Showing posts with label GNOME. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GNOME. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

How to get started with the Linux terminal

The terminal may seem scary for new Linux users. However, it's one of the tools that has the biggest potential on your Linux journey. Learn why
The Linux terminal on Ubuntu

On a previous post we discussed the benefits of using the Linux terminal. Today, let's review how to get started with Bash, the most common shell in GNU/Linux operating systems.

The history of Bash

But before we get hands-on, let's learn more a little about Bash. Bash is a Unix shell and command language written by Brian Fox for the GNU Project as a free software replacement for the Bourne shell (which is located in your system under /usr/bin/sh and is still widely used, especially in containers).

First released in 1989, it has been used as the default login shell for most Linux distributions including the most popular distributions such as UbuntuFedora, Arch, Debian and even on the Raspberry Pi.

But bash is way beyond a simple place to enter commands. It's a powerful command processor where commands can be entered. Bash can also read and execute commands from a file, called a shell script. Like other shells, it supports filename globbing (wildcard matching), piping, command substitution, variables, and control structures for condition-testing and loops.

To finish our introduction, the name Bash is an acronym for Bourne Again Shell, a pun on the name of the Bourne shell that it replaces (and extends).

Why learn Bash

Due to its popularity, power and ubiquity, we strongly recommend that you learn it if you want to be comfortable in Linux and computers in general. Many skills you'll learn in your bash/OSS-journey will definitely carry over to Macs, Windows and well into your professional life.

Bash on Windows

Today, Bash can also be found on Windows via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL for short). We will review how to get started on WSL real soon. Keep tuned!

Starting the Terminal

To start the terminal on Ubuntu (or any GNOME-based distro), simply type terminal on the Activities tab. KDE and Xfce users should also have equivalent terminal apps in their systems.

On Ubuntu, type terminal to open your first terminal

Clicking on the terminal icon should open a new terminal for you:

Your bash terminal on Linux

You can confirm that it's running bash by running the following command:

echo $SHELL
/bin/bash

Entering Commands

Entering commands in your terminal is straightforward, just type them. For example, here are some basic ones:

  • pwd - lists the current directory
  • ls - lists the files in the current directory
  • cd - change the current folder
  • cat - prints the contents of a file
  • cp - copies a file
  • mv - moves a file
  • rm - removes a file
  • mkdir - creates a new directory
Some simple commands on the terminal
The above list may seem a lot for a new user. Don't stress, with time you'll learn these tools and soon they'll be part of your muscle memory

Manual Page

Linux also has an interesting utility called man that is used for reading the manuals (documentation) of the programs, tools and libraries available on your system. To view Bash's manual, type:

man bash

To go the extra mile, we also recommend checking this related manual page:

man bash-builtins

Follow up video

To finish, we would like to point you to an online resource that will teach you Bash better than we could. Feel free to watch it at your own pace to get familiar with it. For the record, we have absolutely no affiliation we the video below, we just want you to learn Bash and Linux 😊

Conclusion

On this article we learned a little more about the Linux terminal and Bash. Bash is a fantastic tool that any Linux user should learn. We hope it helps!

See Also

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Installing Fedora on a Virtual Machine

Fedora remains on of the best Linux distributions for both experience and new users. Learn on this tutorial how to install and test it on a Virtual Machine

Fedora's default desktop

Before switching to Linux permanently, it's recommended to test it on a virtual machine so that you can feel the experience before making permanent changes on your system. On this tutorial, we will continue revisiting the best distributions for beginners in 2021 and install Fedora on VirtualBox in Windows 10.

Please note that this process should be pretty similar to accomplish in either VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation player.

Downloading Fedora

Head to Fedora Workstation download page an grab the ISO. We'll use the x86_64 architecture for this tutorial which is the most popular architecture (and probably yours too). For this tutorial we'll use Fedora Workstation 33: x86_64 DVD ISO but feel free to use a newer release if one is available.

Click on the download button and grab a coffee while it downloads, the file should be around 2 Gb. If you need more information, check this page.

Downloading Fedora's ISO
An ISO is simply an image of the installer containing all the files needed to boot and install that distribution in your system.

Installing Fedora

With the ISO downloaded, let's start the process. Open VirtualBox:

VirtualBox's main screen

Click New and specify the memory size (4Gb or more is recommended):

Create a Virtual Hard Disk:

Choose VDI (VirtualBox's default format):

Set it to Dynamically Allocated (slower) if you don't have much disk space or Fixed Size (faster) if you do:

Name to your VM:

Review and after clicking Create, you should see a summary of your new VM:

Booting the VM

Okay, so it's now time to boot (load) our VM so we can install it in the virtual hard drive. As soon as you press Start, VirtualBox will ask you for an ISO to boot. Click on the orange folder icon > Add and specify the one you downloaded previously. Then select it and click Start again:

Confirm on the next screen and click Start. Your VM should now boot. Choose Start Fedora-Workstation-Live 33 to proceed with the installation:

Installing Fedora

Once the initial boot ends, you should see the following installation screen where you should see two options:

  • Try Fedora - to run Fedora in memory without installing it and making changes in your system
  • Install to Hard Drive - to install Fedora in your virtual hard drive.
Choose you Install to hard drive to proceed with the installation.

Beginning the Installation

Begin setting up your system by choosing your language:

On the installation summary screen, you'll have the chance to change your keyboard, time zone and lastly, setup where to install:

Choosing the Destination

You will have to specify where to install. For that, click Installation Destination on the screen above and you should see:

Once you click Begin Installation, the installation starts. Give it 10 minutes or so to finish:

Once finished, click Finish Installation to restart your machine. You should see this beautiful boot screen:

Finishing the Installation

Once the system reboots, let's complete the installation following this interactive guide:

First, specify your Privacy Preferences:

Connect your online accounts (not mandatory, you can skip if you want):

Create your user:

Enter your password:

And all Done! Ready to log in.

First Login

Once the all the settings were satisfied, you should be ready to log in. Click on your user and enter your password:

And, you will be introduced to Fedora via this exciting new welcome app:

The new welcome screen in Fedora 33
Showing you where your notifications are

And how to find and install apps

Default Desktop

After login, you should see Fedora's default desktop:

Fedora's default desktop

Next Steps

There you are! Feel free to have fun with your new Fedora VM! We will cover some more interesting topics in the future but we recommend that you play with it in the meanwhile.

Conclusion

On this tutorial we learned how to install Fedora in a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM). Installing Linux on a VM is the first step you need to explore Linux in its multiple variations. The next step is obviously, replacing your Windows or Mac. But take your time!

See Also

Monday, February 22, 2021

Installing Pop!_OS on a Virtual Machine

Pop!_OS is a new Linux distribution that will feel very friendly for new users. Learn on this tutorial how to install and test it on a Virtual Machine

Pop!_OS's default desktop

Before switching to Linux permanently, it's recommended to test it on a virtual machine so that you can feel the experience before making permanent changes on your system. On this tutorial, we will continue revisiting the best distributions for beginners in 2021 and install Pop!_OS on VirtualBox in Windows 10.

Please note that this process should be pretty similar to accomplish in either VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation player.

Downloading Pop!_OS

Head to Pop!_OS home page, click on Download on the top-right corner an grab the ISO. For this tutorial we'll use Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS but feel free to use the non-LTS if you like. The file should be around 2.5Gb in size so go grab a coffee while it downloads.

An ISO is simply an image of the installer containing all the files needed to boot and install that distribution in your system.

Installing Pop!_OS

With the ISO downloaded, let's start the process. Open VirtualBox:

VirtualBox's main screen

Click New, enter the VM name and location to save it:

On the next screen specify the memory size (4Gb or more is recommended):

Next, let's create a Virtual Hard Disk by choosing Create a virtual hard disk now:

Choose VDI (VirtualBox's default format):

Set it to Dynamically Allocated (slower) if you don't have much disk space or Fixed Size (faster) if you do:

Specify the file location and size. We recommend reserving 20 Gb for it:

Click Review and Create and you should see a summary of your new VM:

Booting the VM

Okay, so it's now time to boot (load) our VM so we can install it in the virtual hard drive. As soon as you press Start, VirtualBox will ask you for an ISO to boot. Click on the orange folder icon > Add and specify the one you downloaded previously. Then select it and click Start again:

Confirm on the next screen and click Start. Your VM should now boot.

Installing Pop!_OS

Once the initial boot ends, you should see the following installation screen:

Choosing the Keyboard

On the next screen, choose your keyboard and click Continue:

Installation Type

Choose what do to install. For VMs, Clean Install should be good enough (don't worry, none of your files will be lost):

Select a Drive

Choose the only available drive (/dev/sda) and click Erase and Install:

Drive Encryption

If you want, you enable drive encryption. For our simple VM, let's skip that by clicking Don't Encrypt:

Finishing the Installation

Once the all the settings were satisfied, the actual installation begins. Give it 10 minutes or so:

Pop!_OS' installation screen

After finishing the install, you will be prompted to restart your VM:

First Login

With the installation done, it's time to finish the setup. Select a timezone, connect online accounts and enter your username:

Next, type your password:

And the installation should now be complete!

Default Desktop

After login, you should see Pop!_OS's desktop:

Pop!_OS's default desktop

Next Steps

There you are! Feel free to have fun with your new Pop!_OS VM! We will cover some more interesting topics in the future but we recommend that you play with it in the meanwhile.

Conclusion

On this tutorial we learned how to install Pop!_OS in a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM). Installing Linux on a VM is the first step you need to explore Linux in its multiple variations. The next step is obviously, replacing your Windows or Mac. But take your time!

See Also

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