Linux and Open Source
If you're a Linux administrator or you are integrating Linux into your IT department then you won't want to miss the latest tutorials, news, and updates on various Linux distributions and open source
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Open source still has a few gaps to fill to go mainstream
Linux has come a long, long way. But it still has a few gaps to fill before it will be considered by small to medium-sized businesses. Jack Wallen offers his take on those gaps.
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Better than BackTrack? Kali Linux offers new brand of pen-testing tools
BackTrack Linux no more. The popular open source package of penetration testing tools now has a new platform and a new name.
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How to change your privacy settings in Ubuntu's Unity Dash
Jack Wallen shows you how to protect your privacy by changing a setting in Ubuntu Unity's search dash.
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Losing your Google Reader? Try Tiny Tiny RSS instead
Marco Fioretti recommends a free software RSS reader that won't leave you in the lurch.
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Linux 101: Easy VNC server setup
If you need to remote into your Linux server, VNC might be the best option. Jack Wallen walks you through the steps of setting up a VNC server on an rpm-based distribution.
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The Canonical conundrum: Why the Ubuntu hate?
Jack Wallen offers his perspective on the Canonical and Ubuntu debate. Do you think Canonical should be thanked or shunned for their decisions? Take the poll.
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Crypton for developers: Toward cryptographically-secure cloud apps
A new open source project called Crypton hopes to put a reusable cryptographic solution in the hands of cloud app developers, providing easy, built-in encryption of user data.
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PulseAudio: An Achilles Heel that needs repair
Jack Wallen takes on PulseAudio and runs head first into an issue that has been around since 2008. With Steam gaining ground, sound is going to become a crucial element for Linux. Can the PulseAudio developers solve this troubling issue?
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How to use Zim, a multi-tasking desktop Wiki
Marco Fioretti shows you how to get started with Zim, a desktop wiki that accepts much more than text.
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Tick, tock, tablet tease: Are we closer to an Ubuntu tablet?
Canonical revealed their Ubuntu Tablet interface recently. To many the announcement seemed a bit premature as there is still no manufacturer or carrier. Jack Wallen offers his take on both the announcement and the product.
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Microsoft loses yet another fanboy
Another one bytes the dust as Microsoft (and its ugly licensing practices) pushes a long-time fan away. Jack Wallen looks at what's in store for Microsoft.
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How to use the open source XOWA interface for Wikipedia
Marco Fioretti explains how to use a program that creates offline Wikipedia resources for users that don't have reliable Internet access. It could be a valuable tool for teachers in some circumstances.
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Email productivity trick: Time-shifted processing
Marco Fioretti offers a tip to keep from being distracted by non-urgent email. Learn how to time-shift email processing with a simple shell script.
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Microsoft Office to Linux: Outlook doubtful
The rumors are rampant -- Microsoft is considering a port of MS Office to Linux. Jack Wallen tackles this topic and comes to a conclusion that might surprise you.
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Hardware neutrality: UEFI strikes again and again
The latest UEFI snafu involved the bricking of Samsung laptops. It's time that hardware vendors knew consumers and IT pros demand the right to hardware neutrality.
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How to remove duplicate files without wasting time
Marco Fioretti provides some code snippets to streamline the search and removal of duplicate files on your computer.
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Support trick: Automatically receive the IP addresses of remote computers
Marco Fioretti shares a little tip and script for an easy way to have the IP addresses of computers you support automatically sent to you.
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How to use Calibre to access your ebook collection online
Calibre is one of the most powerful ebook managers available. But did you know that Calibre has a built in server that allows you to access your library from a web browser? In this how-to, Jack Wallen shows you how to set up Calibre to serve up your book library.
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Send messages and alerts from the command line
Vincent Danen introduces two command-line programs, wall and mail, that allow you to send simple alerts and e-mail messages to users.
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How to install a fully portable desktop on a USB for on-the-go access
Jack Wallen shows you the steps to install Porteus, a fully-encapsulated desktop that you can take with you on a USB.
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How to convert .doc and ODF files to clean and lean HTML
Marco Fioretti demonstrates a script that allows you to convert files automatically to streamlined HTML versions, ready for the web.
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Use Hamachi VPN on your Linux clients
If you need to set up a VPN on your Linux machine, and you don't want to deal with the hassle of configuring OpenVPN (or passing traffic through a router), there is a solution. Jack Wallen has the details in this tip.
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Using Corkscrew to tunnel SSH over HTTP
If you are in an environment that disallows the use of SSH and forces the use of an HTTP proxy, it is possible to use that HTTP proxy as a transport for SSH. Vincent Danen explains how to use the Corkscrew program to do it.
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How to create LXC system containers to isolate services
Vincent Danen shows you how to create Linux Resource Containers to run a full service or set of services, isolated from the host operating system.
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Remotely monitor servers with the Nagios check_by_ssh plugin
If you are using Nagios to monitor remote servers, you have more than one method to execute checks, including the use of the check_by_ssh plugin. Vincent Danen tells you how to set up this plugin and the best way to secure it.
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How to install Adobe Photoshop CS5 on Linux with WINE
Jack Wallen shows you the steps to install Adobe Photoshop CS5 on Linux with WINE when the GIMP toolbox just isn't enough.
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Use tabs to open multiple files in vim
Editing multiple files at once is made easier in the vim text editor with the use of tabs. Vincent Danen goes over the basic tab commands and shows you how to combine them with key bindings to make the most of a powerful editing tool.
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Easily install Google Web fonts in Ubuntu with TypeCatcher
Jack Wallen explains how to install and use TypeCatcher, which is one of the easiest ways to get Google Web Fonts onto your Linux desktop.