Emacs is a wonderful tool that can do just about anything. While it is a text editor, It can function as an email client, RSS reader and even music player too. If you are an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) user, it is also possible to use IRC from inside Emacs. This can be useful if you want to chat with others through IRC but do not want to leave your Emacs buffer.

Also read:5 Useful Emacs Packages for Better Productivity

What is IRC and ERC?

In a basic sense, IRC is a protocol that allows two or more people to communicate through text over the internet. Unlike newer chat platforms, IRC solely relies on being able to communicate over plain text. This approach, in turn,... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/use-irc-in-emacs-with-erc/feed/ 0 https://www.maketecheasier.com/convert-images-linux-command-line/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/convert-images-linux-command-line/#respond Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:25:00 +0000 https://www.maketecheasier.com/?p=151213

If you are a Linux user and prefer the Terminal to any other graphical applications, then you will be happy to know that you can also resize, convert, and optimize your images directly in the Terminal with ImageMagick. ImageMagick is a suite of tools for Linux which allows you to manipulate images from the command line. It’s also the image processor behind many graphics-related applications. Here we will show you how to resize your images from the Terminal.

Also read:How to Batch Resize Images with XnConvert

Installing ImageMagick

Before we start, we need to first install ImageMagick on our system.

On Ubuntu or any Debian-based distro:

As Linux users, we’re often spoiled for choice when it comes to software. There are some basic programs that we keep coming back to that are so integrated into the stack that we forget they’re even there. However, when it comes to things like desktop environments, it can be hard to determine the best option for exactly what you’re going to use it for. We have reviewed different Linux Desktop Environments, and there’s a lot of overlap between use cases. Here we show you the best Linux Desktop Environments for your particular use case.

Note: the following list is not listed in any particular order, and Window Managers are not included.

1. GNOME Shell

For (New) Laptop Users

For users of new laptops, I would recommend GNOME. One thing is for sure: Gnome is not the easiest to use straightaway. Its design... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/best-desktop-environments/feed/ 13 https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-tips-compile-linux-kernel/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-tips-compile-linux-kernel/#respond Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:25:00 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?post_type=pitch&p=477257

The Linux Kernel is a brilliant piece of software engineering. At more than a million lines of code, it is arguably one of the most complex programs that is still in active development today. Since the late 1990s, the Linux kernel has been used in both computationally intensive projects as well as barebones embedded applications.

Also read:5 Best Linux-Libre Distributions for Better Security

What is a Kernel and Why Configure It?

Despite all of that, the Linux kernel is just a program that serves as a link between the hardware in your computer and the software that you use everyday. It is what allows... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-tips-compile-linux-kernel/feed/ 0 https://www.maketecheasier.com/cheatsheet/emacs-keyboard-shortcuts/ Wed, 29 Jun 2022 00:25:00 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?p=485185

Emacs is a fully-featured text editor that is both powerful and extensible out of the box, without needing to install any additional packages to make it work. With Emacs, you can easily manipulate text and files by executing Lisp commands. These commands, in turn, are then bound to a series of simple keybindings which allows you to focus on what you need to do.

Download this Cheatsheet

Enter your email below to receive this PDF cheatsheet in your Inbox.

Also read:5 Hidden Features You Can Use to Improve Emacs

How does Beamer work?

While writing or editing text in LibreOffice, there are times where you need to change the color of the text or the background. LibreOffice comes with its own set of color palette that you choose the color from and it is easily accessible from the toolbar. The problem is that if you want to use a custom color which is not available in the palette, you are out of luck because there are no visible options for you to add your own color to the palette.

If you are looking for a solution, here’s the fix:

1. In your LibreOffice, either Writer, Calc or Impress, go to “Format -> Page Style” in the menu bar.

2. In the popup window, click on the Background tab, follow by the Color button.

3. Under the New section, you can modify any of the default color, or add in your own custom RGB value. If you have no idea what the RGB... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/add-custom-color-in-libreoffice/feed/ 0 https://www.maketecheasier.com/use-dd-command-linux/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/use-dd-command-linux/#respond Thu, 23 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?p=459549

   dd is one of the most important commands in Linux, mostly used in backing up hard disks and partitions. When utilized correctly, dd can be a powerful tool for writing data from one partition to another and performing different tasks with files. Here we show you how to put the dd command to good use.

   Content

   • The Story of dd
   • Basic Operands
   • Creating a Disk Image
   • Saving a Disk Image to a Partition
   • Creating a Compressed Disk Image
   • Specifying a Block Size
   • Wiping a Hard Disk
   • Creating a Bootable USB Drive
   • Cloning Specific Partitions using dd
   • Dumping the Contents of a CD using dd
   • Burning the ISO Dump to CD
   • Frequently Asked Questions

   Also read:5 Arch Linux Distros That Are Easier to Install and Use

   The Story of dd

   The command was originally developed... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/use-dd-command-linux/feed/ 0 https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-ubuntu-cannot-open-terminal/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-ubuntu-cannot-open-terminal/#respond Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:25:17 +0000 https://www.maketecheasier.com/?p=350925

   You can’t get the terminal in your Ubuntu machine to open. What can you do? While this issue seldom happens, it is a fact that the problem exists and can happen to you at anytime. Read on to learn what to do when your Ubuntu machine can’t open its terminal.

   Content

   • Are You Missing the Icon?
   • Is There a Software Conflict?
   • Is the Terminal's Configuration Mangled?
   • Do Your Locales Need To Be Regenerated?
   • Re-Install or Use an Alternative
   • Frequently Asked Questions

   Also read:How to Fix Can’t Type in Terminal Issue in Linux

   Are You Missing the Icon?

   If you’re only missing the icon from which you used to run the terminal, that doesn’t mean the actual terminal itself is gone. You can find it among the rest of your installed apps, through Ubuntu’s activities menu.

   ... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/fix-ubuntu-cannot-open-terminal/feed/ 0 https://www.maketecheasier.com/cheatsheet/audacity-keyboard-shortcuts/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 17:25:26 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?p=485188

   Audacity is a powerful free audio manipulation program available for modern operating systems. Unlike other free audio processing programs, Audacity stands out as one of the most feature-complete open source project out of all of them. In that, it can manage, edit, and mix multiple audio tracks in a single timeline.

   Furthermore, being open source means that Audacity is constantly up-to-date with the latest audio standards, ensuring the ability to adapt any project that you do in Audacity for future audio formats and specifications. Lastly, Audacity is also available on all major operating systems. This ultimately means that even if you change your operating system today, you will most likely still be able to use Audacity.

   

   Download this Cheatsheet

   Enter your email below to receive this PDF cheatsheet in your Inbox.

   Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-latex-documents-with-emacs/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-latex-documents-with-emacs/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:25:07 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?post_type=pitch&p=470668

   Emacs is often thought of as a programmer’s text editor. It has an extensible programming support as well as the ability to automatically evaluate expressions within files. But one thing that Emacs also does well is allowing users to compose beautiful documents with LaTeX through Org Mode.

   Content

   • What is LaTeX and Org Mode?
   • How to Install LaTeX and Org Mode
   • Create Your First LaTeX Document in Emacs
   • Add Sections and Subsections
   • Use Special Symbols
   • Add Images
   • Create Tables
   • How to Customize LaTeX's Preamble in Org Mode
   • How to Use LaTeX Plugins in Org Mode
   • Frequently Asked Questions

   Also read:How to Manage Git in Emacs with Magit

   What is LaTeX and Org Mode?

   LaTeX is a staple in academic writing. Its beautiful typography and near magic way of tracking references makes it attractive for both students and professors that... Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/create-latex-documents-with-emacs/feed/ 1 https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-python-one-liners/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-python-one-liners/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000 https://admin.maketecheasier.com/?p=443804

   Although it’s pushed well past the 30-year mark since its release, Python remains one of the most relevant high-level programming languages in existence. Many developers will opt to use this language to make applications that can easily be maintained and require minimal hand-holding to work in a number of operating systems and distributions of Linux.

   One of the greatest benefits of Python is its ability to snake (pun completely intended) around a lot of conventions found in other languages with little effort on behalf of the programmer, letting you compose incredibly simple little “quips” to get the job done. Here are a few examples!

   Content

   • 1. Swap Variables Around
   • 2. Do a Quick Napkin Factorial
   • 3. Initialize and Declare Multiple Variables
   • 4. Open and Read a File
   • 5. Write to a File
   • 6. Create a Ranged List of Numbers
   • 7. Display All Users (In Linux/Unix/BSD)
   • 8. Generate a Random Password
   • 9. Find Instances of Anything Within Text
   • 10. Convert Hexadecimal Expressions to Plaintext
   • Frequently Asked Questions

   Also read:Read more]]> https://www.maketecheasier.com/useful-python-one-liners/feed/ 2 https://www.maketecheasier.com/check-sudo-history-linux/ https://www.maketecheasier.com/check-sudo-history-linux/#respond Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000 https://www.maketecheasier.com/?p=357483

   When sharing your computer with others, and you’ve granted them sudo access, it’s prudent to monitor how they’re using it. Thankfully, it’s easy to check out sudo history. Let’s see how.

   Content

   • The Authentication Log
   • Making Sense of Chaos
   • Normal Bash
   • Journalctl
   • GUI-specific Programs
   • Frequently Asked Questions

   Also read:What Is Doas and How to Install It

   The Authentication Log

   Plenty of Linux services keep logs to help in troubleshooting problems. Thankfully, among other things, it also keeps a detailed list of precisely the information we seek in this article. In this list, you can check out who and when issued which command using sudo. To find this information, if you’re using a distribution based on Debian or Ubuntu, enter the following into your favorite terminal:

   sudo Read more]]>
   		
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   		https://www.maketecheasier.com/change-keyboard-layout-linux/
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   		Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:25:00 +0000
   				
   		
   		
   		https://www.maketecheasier.com/?post_type=post-ideas&p=292364
   
   					 
   When you spend any real length of time working on a computer, you learn that your preferences matter. Having your computer set up exactly as you like can make the difference between getting work done smoothly and dragging through something that’d otherwise be simple. Your keyboard and its layout are a major factor here, whether you’re writing, coding, or just relying on hotkeys.
       
   Even though they all have their own ways of handling it, every Linux desktop environment makes it simple to customize your keyboard layout for your language, region, and personal preference.
      
   Content
   LXDE
   GNOME/Budgie
   KDE Plasma
   XFCE
   Cinnamon
   MATE
   Enlightenment
   Frequently Asked Questions
      
   Also read:8 of the Best Linux Distros for Windows Users
       
   LXDE
       
   The Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment (LXDE) is a simple environment for modern Linux-based operating systems. Because it has... Read more]]>
   		
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   		http://maketecheasier.com/?p=16922
   
   					 
   If you owe an old iPod and are running Linux on your computer, you can use Rockbox to breathe life to your old music player. It enables you to use your iPod without iTunes while also improving on the default sound quality of the iPod. Rockbox is also customizable and really easy to install. Here we will show you how to use Rockbox in Linux.
      
   Content
   What is Rockbox and Why Install It
   Which iPods Are Compatible with Rockbox
   How to Obtain Rockbox
   How to Install Rockbox in Linux
   Detecting Your iPod in the Utility
   Setting up the Rockbox Configuration Utility
   Install Rockbox to Your iPod
   Backing Up and Removing Rockbox
   Frequently Asked Questions
      
   Also read:The Beginner’s Guide to Using Cron in Linux
       
   What is Rockbox and Why Install It
       
   Rockbox is an operating system for classic iPods. It is... Read more]]>
   		
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   		https://www.maketecheasier.com/copy-paste-files-linux-command-line/
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   		https://www.maketecheasier.com/?post_type=post-ideas&p=305454
   
   					 
   Copying and pasting is one of the most used actions on a computer. While it is easy to do so with the Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V keyboard shortcuts, on the Linux terminal it is not so straightforward. You have several options to get the job done. Here is how you can copy and paste text, files and directories in Linux terminal.
      
   Content
   Copy and Paste Text
   Copy and Paste a Single File
   Copy and Paste a Folder and Its Contents
   Copy and Paste Multiple Files
   Copy and Paste All Files of the Same Type
   Make Copying More Interactive
   Rsync vs CP
   Move a File or Folder
   Frequently Asked Questions
      
   Also read:How to Delete a Directory in Linux
       
   Copy and Paste Text
       
   If you just want to copy a piece of text in the terminal, all you need to do... Read more]]>
   		
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