Linux Format

Terminal learning

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With reference to Ian Sheppard’s letter in LXF310, where he does not think that he can learn to use the terminal, old age is not the limiting factor. I am in my 93rd year, but was very interested in home computers from the time that they first became available in the 1980s. It is the level of one’s passion for the subject that determines the extent of one’s ability to master the use of the terminal, and also to write a program.

I was happy with Windows XP, but not with its replacemen­t, so after that I tried Linux, mainly Ubuntu. I’m now using 22.04.3 LTS. I use the terminal to install and remove programs – it’s the easiest way to do it.

In recent years, the systems have got more and more complicate­d, sometimes resulting in problems – browsers, for example. I got frustrated with Firefox and Chromium as they wouldn’t hold my settings. However, Microsoft Edge worked perfectly! Recently, Linux Format referred to the Brave browser. It also works, so out with Edge and in with Brave.

Another problem: a new HP inkjet printer. After a new installati­on of Ubuntu 22.04.3, the printer works perfectly for five or six days, then it won’t work at all. A complicate­d renewal of the driver sometimes restores action, sometimes not. After a fresh installati­on of Ubuntu, it works OK for a while. I have just bought a second-hand Brother inkjet printer and it works all the time. Well, anything is better than Windows 11!

Bryan Mitchell

Neil says…

I can’t blame anyone for not wanting to use the terminal, and on the whole, you don’t have to. It’s just that for troublesho­oting and plenty of maintenanc­e jobs, it’s way more efficient. In some ways, though, it is easier than a GUI – you might have to navigate a whole list of GUI prompts, while you could copy and paste a single terminal command. But as I said, it’s not a good argument, as Windows often provides Powershell fixes, which, last time I checked, is a terminal.

As for your printer trouble, apparently ippusbxd can cause a conflict. You can remove it with this handy

terminal line: sudo apt remove ippusbxd . Then reinstall your HP software.

?? ?? The flight plan that crashed the entire UK Air Traffic Control system; the software is, of course, proprietar­y.
The flight plan that crashed the entire UK Air Traffic Control system; the software is, of course, proprietar­y.
?? ?? Even with good software, interferen­ce can ruin your listening pleasure.
Even with good software, interferen­ce can ruin your listening pleasure.

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