Linux Tips & Tricks

What is Linux?
Linux is a free operating system, that was developed by Linus Torvalds out of Mimix, and was made Open Source. So most Linux-versions like the german Knoppix can be downloaded for free, including already many free applications: The Firefox browser, OpenOffice or an CD burn program. Also the linux sourcecode is free: Developers can edit and optimize it or look for errors to build a safe system.


Save your data with Knoppix


After downloading and burning a cd version of Knoppix, you have to put it in your computer to boot the Linux system. Don't worry, the windows system on the harddrives won't be touched. When loaded, the burning program "k3b" can be started with menu/multimedia/k3b. After putting the files to be saved on the new cd, you can burn a backup. How that works? Watch our video with the mouse-movements.


Download the newest Linux versions
Besides the more known Linux distributions of SuSe, Red-Hat or Debian, there are also some other versions of Linux that you can download for free at the following site: linuxiso.org


Using Linux under Windows
To test the Linux commandlines on time under windows, Cygwin helps. This free software makes a Bash-Shell with the most important commands for you and can be extended with an apache server at installation. Cygwin.com


Manually change network addresses
If you only have access to the linux system through a terminal, you can not use the graphic options programs. These changes can be made through an Editor or the Shell. To, for example, change th IP- and Gateway adresses and subnet masks, you edit only file /etc/network/interfaces.


man: Manual included
For the most terminal commands there is an included manual, the so-called man-pages. In this manual, the use of these commands is thoroughly described with all necessary options and arguments. Who wants to know more about the "rm" command, enters simply man rm into the terminal.





GIMP, photoshop for free
Gimp is a graphicprogram for free for the Linux computer, but it's also available for Windows. To learn about the many functions in this program, there are two online books for free about "The Gimp": Grokking the Gimp und GUM - Gimp User Manual.






Multitasking in the terminal
To let programs and commands run in the background, and still work on the same terminal, use at the end of the command "&". Then there will be a process ID given to the command, that can be used to test the status of the command. For this, enter ps Process-ID.