#linux commands for beginners

[tpointtechblog]

Essential Linux Commands: Mastering the Basics of Command-Line Operations

Linux, a powerful and versatile operating system, offers a command-line interface that empowers users with unprecedented control over their systems. While the graphical user interface (GUI) provides ease of use, understanding the fundamental Linux commands is essential for anyone seeking to harness the full potential of this open-source platform. In this article, we will explore some of the…

Essential Linux Commands help users navigate, manage files, and control system processes. Here are some key ones:

ls – List directory contents

cd – Change directory

pwd – Show current directory path

mkdir – Create a new directory

rm – Remove files or directories

cp – Copy files or directories

mv – Move or rename files

cat – View file contents

grep – Search text in files

chmod – Change file permissions

top – Monitor system processes

ps – Display running processes

kill – Terminate a process

sudo – Execute commands as a superuser

Mastering these commands boosts productivity and system control!

[bonefarm]

Think I might fuck around and put Linux on this laptop. I’m annoyed enough at the new version of windows to finally make a change and I’ve always wanted to try that out and see what it was about.

Any mutuals into that sort of thing that have any words of wisdom?

[hackeocafe]

Linux Administration: The Complete Linux Bootcamp for 2024

This Linux Administration course covers every major topic, including using AI and Natural Language to administer Linux systems (ChatGPT & ShellGPT), all important Linux commands, the Linux Filesystem, File Permissions, Process Management, User Account Management, Software Management, Networking in Linux, System Administration, Bash Scripting, Containarizing Apps with Podman, Iptables/Netfilter Firewall, Linux Security and many more!

I’m constantly updating the course to be the most comprehensive, yet straightforward, Linux Administration course on the market!

This course IS NOT like any other Linux Administration course you can take online. At the end of this course, you will MASTER the key concepts and you will become an effective Linux System Engineer or Administrator.

This is a brand new Linux Administration course that is constantly updated to teach you the skills required for the future that comes.

The world is changing, constantly, and at a fast pace! The technology-driven future in which we’ll live is filled with promise but also challenges. Linux powers the servers of the Internet and by enrolling in this course you’ll power the essential Linux concepts and commands. This Linux Administration course is really different! You’ll learn what matters and get the skills to get ahead and gain an edge.

[ramniwas-sangwan]

Mastering Regular Expressions and the grep Command in Linux | Linux Tuto...

[cloudolus]

Introduction to Linux for DevOps: Why It’s Essential  

Linux serves as the backbone of most DevOps workflows and cloud infrastructures. Its open-source nature, robust performance, and extensive compatibility make it the go-to operating system for modern IT environments. Whether you're deploying applications, managing containers, or orchestrating large-scale systems, mastering Linux is non-negotiable for every DevOps professional.  

Why Linux is Critical in DevOps  

1. Ubiquity in Cloud Environments     - Most cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, use Linux-based environments for their services.     - Tools like Kubernetes and Docker are designed to run seamlessly on Linux systems.  

2. Command-Line Mastery     - Linux empowers DevOps professionals with powerful command-line tools to manage servers, automate processes, and troubleshoot issues efficiently.  

3. Flexibility and Automation     - The ability to script and automate tasks in Linux reduces manual effort, enabling faster and more reliable deployments.  

4. Open-Source Ecosystem     - Linux integrates with numerous open-source DevOps tools like Jenkins, Ansible, and Terraform, making it an essential skill for streamlined workflows.  

Key Topics for Beginners  

- Linux Basics    - What is Linux?    - Understanding Linux file structures and permissions.    - Common Linux distributions (Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux).  

- Core Linux Commands    - File and directory management: `ls`, `cd`, `cp`, `mv`.    - System monitoring: `top`, `df`, `free`.    - Networking basics: `ping`, `ifconfig`, `netstat`.  

- Scripting and Automation    - Writing basic shell scripts.    - Automating tasks with `cron` and `at`.  

- Linux Security    - Managing user permissions and roles.    - Introduction to firewalls and secure file transfers.  

Why You Should Learn Linux for DevOps  

- Cost-Efficiency: Linux is free and open-source, making it a cost-effective solution for both enterprises and individual learners.   - Career Opportunities: Proficiency in Linux is a must-have skill for DevOps roles, enhancing your employability.   - Scalability: Whether managing a single server or a complex cluster, Linux provides the tools and stability to scale effortlessly.  

Hands-On Learning   - Set up a Linux virtual machine or cloud instance.   - Practice essential commands and file operations.   - Write and execute your first shell script.  

Who Should Learn Linux for DevOps?   - Aspiring DevOps engineers starting their career journey.   - System administrators transitioning into cloud and DevOps roles.   - Developers aiming to improve their understanding of server environments.

***************************** *Follow Me* https://www.facebook.com/cloudolus/ | https://www.facebook.com/groups/cloudolus | https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14347089/ | https://www.instagram.com/cloudolus/ | https://twitter.com/cloudolus | https://www.pinterest.com/cloudolus/ | https://www.youtube.com/@cloudolus | https://www.youtube.com/@ClouDolusPro | https://discord.gg/GBMt4PDK | https://www.tumblr.com/cloudolus | https://cloudolus.blogspot.com/ | https://t.me/cloudolus | https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VadSJdv9hXFAu3acAu0r | https://chat.whatsapp.com/D6I4JafCUVhGihV7wpryP2 *****************************

*🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated:* Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon to receive notifications and stay updated on our latest videos, tutorials & playlists! *ClouDolus:* https://www.youtube.com/@cloudolus *ClouDolus AWS DevOps:* https://www.youtube.com/@ClouDolusPro *THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF ClouDolus! 🙌✨*

[machine-saint]

Eka, do you have any beginner tips for learning Linux? Or recommendations? 🪡

hello mysterious sewing needle anon! I'm not sure what the "beginner" distro is these days, maybe Mint?

in no particular order:

definitely make sure you have a "backup" machine.

get comfortable using a terminal. you'll want to do this sooner or later. if you have a command called foobar, "man foobar" and "foobar --help" (that's two hyphens) will generally show you help.

fish is a good shell, imo more newbie friendly than sh or bash or zsh or whatever.

get comfortable with your distribution's package manager of choice, and prefer installing stuff from it if you can. it's a vastly better experience than windows's "download random shit and let it install itself".

for other things, flatpak is a reasonable alternative.

if you're editing config files by hand, make a backup copy of them. there are some fancy tools for managing config files but I'm not aware of any that are beginner-friendly.

if you fuck up your system so bad you can't get a graphical environment, you can use ctrl-alt-f2 to switch to a virtual terminal

if you fuck it up so bad you can't even boot, you can boot off a USB stick, mount your hard drive, and fix it that way. the installer you use for your distro will work for this.

when it comes to desktop environments, I have no particular opinions on gnome vs plasma vs. whatever else is out there because I use sway because I'm cool. anything that describes itself as being based on "Wayland" is newer, and some things might not work as well (screensharing), but will have better support for HiDPI displays

many Steam games that are not officially supported on Linux can be made to run anyway, and will run just as well. I don't remember the setting for this. for non-Steam games, not sure.

overall, have fun! it has its quirks but I'm happy knowing that my computer isn't going to try to force telemetry and AI nonsense onto me

[cyberstudious]

Free Resources for Learning Cybersecurity

I created this post for the Studyblr Masterpost Jam, check out the tag for more cool masterposts from folks in the studyblr community!

Free Online Courses

Linux Foundation Cybersecurity Courses - many of their beginner/introductory courses are free

Professor Messer's Security+ Course - a great intro to cybersecurity, gave me the skills to pass my Security+ exam

Khan Academy Cryptography - solid foundations for understanding the math behind encryption

ISC2's new entry level cert & training CC is free, although for a limited time

Linux Journey - learn Linux, the command line, and basic networking

Free CTFs & Ways to Practice

What is a CTF? - HackTheBox isn't a free platform, but this is a good article explaining what a CTF is and how to approach it

OverTheWire Bandit - practice your Linux skills

PicoCTF - this one already ran this year but their website has plenty of resources

Microcorruption - binary exploitation challenges

Hacker101 - web security CTF

Cryptopals Cryptography Challenges

Nightmare - binary exploitation & reverse engineering challenges

Cybersecurity News: follow what's happening in the industry

KrebsOnSecurity - security & cybercrime news, investigative journalism

SANS StormCast - daily 5-minute security news podcast

SANS Internet Storm Center - security blog posts

Cisco Talos blog - security news, threat intelligence & malware investigations

Schneier on Security - security & society

Black Hills Information Security webcasts

Darknet Diaries podcast

Other Free Resources

Trail of Bits's CTF Field Guide

PicoCTF Resources and Practice

SANS Cheat Sheets - all areas of security & tech

OWASP Cheat Sheets - application security & web attacks

LaurieWired's YouTube channel - high-quality videos on low-level tech

LiveOverflow's YouTube channel - binary exploitation

SANS Webinars

Cybersecurity Certifications Roadmap

Cybersecurity Job Supply and Demand Map (for the U.S.)

EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense - guides for how to protect yourself online

Don't Forget the Library!

If you have access to a public or school library, check out their technical books and see what they have to offer. O'Reilly and No Starch Press are my favorite publishers for technical and cybersecurity books, but be on the lookout for study guides for the Security+ and other certifications - these will give you a good introduction to the basics. I wrote more about cybersecurity books in yesterday's masterpost.

[girlboss-enthusiast]

Please tell us how to get into IT without a degree! I have an interview for a small tech company this week and I’m going in as admin but as things expand I can bootstrap into a better role and I’d really appreciate knowing what skills are likely to be crucial for making that pivot.

Absolutely!! You'd be in a great position to switch to IT, since as an admin, you'd already have some familiarity with the systems and with the workplace in general. Moving between roles is easier in a smaller workplace, too.

So, this is a semi-brief guide to getting an entry-level position, for someone with zero IT experience. That position is almost always going to be help desk. You've probably heard a lot of shit about help desk, but I've always enjoyed it.

So, here we go! How to get into IT for beginners!

The most important thing on your resume will be

✨~🌟Certifications!!🌟~✨

Studying for certs can teach you a lot, especially if you're entirely new to the field. But they're also really important for getting interviews. Lots of jobs will require a cert or degree, and even if you have 5 years of experience doing exactly what the job description is, without one of those the ATS will shunt your resume into a black hole and neither HR or the IT manager will see it.

First, I recommend getting the CompTIA A+. This will teach you the basics of how the parts of a computer work together - hardware, software, how networking works, how operating systems work, troubleshooting skills, etc. If you don't have a specific area of IT you're interested in, this is REQUIRED. Even if you do, I suggest you get this cert just to get your foot in the door.

I recommend the CompTIA certs in general. They'll give you a good baseline and look good on your resume. I only got the A+ and the Network+, so can't speak for the other exams, but they weren't too tough.

If you're more into development or cybersecurity, check out these roadmaps. You'll still benefit from working help desk while pursuing one of those career paths.

The next most important thing is

🔥🔥Customer service & soft skills🔥🔥

Sorry about that.

I was hired for my first ever IT role on the strength of my interview. I definitely wasn't the only candidate with an A+, but I was the only one who knew how to handle customers (aka end-users). Which is, basically, be polite, make the end-user feel listened to, and don't make them feel stupid. It is ASTOUNDING how many IT people can't do that. I've worked with so many IT people who couldn't hide their scorn or impatience when dealing with non-tech-savvy coworkers.

Please note that you don't need to be a social butterfly or even that socially adept. I'm autistic and learned all my social skills by rote (I literally have flowcharts for social interactions), and I was still exceptional by IT standards.

Third thing, which is more for you than for your resume (although it helps):

🎇Do your own projects🎇

This is both the most and least important thing you can do for your IT career. Least important because this will have the smallest impact on your resume. Most important because this will help you learn (and figure out if IT is actually what you want to do).

The certs and interview might get you a job, but when it comes to doing your job well, hands-on experience is absolutely essential. Here are a few ideas for the complete beginner. Resources linked at the bottom.

Start using the command line. This is called Terminal on Mac and Linux. Use it for things as simple as navigating through file directories, opening apps, testing your connection, that kind of thing. The goal is to get used to using the command line, because you will use it professionally.

Build your own PC. This may sound really intimidating, but I swear it's easy! This is going to be cheaper than buying a prebuilt tower or gaming PC, and you'll learn a ton in the bargain.

Repair old PCs. If you don't want to or can't afford to build your own PC, look for cheap computers on Craiglist, secondhand stores, or elsewhere. I know a lot of universities will sell old technology for cheap. Try to buy a few and make a functioning computer out of parts, or just get one so you can feel comfortable working in the guts of a PC.

Learn Powershell or shell scripting. If you're comfortable with the command line already or just want to jump in the deep end, use scripts to automate tasks on your PC. I found this harder to do for myself than for work, because I mostly use my computer for web browsing. However, there are tons of projects out there for you to try!

Play around with a Raspberry Pi. These are mini-computers ranging from $15-$150+ and are great to experiment with. I've made a media server and a Pi hole (network-wide ad blocking) which were both fun and not too tough. If you're into torrenting, try making a seedbox!

Install Linux on your primary computer. I know, I know - I'm one of those people. But seriously, nothing will teach you more quickly than having to compile drivers through the command line so your Bluetooth headphones will work. Warning: this gets really annoying if you just want your computer to work. Dual-booting is advised.

If this sounds intimidating, that's totally normal. It is intimidating! You're going to have to do a ton of troubleshooting and things will almost never work properly on your first few projects. That is part of the fun!

Resources

Resources I've tried and liked are marked with an asterisk*

Professor Messor's Free A+ Training Course*

PC Building Simulator 2 (video game)

How to build a PC (video)

PC Part Picker (website)*

CompTIA A+ courses on Udemy

50 Basic Windows Commands with Examples*

Mac Terminal Commands Cheat Sheet

Powershell in a Month of Lunches (video series)

Getting Started with Linux (tutorial)* Note: this site is my favorite Linux resource, I highly recommend it.

Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Projects for Beginners

/r/ITCareerQuestions*

Ask A Manager (advice blog on workplace etiquette and more)*

Reddit is helpful for tech questions in general. I have some other resources that involve sailing the seas; feel free to DM me or send an ask I can answer privately.

Tips

DO NOT work at an MSP. That stands for Managed Service Provider, and it's basically an IT department which companies contract to provide tech services. I recommend staying away from them. It's way better to work in an IT department where the end users are your coworkers, not your customers.

DO NOT trust remote entry-level IT jobs. At entry level, part of your job is schlepping around hardware and fixing PCs. A fully-remote position will almost definitely be a call center.

DO write a cover letter. YMMV on this, but every employer I've had has mentioned my cover letter as a reason to hire me.

DO ask your employer to pay for your certs. This applies only to people who either plan to move into IT in the same company, or are already in IT but want more certs.

DO NOT work anywhere without at least one woman in the department. My litmus test is two women, actually, but YMMV. If there is no woman in the department in 2024, and the department is more than 5 people, there is a reason why no women work there.

DO have patience with yourself and keep an open mind! Maybe this is just me, but if I can't do something right the first time, or if I don't love it right away, I get very discouraged. Remember that making mistakes is part of the process, and that IT is a huge field which ranges from UX design to hardware repair. There are tons of directions to go once you've got a little experience!

Disclaimer: this is based on my experience in my area of the US. Things may be different elsewhere, esp. outside of the US.

I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have more questions!

[anton-exe]

hi I just updated my computer to the version that removes WordPad, ublock and my word replacer.

do you think you could help me switch to linux or should I just go start biting microsoft execs

/genq but I'm really mad so I'm also making jokes to keep myself sane

yeah i should be able to help. just before you start note the following:

you'll need a blank (or with data that you're fine with erasing) USB stick

you can either install linux to replace windows (which will make you lose all files on the drive marked C:) or alongside it (you will need enough disk space for the installer to split your disk into two "partitions" (easiest way i can think of explaining it: a partition is a disk pretending to be more than one disk))

i'd personally reccomend linux mint for a beginner. this comes with the advantage of being widely renowned as a very bew user-friendly distro, but the downside i won't be able to help with certain commands as easily

[strangecloud]

Linux Distros I've tried and my experience with them

Mint: Real cool. No wayland, which means my high-refresh dual monitor setup runs like ass under X11 unless I introduce tearing or pray to the Tearfree gods. Mint is the best Linux experience period but it pains me that I can't use it properly as it stands.

Manjaro: My first experience with Manjaro was installing it and the system immediately bricking itself because of some keyring issue on the repos or whatever. Later on I managed to get it working but I am not a fan of Arch, I think it is silly. If my computer breaks I want it to be because I am a dumbass and not a back of the box feature of the update cycle.

ZorinOS: Looks great, has features I need, but damn if the software on this one isn't ancient. Specifically Mesa, which ships some ubuntu focal version that is so old it's not compatible with DXVK on the current version of Proton. Not being able to use compatibility layers natively is a deal breaker for me.

Tuxedo: KDE on Debian is cool but this one isn't very stable. Out of all KDE distros I tried, this is the only one that crashed completely from moving a relatively large amount of files. More than once. And one time it took one of my backup drives with it. So not ideal.

Solus: BUDGIE SUCKS. C'mon man, no Wayland or panels on secondary displays? I put KDE on that real quick. I wouldn't use it as a beginner seeing as flatpaks have to be manually added via command line and the software repo seems kinda barren. It's going though, but I have a feeling I'm about to run into Issues(TM).

[izicodes]

Hey hey! What r ur best resources for learning git/version control for windows? I feel like most video tuts ive come across are for apple/linux environments. I'm defo not looking in all the right places but ive also not followed up w/ this topic in a long while due to school lol. I would appreciate some help w/ this. Thank you so so much <3

Hiya 💗

I learnt Git via a bootcamp and apprenticeship so the resource I used was the teachers and I understood it, so I didn't use online resources but I went and looked around to find some.

Some videos:

Git and GitHub for Beginners Tutorial

Git Tutorial For Beginners 2022 | Git & Github Complete Tutorial

Some websites:

Mircosoft's Introduction to Git

Atlassian's Verison control tutorial

Datacamp's Git Cheat Sheet

FreeCodeCamp's 50 Git Commands You Should Know

W3School's Git Tutorial (good reference places, in my opinion)

Hope this helps! 💗

[shinelikethunder]

computer/firefox anon, no questions this time. just my undying thanks! as tumblr users say, i am kissing you on the mouth etc etc. huge thank you to you and everyone else who added stuff in the replies or reblogs — i feel much more confident about this now<33. tldr: y’all are awesome, thanks a bunch!

happy to help! and i think i said this deep down under the read-more in the first response to your Linux ask, but it's worth highlighting--@compusever's advice to get a Windows 10 or 11 Home laptop and do what you can with the privacy settings is not AT ALL incompatible with trying Linux or eventually replacing Windows with it. once you've booted up the computer from an installation USB drive, most distros will offer a temporary "preview" version of the OS that runs from the USB drive without changing anything on the computer. you can try Ubuntu, mess around, see if you like it, wipe the USB drive, put Mint on it, and try that; if you go for the full install you can dual-boot and keep Windows around in hard-drive quarantine in case you need it.

in other words, you don't have to take the entire plunge all at once! but i suspect that if you don't have pre-existing desktop UI preferences, and you strongly prefer a device that won't pester/spy on/micromanage you, a beginner-friendly Linux will be easier to use than any of the current versions of Windows.

btw, here's the install guide for Mint: https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ compared to the Ubuntu one, which goes out of its way to be friendly and dead simple, the Mint guide is... a lot closer to what you can expect from most Linux tutorials, lmao. i especially love that the very second step explains a bit about why it wants you to check that the file didn't get corrupted in the download process, immediately starts providing commands you can copy into a Linux terminal to generate cryptographic checksums, and only then adds a "how to do this on Windows" link... to a forum post with commands you can paste into a Windows terminal. (meanwhile, Ubuntu gives you a download link and then displays an unobtrusive "here's how to verify the file if you want" with a one-off command and a link to more info.) even the friendliest Linux tends to be built on the labor of absolute nerds who are into this stuff as a hobby, and they are very helpful, but be warned that they often have a wildly skewed frame of reference about what "normal computer use" consists of.

[winterinhimring]

Where do I learn how to code and use linux? I want to try it but I don't know anything about coding.

I will do my best to help! The answer to that question is very long if I write it all out here, but a lot of it has been answered by other people, so I'll give you an overview and link you to some resources along the way.

The good thing is that you don't need any programming knowledge to use Linux. If you just want to try out the Linux operating system and see what it's like, I would start by downloading a program like Oracle's VirtualBox: https://www.virtualbox.org/

This will allow you to basically run a second, simulated, computer on your actual computer. From there, you can download a Linux image and install it, run it inside VirtualBox, and get familiar with the operating system. This has the additional benefit that if you do something wonky to your Linux virtual machine (VM for short) by mistake, you can just delete it and recreate it and no harm will be done to your actual computer. For a step-by-step explanation, see: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-run-ubuntu-desktop-on-a-virtual-machine-using-virtualbox#1-overview

Short aside: Linux is not a monolithic operating system like Windows or MacOS. Linux, written by a man named Linus Torvalds, is a "kernel" made up of certain very basic computer functions, and the rest of the operating system, things like the graphical user interface (GUI, to nerds like me) doesn't come with it. To be usable by normal people, Linux has to have that functionality filled in by other programmers, which creates something called a distribution, or distro for short. Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat, Linux Mint, and OpenSUSE are all Linux distros. Different distros are designed for different purposes. Ubuntu and Mint are both pretty friendly to normal folks who want to write documents, check their email, etc. RedHat is for large companies. There's a distro called Kali that's for cybersecurity and penetration testing. Etc. etc. etc. There are tons of distros. If you don't know which one to pick, I recommend Ubuntu or Mint, as I have experience with both, and they're fairly easy to use.

From this point out, a search engine will be your best friend. There are lots of helpful tutorials online, and also answers to almost any question you can imagine. If you're unsure where to start, documentation from the website of an official Linux distribution, like Ubuntu, is usually reliable, though it can be kind of opaque if you're not used to reading tech-ese. The tutorials on Ubuntu's site, however, seem to be structured with beginners in mind, and I would run through this one to start with: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/command-line-for-beginners#1-overview

Once you get to the point of having specific questions about how a command works or how to make the operating system do something, I would take a good look at any answers from StackOverflow, which is basically a website for computer people of all skill levels to ask each other questions ranging from the basic to the ridiculously obscure. If you're wondering it, chances are good someone on StackOverflow has asked it.

Other than that, click around your new VM, create files, find programs, etc. If you really get stuck, I'll try and help, but keep in mind I may very well be searching StackOverflow myself. XD

The other cool thing about VMs is that you can try multiple operating systems, i.e. Linux Mint (https://linuxmint-installation-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/) which is pretty user-friendly, as I recall.

Once you get to the point where you actually want to install Linux, you'll want to back up your computer to an external hard drive so you can restore from the backup if something goes wrong, and then follow the instructions for your chosen Linux distro. LibreOffice runs on Linux and can open most Microsoft file types, so you shouldn't need to move your files to a different type, you'll just need to copy them somewhere (like another external hard drive or a thumb drive) and then copy them back when you're done with the installation. Obligatory word of warning: installing Linux on your actual machine, as opposed to a VM, WILL OVERWRITE YOUR ENTIRE HARD DRIVE. Do this with caution. Restoring from a backup is possible, so as long as you backed everything up you will not lose any data, but it can be a pain in the neck and if you're not particularly tech-savvy, you may have to go to a computer repair store to get them to do it.

Now, as to your question about learning to code: this requires no VM and no new installation; you can start doing that today. There are almost infinite tutorials online about how to start coding. CodeCademy.com is a pretty decent one, as I recall, though it's been a long time since I used it. There's also a channel on YouTube called BroCode that puts up free 'how to get started in this programming language' tutorials, which are pretty beginner-friendly. I would recommend that you start with either Python or Java (NOT JavaScript; it's not the same thing as Java, and it's a really annoying programming language, so don't do that to yourself). Python has syntax that is more similar to English than most programming languages and it is pretty powerful, but it may confuse you when you start moving to other programming languages. Java is less immediately comprehensible but probably more representative of programming languages as a whole.

Hope this helps! Feel free to send me follow-up questions or ask for clarification if I lapsed into tech-speak and this doesn't make sense.

[thepopemobile]

How to host local Club Penguin Private Server (CPPS) on Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3) thru play.localserver & Solero's Wand install.

I spent so long looking for a solution to this that I want to contribute what worked for me. I got so frustrated looking for something that worked, and I hope this guide will help others avoid that frustration.

This is NOT a guide on hosting or serving a CPPS. This is a guide on making a CPPS playable by locally hosting your server on your Silicon M1/M2/M3 Macbook. This worked on my M3 Macbook, and, in my experience, it seems the newer the hardware/operating system gets, the harder it is accomplish this.

DISCLAIMER *I do not know very much about this topic. I can paste commands into terminal and execute them, I know how to install DMG files I downloaded from the internet (the bar is in hell, I am aware), and I know how to enter play.localhost to run this in a browser. I am no expert; this guide is for beginners like myself who want a CPPS. This is beginner-level stuff. If you want advice or need help hosting, refer to the Wand Github page, Solero's Dash (an actual web-hosting solution for Houdini/Wand), Solero's discord, or, when in doubt, Google it. (I recommend only asking for help in Solero's discord for help AFTER trying your best to search for a solution, and even after that, trying to search key terms in their chat logs. They often have to repeat the same advice over, and over, and over again.)*

TLDR; IDK shit about shit

USING WAND INSTALLER

wand description from github: Wand makes it easy to configure dash, houdini and a media server utilizing docker & docker-compose.

All the assets are located here.

Installation instructions from the above link:

Installation script 1. run the script: bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/solero/wand/master/install.sh) 2. Answer Questions which are: Database password (Leave blank for random password) Hostname (example: clubpenguin.com) (Leave empty for localhost) External IP Address (Leave empty for localhost) 3. Run and enjoy. Run this command: $ cd wand && sudo docker-compose up

The steps I took:

1. Install Docker via Terminal & Homebrew.

Installing the Docker DMG file did not work properly when I tried. I realized later that Docker is seperate from Docker Desktop (the DMG file). I got Docker to work by using Terminal to install Homebrew, and then using Homebrew to install Docker.

Indented text = paste into Terminal.

Command to install Homebrew:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Ensure Homebrew is installed:

brew --version

Install Docker:

brew install docker

Recommended: Install Docker Desktop (useful in determining if your server is running, stopped, or stuck in a restart loop).

brew install --cask docker

Run Docker Desktop:

open -a Docker

2. Run installation script:

bash <(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/solero/wand/master/install.sh)

From Github instructions:

Answer Questions which are:

Database password (Leave blank for random password)

Hostname (example: clubpenguin.com) (Leave empty for localhost)

External IP Address (Leave empty for localhost)

3. $ cd wand && sudo docker-compose up

This is what is provided in the Github. This command didn't work on Mac; I believe it's formatted for Linux OS. Here's how I broke it up and enabled it to run from Mac's Terminal.

Navigate to Wand directory:

cd wand

Double-check if you're in the right directory:

ls

Start Docker container:

docker-compose up

If the above doesn't work, try

docker compose up

or

brew install docker-compose

Takes a second...

Ensure Docker is running:

docker info

If it isn't, open the Docker Desktop application.

*After using compose up, this error may appear:*

WARN[0000] /Users/[user]/wand/docker-compose.yml: the attribute version is obsolete, it will be ignored, please remove it to avoid potential confusion

This is harmless. If you get annoyed by errors, this can be solved by:

nano docker-compose.yml

See Version 3.7 at the top? Delete that line.

Ctrl-X (NOT COMMAND-X) to exit, Y to save, Enter.

PLAY.LOCALHOST

Type http://PLAY.LOCALHOST into a browser.

Create a penguin.

Try logging in that penguin:

This step was agony. I'm not savvy with running obsolete or deprecated software, and, of course, Club Penguin (and Houdini/Wand's assest) uses Flash, which was discontinued, and timebombed by Adobe, in 2021.

I tried Ruffle. Club Penguin Journey uses Ruffle, so why can't I?

Running Ruffle in Firefox:

No luck.

In the Solero discord, they'll direct to this blog post:

This method does not work on Mac M1/M2/M3. The program is "out of date" and you cannot run it. It works on Macbook's running Sonoma and backward. I'm on an M3 running Sequoia.

they'll often post this video in the discord:

In theory, this method should work, and it does for many, but for whatever reason, not on my M3. I tried different versions of Ungoogled, I tried so many different patches of Pepperflash, and it never cooperated. I tried Pepperflash, I tried Fast Patch!, I tried dedicated Flash browsers, running Flash plugins for Pale Moon, Ungoogled, Waterfox, but I could never get past him.

Every time I see this stupid penguin's face I'm filled with rage. But I am going to save you that rage!!!

If you get this method to work, yay! I could not. Maybe I don't know enough about patching, maybe I'm a little tech stupid.

WHAT WORKED: Using a dedicated CPPS desktop application that allows you to plug in a URL.

I give you...

He is your solution, your answer to

I discovered this solution through Solero's Discord, when someone answered a question re: playing online.

Waddle Forever was not what I was looking forever, but I noticed in their credits:

The electron client is originally forked from the Club Penguin Avalanche client. The server is based in solero's works in reverse engineering the Club Penguin server (Houdini server emulator). The media server is also mostly from solero's media servers.

And that's how I found out the solution: Using CPA Client

Download the CPAvalanche Client

It runs Adode Flash x64. Easy peasy.

(the instructions are in Portuguese, but for English users:

Navigate to releases.

And download this one:

Once downloaded, open.

Drag into applications.

Run http://play.localhost through the client:

Open CPAvalanche Client. It will direct you to CPAvalance once loaded, but you're here because you want to play play.localhost.

Navigate to CPAvalanche Client next to your Apple. Click Mudar a URL do Club Penguin.

Press Sim.

URL: http://play.localhost

Ok.

Press Login once the page loads, and...

That's it! No more penguin! Have fun :)

CREDITS:

Solero Discord / Waddle Forever / Wand / CPA Client / Solero.Me

[digitaldetoxworld]

Building Your Own Operating System: A Beginner’s Guide

An operating system (OS) is an essential component of computer systems, serving as an interface between hardware and software. It manages system resources, provides services to users and applications, and ensures efficient execution of processes. Without an OS, users would have to manually manage hardware resources, making computing impractical for everyday use.

Lightweight operating system for old laptops

Functions of an Operating System

Operating systems perform several crucial functions to maintain system stability and usability. These functions include:

1. Process Management

 The OS allocates resources to processes and ensures fair execution while preventing conflicts. It employs algorithms like First-Come-First-Serve (FCFS), Round Robin, and Shortest Job Next (SJN) to optimize CPU utilization and maintain system responsiveness.

2. Memory Management

The OS tracks memory usage and prevents memory leaks by implementing techniques such as paging, segmentation, and virtual memory. These mechanisms enable multitasking and improve overall system performance.

3. File System Management

It provides mechanisms for reading, writing, and deleting files while maintaining security through permissions and access control. File systems such as NTFS, FAT32, and ext4 are widely used across different operating systems.

4. Device Management

 The OS provides device drivers to facilitate interaction with hardware components like printers, keyboards, and network adapters. It ensures smooth data exchange and resource allocation for input/output (I/O) operations.

5. Security and Access Control

 It enforces authentication, authorization, and encryption mechanisms to protect user data and system integrity. Modern OSs incorporate features like firewalls, anti-malware tools, and secure boot processes to prevent unauthorized access and cyber threats.

6. User Interface

 CLI-based systems, such as Linux terminals, provide direct access to system commands, while GUI-based systems, such as Windows and macOS, offer intuitive navigation through icons and menus.

Types of Operating Systems

Operating systems come in various forms, each designed to cater to specific computing needs. Some common types include:

1. Batch Operating System

These systems were widely used in early computing environments for tasks like payroll processing and scientific computations.

2. Multi-User Operating System

 It ensures fair resource allocation and prevents conflicts between users. Examples include UNIX and Windows Server.

3. Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

RTOS is designed for time-sensitive applications, where processing must occur within strict deadlines. It is used in embedded systems, medical devices, and industrial automation. Examples include VxWorks and FreeRTOS.

4  Mobile Operating System

Mobile OSs are tailored for smartphones and tablets, offering touchscreen interfaces and app ecosystems. 

5  Distributed Operating System

Distributed OS manages multiple computers as a single system, enabling resource sharing and parallel processing. It is used in cloud computing and supercomputing environments. Examples include Google’s Fuchsia and Amoeba.

Popular Operating Systems

Several operating systems dominate the computing landscape, each catering to specific user needs and hardware platforms.

1. Microsoft Windows

 It is popular among home users, businesses, and gamers. Windows 10 and 11 are the latest versions, offering improved performance, security, and compatibility.

2. macOS

macOS is Apple’s proprietary OS designed for Mac computers. It provides a seamless experience with Apple hardware and software, featuring robust security and high-end multimedia capabilities.

3. Linux

Linux is an open-source OS favored by developers, system administrators, and security professionals. It offers various distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian, each catering to different user preferences.

4. Android

It is based on the Linux kernel and supports a vast ecosystem of applications.

5. iOS

iOS is Apple’s mobile OS, known for its smooth performance, security, and exclusive app ecosystem. It powers iPhones and iPads, offering seamless integration with other Apple devices.

Future of Operating Systems

The future of operating systems is shaped by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and edge computing. Some key trends include:

1. AI-Driven OS Enhancements

AI-powered features, such as voice assistants and predictive automation, are becoming integral to modern OSs. AI helps optimize performance, enhance security, and personalize user experiences.

2. Cloud-Based Operating Systems

Cloud OSs enable users to access applications and data remotely. Chrome OS is an example of a cloud-centric OS that relies on internet connectivity for most functions.

3. Edge Computing Integration

With the rise of IoT devices, edge computing is gaining importance. Future OSs will focus on decentralized computing, reducing latency and improving real-time processing.

4. Increased Focus on Security

Cyber threats continue to evolve, prompting OS developers to implement advanced security measures such as zero-trust architectures, multi-factor authentication, and blockchain-based security.

[griefabyss69]

can i ask how you installed linux on your laptop? ive been thinking about doing it for a while but dont really know what i need to do to prep for it

I'm just a beginner too so I totally understand how confusing it all seems but it's not too bad if you take your time! This is going to be as quick as possible, and I'm going to assume you're choosing the Linux Mint version of Linux because it's a widely accepted opinion that it's the best for people new to this OS. (You can always add another version of Linux or change to it later on once you've had success with this!)

Note: You'll need a USB stick with at least 4GB on it, and you will want to have it dedicated to the Linux install

Back everything up! How you do this is up to you. I did it by saving anything important to an External HD (I already have a clean install of windows on a CD). If you don't have a clean install of your current OS, you can burn a restore point to a CD or DVD, or put it on a USB stick. Note: You'll be able to access all of your files on your current harddrive even after partitioning and booting on Linux! So you don't need to make two copies or transfer things over. If you have an account for your browser, sync your tabs/passwords/history/etc for a muuuuch smoother transition! Linux comes with Firefox already installed, so if you don't currently use it but want to make the change, you can port your bookmarks in from Chrome.

Get information about your system: You'll want to know your current OS (mine was Windows 7), what graphics card you have, how much RAM (memory) your computer has, and what kind of booting your system does (BIOS or UEFI), and of course, how much space on your harddrive there is. Note: I use "harddrive" to mean wherever you're installing your OS, some people install it on an external HD, or an SSD and run it from there.

Pick which distribution of Linux to install: While you can install whichever one you want, Linux Mint is the safest bet for someone new to Linux - if your computer can run a Windows or Mac OS, it can run the version of Linux Mint called Cinnamon. And that's the one that's the most user friendly. It's a great way to learn how to use the Terminal (like command prompts on Windows) in a low stress way because you still have the User Interface. It also has a robust community with plenty of information/resources out there! Super helpful. If your computer doesn't have enough space (though Cinnamon does not take up much at all, I think people say something around 165GB for Linux Mint Cinnamon), Mate is smaller and XCFE is the smallest, though they are less beginner friendly.

Decide how you want to install it: Here is an installation guide I used to get Linux Mint. Some of it I had to read a few times and only really understood once I did it, but with my backups I did it without fear. I recommend doing a Dual Boot system if you have the space, partitioning your hard drive is not nearly as complicated as I thought it'd be and also it's good for if Linux doesn't have a version for some programs you like to use. Here's another installation guide, though I think it only focuses on going from Windows to Linux. It has some great tips for post-installation though if you're not going from Windows. It also assumes you didn't pre-partition your harddrive. I partitioned mine before installation so I used the "Something Else" option when it asked me which type of install I wanted. There are instructions on that in the first installation guide! P.s. - If you're on Windows 7, the recommended USB writer program isn't available for you. I used USBImager!

Wrap up any loose ends and do web searches for anything you're not sure of. Bring things up on your phone for reference while you're mid-install. NOTE: When you boot your computer from the USB Stick with Linux Mint on it (I'm assuming other varieties of Linux too?), you have the option to try it out without installing it. Then while you're trying it out if you're ready to install it, there's an icon on the desktop you click. If you don't install it, none of your settings or anything will save and the next time you boot from the USB stick it'll be a fresh version of Linux.

https://forums.linuxmint.com/ There are mountains of information in here! And plenty of them are helpful for beginners. https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/first-mint-cinnamon.html This is helpful too!!! The whole site is.

If you don't like how something looks/feels/works, there's probably a system setting for it. Do a Timeshift snapshot when you first install Linux, then one after you've spent time setting everything up! That way you're covered. After you do that second Timeshift you can start looking for programs to install if you'd like! Definitely look up tutorials/etc on that.

Okay I hope this was enough to get your started and cover a lot of bases! Remember to have patience, re-read stuff, take breaks if you're confused, and that like a million people use Linux Mint successfully so once you get through the hard part (pre-install and installing) it's pretty smooth sailing.

Let me know if you have anymore questions!