is a method of cryptography that does not need a “pre-arranged” key to encrypt messages to other users.

One of the biggest advantages of this approach is that you do not need your recipient to be present to begin encrypting messages. This makes GPG suitable for “delay-tolerant” communication such as email.

UNIX vs Linux: How Are They Different?

Ramces Red — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

UNIX is a powerful multi-user operating system (OS) that defined how we do computing for more than 40 years. It provided a lot of features and abstractions that we take for granted today. This includes the idea of files being an uninterpreted sequence of bytes as well as the notion of a hierarchical file system.

This article will show you some of the differences between the original UNIX OS and its modern spiritual successor: Linux. Further, it will also show you a brief rundown on both the history and notable features of each system.

What is UNIX?

Since the late 1970s, UNIX has set the standard for what can be considered a modern, and powerful OS. Developed in Bell Laboratories, it became the vehicle that drove OS research for some of the brightest minds in computer science.

The original research UNIX operating system can be divided into seven separate editions. Each of which have introduced numerous innovations on how the... Read more

What is Nostr and How to Use It in Linux

Ramces Red — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Nostr is a new and innovative internet protocol that aims to simplify how people use social media. Instead of a single website, Nostr uses relays and public key cryptography to decentralize the broadcast of messages over the internet.

This article will show you how you can install a Nostr client in Linux. Further, it will also show you how to create your own unique keypair in order to participate in the Nostr network.

How Does Nostr Work and Why Use It?

The way Nostr works is that every user has a pair of unique keys that identify them inside the network. Every message that a user sends and receives from a Nostr relay are signed and encrypted using his keys.

As a result, only the user that owns the signing key can open and decode his messages. This makes any content that goes through Nostr private by default.

6 of the Best Linux Distributions for Mac Users

Charlie Fripp — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Apple’s macOS is an incredibly robust operating system, and its MacBooks are equally impressive. However, there might be a few scenarios where you don’t want to use the default OS, craving something different that appeals to your needs.

While you can technically install Microsoft’s Windows, you might be better off switch to Linux for a better user experience. Here are some of the best Linux distributions that Mac users can install either on their Macs or on dedicated Linux computers.

Tip: Here’s an easy way to switch to Xorg from Wayland in Linux.

1. elementary OS

Described as a “thoughtful, capable, and ethical replacement for Windows and macOS,” elementary OS is currently in its seventh version and widely used by people who want to change their Mac’s operating system.

One of its biggest appeals is that it mimics the look and feel of macOS, making it a great choice if you want to retain... Read more

How to Use the Zip Command in Linux to Compress Files and Folders

Terenz Jomar Dela Cruz — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

The zip command in Linux is probably the simplest and most intuitive way to work with ZIP files on the command line. And not just that, the ZIP file format is universal – almost every OS out there has a native program that can work with it. Here’s all the ways you can use this command in any Linux command line.

How to Install Zip in Linux

The latest version of the Linux zip command should be available in all major package managers.

For Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install zip

For Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S zip

For Fedora:

sudo dnf install zip

For Gentoo

Linux Version Check: How to Get Distro and Kernel Information

Ramces Red — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

One of the first steps in understanding your Linux distro and kernel is knowing the version that they are currently running. This gives you an idea of what features are available at your disposal as well as their problems which can help you during troubleshooting.

This article will show you how to find the version of your current distribution and kernel in Linux. Further, it will also highlight how you can do this even without the command line.

Checking the Version of Your Linux Distro

The quickest way to check the current version of your Linux distribution is by printing the contents of the “/etc/os-release” file. This is a systemd configuration file that holds distro information in an easy to parse format.

To print the current version of your distribution, you can run the following command:

cat /etc/os-release | grep ^VERSION=

How to Find Your Ubuntu Version Without the Command Line

Ramces Red — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

If you are troubleshooting your Ubuntu system and are looking online for an appropriate solution, you need to first know your Ubuntu version so as to find a specific fix. However, it is not often clear where and how you can check which version on Ubuntu your system is running. This article fixes that! It shows you how to find your Ubuntu version even without going to the command line.

Tip: Of course, you can also use the command line to find the Linux version (for Ubuntu or any other distro), if that is your preferred method.

Check the Ubuntu Version with the Desktop Bar

The easiest way to find the version of your Ubuntu distro is through the system’s “Settings” application.

Click the group of icons on your desktop’s upper right corner.

Click the “Settings” option on the panel’s... Read more

How to Switch to Xorg from Wayland in Linux

Miguel Leiva-Gomez — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

For a long time, most Linux distros have slowly been transitioning their users away from Xorg and into Wayland. In most cases, this is a good thing. Wayland is more secure, performs much better than X, and overcomes many of the hurdles of the older protocol. The bad news is that your applications may not function perfectly if they expect to be running in X11.

Luckily, most Linux distros come with both Wayland and Xorg installed, and you can easily switch between both. Here we’ll look at how you can switch to Xorg from Wayland.

Tip: If you are using Nvidia graphics card, here is how you can get Wayland to plays well with Nvidia.

Switch from Wayland to Xorg

The procedure for switching from Wayland to Xorg depends entirely on what kind of display manager you’re using. If you can’t find your display manager listed here, the process is similar enough for most of them that you might just be able to wing it with any of these instructions.

If you don’t know which display manager... Read more

The Bash Special Characters You Should Know About

Ramces Red — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Not all characters are equal in Bash. Some of them carry out special functions, tweak commands, and help us manipulate data. That’s why we’ve compiled the following list with the most important Bash special characters. Read on to find out how to use them and how they can make your daily Bash life easier.

Folder Path Separator (/)

In Bash, the forward-slash (/)separates the parts of a path, the subfolders-within-folders. To visit the folder named “pictures” inside your home folder, you’ll have to use the command cd as:

cd /home/USERNAME/Pictures

Everything after a forward slash in the above example resides within what precedes the slash.

Home Directory (~)

Instead of typing the full name of your home folder in your Bash terminal, you can use... Read more

What Is Parabola Linux and How to Install It

Ramces Red — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:25:00 +0000

Parabola is a Linux distribution that focuses on producing a secure and Libre version of Arch Linux. Unlike a regular distribution, Parabola distinguishes itself by only including software and libraries that you can inspect yourself.

This article shows you how to install Parabola Linux as well as guide you through the process of installing your own desktop environment.

Why Use Parabola Linux

The biggest selling point of Parabola Linux is that it is one of the few distributions that provide a Libre operating system. This means that every piece of the distro, including the kernel, does not contain any closed source code.

Another advantage of Parabola Linux is that its default install only contains basic tools and utilities. This allows you to customize your system and only include the programs that you want. For example, you can use the same install disk for a desktop and a web server.

Obtaining and Booting the Parabola Live ISO