Linux for the Layman: the Joy of Computing.

Episode 47 - Starting Out Commands for beginners 18.01.2026 16:46 ↓

I cover some of the most basic Linux commands a new user is likely to want to learn and play with. This includes pwd, cd, ls, echo, cat, cp, mv, rm, and touch. We're just scratching the surface here...

Episode 46 - cd and select aliases 29.10.2025 13:03 ↓

We go through the 'cd' command, its options, and some useful aliases. We also cover some of the "universal" options for most Linux commands.

Episode 45: which and tldr 14.09.2025 10:26 ↓

Discussion of the 'which' and 'tlrd' commands. Thank you for the comments.

Episode 44: I'm back, and 'grep' 03.09.2025 8:45 ↓

You get to find out why I've been absent for so long. Also, we'll take a mild dive into the grep command. Cheers!

Five basic Linux commands 09.03.2025 28:23 ↓

New: Subscription information included.

Episode 41 - Virtual Machines, CLI Functions, tldr 28.12.2024 32:55 ↓

What Virtual Machines are good for (evaluating Linux distros) and which ones to use. An example of how and why to use a Bash function. Overview of manual pages and the tldr command.

Episode 40 - Bash Aliases vs. Functions 01.12.2024 21:09 ↓

What is an alias? How to create them. What is a function? How to create them. Some miscellany along the way... :-)

Episode 39 - Command Line Pipes and other useful info 10.11.2024 20:29 ↓

We will go through a detailed example of how to string commands together on the command line using pipes.

Episode 38 - Shell Variables 06.10.2024 19:46 ↓

This continues from Episode 37 on the terminal shell

Episode 37 - Linux File System Paths, Mount Points and Links 15.09.2024 27:07 ↓

I also briefly touch on shell variables - more in the next episode coming soon I hope...

Episode 34: Bash shortcuts 03.01.2024 22:09 ↓

Today I cover the idea of bash shortcuts, including scripts, aliases and functions. I also go over a couple of short answers to listener questiosn and praise for ffmpeg.

E[isode 33 - More on shell variables and tab completion 06.11.2023 14:42 ↓

In this episode we cover more on how to ues the tab key for command and variable name completion; we also cover some accounting information.

Episode 32 - Shell Variables - Basics 06.08.2023 20:35 ↓

This episode covers some of the basics about Linux Shell variables.

Episode 31 - Command Line, Windows and Shell Functions continued 23.04.2023 25:34 ↓

Feel free to let me know if you like this, if you have questions, even if you hated it - I'm hre to serve you. LinuxForTheLayman@gmail.com

Episode 30 - Bash Shell Functions and why 27.02.2023 17:56 ↓

All mentions of the word "bracket" or "brackets" should be read/heard as "brace" and "braces" - these { } instead of these [ ]. My goof, correction at the end of the episode.

Brief Message of Thanksgiving 24.11.2022 2:27 ↓

I am grateful to all my listeners, contributors, questioners and feedback-senders. More to come soon...

Episode 29 - More on the Command Line - Options 25.09.2022 20:01 ↓

More information about command line options, and also help/man pages.

Episode 28 - Variety of Subjects 28.08.2022 19:21 ↓

I misspoke in the audio - RAID is Redundant Array of Independent Devices. There, now you can have an extra laugh at me. Invite your friends to have one too, or more than one! :-)

Recovering from Disaster 25.07.2022 13:10 ↓

A tale of woe and triumph.

Episode 24 - bash variables, aliases and functions 27.03.2022 14:30 ↓

I also explain my long gap between episode 23 and now.

Episode 22 - What are folders, directories, files, and how do we use them 30.09.2021 15:56 ↓

Based on this artivle in the Verge, https://www.theverge.com/22684730/students-file-folder-directory-structure-education-gen-z, I decided to take a side trip and discuss what kinds of storage there are on a computer and how file systems, files and folders/directories (same thing) are set up and how to use them effectively.  I welcome comments, questions, any kind of feedback you'd like to pro...

Episode 21 - More special characters, file naming conventions and file organization 25.09.2021 16:46 ↓

We go into a few more bits about shell special characters, then discuss good Linux file naming conventions and a brief sketch of how to organize your files.  Feel free to let me know what you like, don't like, want to know - anything.