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Guide to faster Ubuntu
Ubuntu is already pretty speedy compared to some bloated OSes out there, but here’s a way to make it a bit faster.
Installing & Using TimeVault in Ubuntu/Debian
TimeVault is a simple front-end for making snapshots of a set of directories. Snapshots are a copy of a directory structure or file at a certain point in time. Restore functionality is integrated into Nautilus - previous versions of a file or directory that has a snapshot can be accessed by examining the properties and selecting the ‘Previous Versions’ tab.
Snapshots are protected from accidental deletion or modification since they are read-only by default. The super-user can delete intermediate snapshots to save space, but files and directories that existed before or after the deletion will still be accessible.
A snapshot is a copy of a directory at a certain point in time. Snapshots don’t use space for the files that haven’t changed but instead simply increment the link count for them. On Linux, when a file is deleted, the link count is decremented, but it isn’t actually removed until the link count hits zero.
Only files are hard-linked this way. Directories have to be recreated for technical reasons (since a hard-link is actually the file it points to, you would find yourself in a completely different path if directories were hard-linked).
How to use the Uncomplicated Firewall in Ubuntu
Don’t want to mess with iptables? (1, 2, 3) Well in Ubuntu there’s an easier way with the Uncomplicated Firewall. Originally posted at Ubuntu Unleashed and further covered at the Ubuntu Wiki.
Here is an overview on howto use ufw the Uncomplicated Firewall. Enjoy.
Encrypt Your Ubuntu During Install
Data encryption is one of the best methods to protect your sensitive files, especially if you own a laptop. Unfortunately, on the Ubuntu operating system, it’s only available in the text mode installer. But that’s why this guide is here, to help you install a fully encrypted Ubuntu OS on your computer. whole process is completely safe and it is recommended to be used by anyone out there who wants to protect his/her sensitive data. To break it down to you: No more living in fear! Your data will NOT be stolen anymore!
Also See: Encrypted Root File System during install in OpenSuse 10.3
Preventing Debian Package Upgrades
The simple mechanism Debian has for performing package upgrades, apt-get, is often touted as a good thing and indeed it is. But sometimes you will have a package installed that you absolutely do not want to be upgraded.
There are two ways that you can achieve this, depending on what it is that you’re trying to achieve.
If you have a locally modified package which you don’t want to upgrade then you can put this on “hold”. This means that even if a newer version of that package is available it will not be upgraded. Ever.
This does mean that you run the risk of being behind the curve, and missing out on a security fix, but that’s something that you will have to deal with yourself.
Apturl: Install software by clicking a link in Ubuntu
Imagine the next time you are trying reading a great list of Ubuntu programs. One of them catches your eye, and you want to try it. Instead of either using Add/Remove or opening a terminal to install the program, you simply click a link. A message box pops up asking you if you want to install the program, and then you enter your password. Before you could have found the program in Add/Remove, the program is installed! With Apturl, this is now a reality.
How to find the UUID of a device in Ubuntu
This is useful if changes are made to the partition table or a new hard drive is added to the computer. When the UUID(s) change an error will be caused during boot. Pressing <Ctrl>-D will allow the boot to continue but to fix the problem you’ll need the UUID of the device.
Enable the root account in Ubuntu
Ubuntu is one of the few Linux distributions out there that does not enable the root account by default. If you want to do something with root permission on the console you have to type sudo before the command. “sudo” means superuser do. “sudo” will prompt for you password. Everytime you wish to perform a function with root privledges, you would issue the sudo command first.
Use dpkg to install packages in Ubunt & Debian
I’ve written about using apt-get to install packages in Ubuntu and Debian. This function pulls mainly from repositories, but what to do with a package that’s already downloaded into your home directory or Desktop?
Using the apt-get application is the quickest way to find and install debian packages. The installation part is done by an application named dpkg. Dpkg doesn’t have to be used by apt-get, you can use it manually as well.
Installing an RPM file in Ubuntu/Debian
If you have an rpm file for a package you wish to install, and if you cannot find a .deb debian package in any of the Ubuntu repositories or elsewhere, you can use the alien package converter application to install the .rpm file.