Until recently, and for well over the past decade, my wife and I have been nomads. Moving from the Caribbean to Miami, New York, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and now back home. This has meant that for many of those years, my home office basically comprised of a few laptops and screens. These days, we are […]
Generating Secure Passwords for your Linux Server
Update: March 4th 2024: While the guidance below – originally provided in 2013 – emphasizes the creation and management of secure passwords, more than a decade later, it’s important to recognize and advocate for the use of passwordless authentication methods wherever feasible. Authentication keys for SSH, biometric authentication, and single sign-on (SSO) are exemplary alternatives that […]
Apache Performance: Disable .htaccess
In 2013, while seeking a detailed guide on performance enhancements for a StackLinux client, I began a quest to find an article that explained the impact of WordPress Caching plugins—specifically, how those utilizing .htaccess might be less efficient than their counterparts. This search turned out to be unexpectedly time-consuming, but it eventually led me to this […]
Choosing Linux Terminal Emulators – Discussion and List
The terminal emulator stands as an unsung hero, bridging the gap between user and machine with a blend of simplicity and power. As we delve into the world of terminal emulators, we uncover a landscape rich in diversity and innovation. From the classic simplicity of XTerm to the modern, Rust-powered elegance of Warp, terminal emulators […]
Tuning MySQL my.cnf? Avoid this common pitfall!
It took me some time to decide on the title of this article. MariaDB has been fast replacing MySQL as many Linux distributions now default to MariaDB over MySQL. MariaDB is an enhanced drop-in replacement for MySQL. Therein lies my predominantly self-made conundrum, MySQL or MariaDB? The MySQL tuning advice below applies to MySQL, MariaDB […]
SCP Linux – Securely Copy Files Using SCP examples
This post includes SCP examples. SCP or secure copy allows the secure transferring of files between a local host and a remote host or between two remote hosts. It uses the same authentication and security as the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol from which it is based. SCP is loved for its simplicity, security, and pre-installed […]
Must-Have Devices to boost your Linux skills (2024)
Are you ready for a transformative journey that will elevate your Linux skills in ways theoretical learning alone can’t? The devices mentioned in this article offer a great way to get hands-on experience and change how you understand and use Linux skills in practical, everyday scenarios. 4 Linux Devices for Hands-On Learning Boosting your Linux […]
How to Kill Inactive SSH Sessions
Managing server connections efficiently is crucial for maintaining a smooth and secure IT environment. One such common challenge is dealing with inactive SSH sessions. These sessions can clutter your server, consuming resources and potentially posing security risks. In this article, we’ll explore practical methods to identify and terminate these idle connections. We’ll delve into the […]
htop and top Alternatives: Glances, nmon
In this article, we explore alternatives to htop and top, namely, Glances and nmon. These tools present unique approaches and functionalities, potentially serving as replacements or supplements to the classic top and htop duo. Join us as we uncover the features and benefits of Glances and nmon, and whether they could be the next staples […]
Linux Commands frequently used by Linux Sysadmins – Part 1
What are some Linux commands used by Sysadmins and power users daily? In this article, I’ve listed 10 such commands frequently used. Suggestions and feedback are welcome. Also, see Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. Some people consider Linux a complicated operating system geared toward expert users only. However, as a free and […]