For most users work is typically done in a web browser like Firefox or Chrome. (BTW, if you are not using Mozilla’s Firefox, I can not emphasize enough why you should switch to this opensource browser)For advanced users i.e. IT admins, software developers, most of their time may be spent in a terminal and on […]
Tips – Primarily Linux tips and solutions
How to install LetsEncrypt certificate on Fedora Linux
Here are some quick notes on how I installed letsencrypt certificates on a couple of my old Fedora servers. This is meant to get you started fairly quickly especially if you know how to install web servers on Linux systems. While there is a client already available for Fedora 23, I found that on older […]
Use systemd in Linux like a Pro – A cheat sheet
As systemd becomes the default method of handling services in all major Linux distributions, below are some quick and easy-to-remember commands that will make you look like a pro. systemctl check for all running units systemctl TIP: To show all units, including in-active ones: systemctl list-unit-files Check for failed units systemctl –failed Start, stop, restart […]
Customize your Linux desktop using the command line
With most Linux distros now using GNOME 3.10+, here are a few commands on changing the look and feel of your desktop using gsettings. Other CLI methods exist such as the popular GNOME tweak tool and Dconf. Add apps to favorites bar $ gsettings set org.gnome.shell favorite-apps “[‘google-chrome.desktop’, ‘evolution.desktop’, ‘nautilus.desktop’, ‘libreoffice-writer.desktop’, ‘libreoffice-calc.desktop’, ‘firefox.desktop’, ‘gnome-terminal.desktop’, ‘vlc.desktop’, […]
Easily convert from VirtualBox to KVM in Linux
I have been converting some of my old VirtualBox images to KVM, which is the virtualization standard in Linux. Its really easy, although, if you run into booting issues of the converted image, the last tip here will save you some time. To convert from VirtualBox to KVM, look for your VDI images. qemu-img convert […]
How to create an encrypted USB drive in Linux using the command line
Recently, I was tasked to write a backup program for a small office. A key requirement was that the portable backup drive they are using needed to be encrypted since it would have to be ferried off site on a daily basis. The idea was that, if the drive fell in the ‘wrong hands’ during […]
Mobile SMS gateway server using Linux
Like many parts of Africa, SMS messages in Uganda continue to play a big role in the way people communicate. For the majority, the mobile phone is the first tech device and as such the use of SMS messages to send information in bulk and real time makes it ideal in fields such as health. […]
PulseAudio – How to control the volume of individual applications via CLI
Using the Gnome interface, its pretty easy to adjust the volume of running audio based applications i.e. Go to sound Preferences >> Applications Tab. When using the Command Line interface (CLI) on the other hand, Its not that straight forward. At the command prompt, run the following command: pactl list | grep -A16 ‘Sink Input’ […]
Hauppauge WinTV MiniStick on Linux – Digital TV in Uganda
As Uganda prepares to migrate to digital TV broadcasts in 2012, I have been testing some of the pilot broadcasts out there. I’m using Linux i.e. Fedora 12 – Kernel version: 2.6.32.21-168.fc12.i686 and an off-the shelf USB Hauppauge WinTV MiniStick. – The first major task is to get the DVB-T USB stick to be recognized. […]
Huawei E1752 USB Modem supported on Linux
Its been a while, but as always, am back with a linux tip especially for all users who are served by Orange telecommunication company. Here in Uganda, Orange recently started selling these USB 3G Modems from Huawei. These E1752 models are not automatically detected in stock linux distributions such Fedora, Ubuntu, etc. The Fix is […]