Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Command line tricks for smart geeks

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

This article collects together a number of useful linux command-line tricks from Linux Format.

Everyone knows the answer to the question of life, the universe and everything is “42″, but for the first time we can reveal the question. It is this: how many command-line tricks must a man memorise? You see, graphical user interfaces are all well and good, but when you want to get real work done it’s time to switch to the terminal.

And so, we squeezed our brain cells, dug through dusty piles of old issues of Linux Format, and sat reflecting quietly over many a pint of ale, all with the goal of bringing you this: 42 awesome new command line tricks we think you ought to commit to memory. We’ve tried to include a few that are easier for our, er, less-experienced readers to enjoy, but we think even the most hardened Linux veteran will learn something new over the next 12,000 words.

Middle-Click to Open Firefox Links in a New Foreground Tab

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Here is a variation of a useful shortcut you might not be aware of. Just include the Shift key when you want to open a link in a new tab in the foreground rather than in the background. It also works for Control-clicks.

It is common knowledge that middle-clicking on a link opens it in a new background tab, but pressing shift while middle-clicking opens it in a new foreground tab. This especially comes in handy when you’ve got dozens of tabs open and don’t want to shuffle through all your tabs to find the one you just opened.