Ubuntu is a Linux distribution with an emphasis on ease of use and installation. Note that http://askubuntu.com is specifically dedicated to Ubuntu questions.
47
votes
7answers
9k views
What is the Linux equivalent to C:\Program Files?
I understand that in Windows as well as Linux and Unix, a program|application|software can be installed in any directory. Also if packages are installed using the distribution's packaging system, ...
35
votes
11answers
27k views
How can I get distribution name and version number in a simple shell script?
I'm working on a simple bash script that should be able to run on Ubuntu and CentOS distributions (support for Debian and Fedora/RHEL would be a plus) and I need to know the name and version of the ...
29
votes
1answer
7k views
What is $debian_chroot in .bashrc?
What is the debian_chroot variable in my bashrc file? and what is it doing here?
PS1='${debian_chroot:+($debian_chroot)}\u@\h:\w\$ '
24
votes
4answers
2k views
How to recover from a chmod -R 000 /bin?
And now I am unable to chmod it back.. or use any of my other system programs. Luckily this is on a VM I've been toying with, but is there any way to resolve this? The system is Ubuntu Server 12.10.
...
21
votes
7answers
13k views
How to copy text from vim to an external program?
I'm trying to copy-paste some text from vim. I'm doing v to enter visual mode, then y once I selected my block.
It appears to copy the text into vim's clipboard, because p will paste it.
But in ...
20
votes
2answers
9k views
How do I run 32-bit programs on a 64-bit Ubuntu?
I have a 64-bit (amd64 a.k.a. x86_64) Debian or Ubuntu installation. I need to run 32-bit (i386/i686) programs occasionally, or to compile programs for a 32-bit system. How can I do this with a ...
19
votes
4answers
2k views
What doesn't need defragmentation? Linux or the ext2 ext3 FS?
Why don't you have to defrag a Linux system? Because it's using the ext2/ext3 file system or because it's Linux?
That's relevant, because a have a double boot system (W7 / Ubuntu) and a common ...
18
votes
7answers
13k views
Differences between Debian and Ubuntu
I'm getting sick of Ubuntu's seemingly random changes. I'm thinking of switching to Debian permanently. Does anyone know if there's a list of changes between the two distros somewhere? I want to know ...
18
votes
6answers
4k views
Force directory to always be in cache
I've been testing out different methods to improve the time it takes to compile my entire c++ project. Currently it takes ~5 minutes. I experimented with distcc, ccache, and others. Recently, I ...
16
votes
6answers
15k views
Create services in Linux (Start up in linux)
I need one process run before log in to system. how to run it like services?(how do I make services in Linux?)
in Ubuntu and Fedora ?
the service is customized tomcat
15
votes
6answers
2k views
15
votes
4answers
2k views
What makes CentOS “enterprisey” compared to “generic” distributions like Ubuntu?
What makes CentOS "enterprisey" compared to "generic" distributions like Ubuntu?
When I say "enterprisey" I actually mean "better for server deployments". Just a general question, because I was ...
14
votes
3answers
4k views
bulk rename (or correctly display) files with special characters
I have a bunch of directories and subdirectories that contain files with special characters, like this file:
robbie@phil:~$ ls test�sktest.txt
test?sktest.txt
Find reveals an escape sequence:
...
13
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I de-fragment a drive using Ubuntu?
Is it necessary to defrag drives in Ubuntu? If so, how do I do it and how often should it be done?
13
votes
4answers
8k views
How can I play a sound when script execution is ready?
I am executing every now and then some python scripts which take quite long to execute.
I execute them like this:
$ time python MyScript.py
How can I play a sound as soon as the execution of the ...
