Linux tips

Jza · Post by **Jza** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:36 am

Recently I listened to Chess Linux Reality podcast, he has been asking for Linux Tips. After some good thought I have to differenciate between using a new tool vs using a tool better. A tip is not throwing new apps, but using the same apps better. Here is where I would like to discuss what would be a Linux Tip.

I submit my tip about using the Run Command and launching apps from it. I think is a tip since I am using the Run command better than windows but is really the common way of using the run command.

I wonder what other think about linux tips.

schotty · Post by **schotty** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 1:51 pm

Tips rock

johnnywtllts · Post by **johnnywtllts** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:19 pm

Jza,

I didn't quite understand what you were proposing; are you saying that windows users should use the Run command to launch apps?, or are you talking about launching Linux apps from a command in a Terminal.

If I remember correctly, there has been at least one TWAT cast about Windows from the command line, and there was a TWAT episode last year about making the Windows command line behave like a BASH terminal.

Jza · Post by **Jza** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:42 am

No, I mean Linux users should use the run command. Is usually faster than going through the menu.

I am not talking about the terminal, I am just talking about the run command which is I guess a GUI Terminal. Both windows and Linux have that from the start menu. However the big difference is that in windows you need to specify the whole path to be able to launch an application. So if you want to launch firefox on Windows you need to type something like:

Code: Select all

 C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

However on linux you just need to type firefox and that will be the end of it. There are ways to put the path on an enviromental variable in Windows however since every app path is unique, this makes it really hard to actually perform.

You get it now?

johnnywtllts · Post by **johnnywtllts** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:45 pm

Okay, cool. Yeah, I'll try to remember that. I've been in the habit of always opening a terminal to do that, but your suggestion is quicker.

Is there a way to use the "Run" menu item to launch an app as root, if you're not logged in as root?

Jza · Post by **Jza** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 12:51 pm

sudo maybe. I am not sure about this, I know that some apps if you need root permissions an 'insert password' dialog will be launched. I use mandriva and this happens when I type mcc (mandriva control center). Also the run command usually have a checkbox saying run in terminal window.

KDE has Run as different user, different priority, and realtime scheduling. This options are not available on xfce/gnome thought. So it depends on which desktop enviroment/wm you are using.

But yes, typing Ctrl-F2 is a faster option than going to the mouse, locating the terminal window and typing the application name.

Gomer_X · Post by **Gomer_X** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:42 am

Jza wrote:No, I mean Linux users should use the run command. Is usually faster than going through the menu.

I never use the menu. I use launchers in the Gnome panel. One click.

Jza wrote:I am not talking about the terminal, I am just talking about the run command which is I guess a GUI Terminal. Both windows and Linux have that from the start menu. However the big difference is that in windows you need to specify the whole path to be able to launch an application. So if you want to launch firefox on Windows you need to type something like:
Code: Select all
 C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

I've never had this problem. If an app is properly installed on Windows, it should be in your path. You should be able to type 'firefox' and have it launch. If it doesn't it's the app installer's fault, not Windows.

Jza · Post by **Jza** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:57 am

I think firefox does, but from all the windows apps, how many actually have this... the answer is very few. Firefox, winword, notepad, dreamweaver are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part apps are not automatically executed from the run command.