Return to Author Return to Main PageI decided to write an article about some really cool Command Line Interface (CLI) programs I have come across as I endeavor to learn more about GNU/Linux. While the programs below are not an exhaustive list, they are however some of the more common useful programs one could easily find and download. To my suprise I have found I enjoy using the (CLI) the because (CLI) tend to provide a greater control over the computer if compared to the Graphical User Interface (GUI). In describing the differences between (CLI) and (GUI), I use the analogy that a (CLI) is like driving an manual car while a (GUI) is akin to driving an automatic car. Granted the manual car does take more time to master and is APITA in traffic, however the manual car is likely to use less fuel, provides direct user control ie which gear the car is in and when. Not to mention when your battery isn't able to turn the car engine over, the manual is able to be started via a push start which is not generally possible for automatics. (CLI) run time is usually quicker, the use of keyboard can also be more efficient to use if the keystrokes are known. Other advantages a (CLI) has over a (GUI) is the well known fact that CLI’s are less memory intensive, less CPU intensive, having complete control over your computer and often is the case additional commands which may not reside within the (GUI) may be accessed via a (CLI). The user is also able to integrate the (CLI) programs into scripts easier than a (GUI) and of course if so desired one could always make a custom fit (GUI) on top or the (CLI). Sadly one of the biggest downers these days is more people prefer (GUI) because they are prettier in addition to being dummified so people with no computing experience can mindlessly use a computer. Thus finding new and up to date(CLI) programs in the wild is a rare find these days because the common computer user gravitates to (GUI). In any case, while some of these (CLI) programs may be out dated and old, they still work so let's take a look at some of these old war horse CLI programs I have been referring to.
If there is one take home message for this article, the only thing to remember is (CLI) programs are quick, they are straight to the point and above all they remove all the unnecessary crap off the screen and at times are safer e.g Efail is a great example if one uses the Mutt email client.
A nifty little calendaring, appointments and To Do list program. The only downside to this program I found is I couldn’t find the setting for fortnightly rescheduling events.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
One of my all time favorite (CLI) programs is Newsbeuter, which is a texted based RSS/ATOM feed reader. RSS is the acronym for Rich Site Summary. Apart from downloading RSS, Newsbeuter is also able to tag podcasts for download via podbeuter. RSS is a very efficient method of using one program to acquire the latest updates to more than one website all in the same time. This prevents the need for the computer user to independently check each website.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Podbeuter piggy backs on the shoulders of Newsbeuter as an integrated podcast downloader program which looks and behaves in the same manner as newsbeuter. Thus when you download newsbeuter, podbeuter is automatically installed. All that is needed to run podbeuter is to type podbeuter into the (CLI). Downloading podcasts is easy via newsbeuter where you would go to the podcast link, select 'e' for enqueue which tags the podcast link. Then in a separate (CLI) window open up podbeuter as stated above, highlight the link you wish to download and select download. The full podcast is speedily downloaded onto your computer ready to be played.
Htop is most probably one of the most famous (CLI) programs known which shows all running tasks & processes in real time and in colour. I have found Htop to be a very effective tool to start up and find program PID numbers in order to force the kill command in order to close a GUI program which may have locked up and won’t close.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Glances is an interesting program which enables one to review real time system monitoring processes on the computer within the CLI. Such as CPU load, Memory load, disk, temperature, network interfaces , I/O process and much more.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Do you fear the (CLI) because you won’t be able to find your files? Then fear no more... Enter 'ranger', a dos type of file tree which allows those who pine for a type of GUI interface in a command line to easily select their files.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Wow what can I say, IRSSI is a (CLI) IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client. I know, I know, I know I was just as surprised to see IRC is still a thriving part of the internet after all those years. Irssi is not pretty, but it is fast, light weight and it is fully customisable. Even though Irssi its very old it is truly great to use. If you must simply have a GUI IRC you could always try hexchat.
Install:
Is a command that is used within the (CLI) which can put or take data from websites like wget does. One favourite curl program is the: curl wttr.in/[enter your capital city]. wttr.in will display a nice retro (CLI) weather forecast with pictures and text. Like all (CLI) functions, this is a quick way to find out the next three days of weather forecasts without even leaving the CLI.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
GNU/Aspell is a pretty neat little spell checker for the (CLI) . You can check words or even a full text document through your favourite (CLI) text editors ie. Nano, VI, VIM, Emacs etc
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Im quiet new to this program, however its a neat little program which plays sound files from the command line. Its been a while since its been updated, however it still works quiet well and is relatively light weight and fast.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
With the same concept of MP3Blaster, Cmus is another nice audio program to listen to your mp3 files. I only recently started to explore it, I don’t find it as easy to use as MP3Blaster however customisation is pretty good with this program.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Since we are talking about music and sounds, the Alsamixer is the perfect (CLI) choice to alter the sound mixer settings via the command line.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
GNUpg is one of the most popular methods of GNU/Linux file encryption and its FREE! Go ahead, start protecting your files and electronic communications with GNUPG.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Steghide is a nifty (CLI) program which hides files within images. Like all (CLI) programs, Steghide is very light weight, fast and very easy to use. It’s pretty amazing how a word documents can seamlessly be inserted into a photo which is undetectable to the average user.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
I guess why not mention exiftool which is a file meta-data manipulation program. Easy to use, fast and very versatile I'd say hackers choice of the year.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
An easy to use digital clock with large digits which show in the (CLI) and looks like a typical alarm clock. My favourite set up is: tty-clock -s -b -c -C6 f [enter date dd/mm/yyyy]
To install on Debian based distributions type:
A pretty cool (CLI) contacts book which is extremely easy to use, fast and extremely light weight. It’s so easy that I didn't even have to read any manual to use this program. Abook saves information such as contacts, addresses, email addresses, phone / fax numbers, website addresses, general notes and spaces for other user custom information.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
A pretty nifty and small program to run in the background. Httpie once installed generally colour codes the HTML code within the commade line. All that is need to install is to run sudo apt-get install httpie. Once installed, type the command http prior to entering the website location. I.e http www.google.com.au From here the whole page code will be displayed colourised.
Nmap is a (CLI) program typically used by internet security researchers, Network engineers and hackers alike to conduct audits on networks. Nmap makes it possible to investigate the availability of exposed networks in addition to the type and state of the ports. The identification of port states is important because incorrect ports maybe susceptible to attack from third parties.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
One of the best (CLI) email clients out their I would have to say is Mutt. There is an extention called NeoMutt which allows for more customisation, however I have found Mutt it self to be more than adequate. It is a no frills, quick email client which doesnt process HTML. Why does this matter you might be thinking? It matters because you don’t really have little to worry about those peski little email spam with javascript code. Hence I have turned to text based email clients for safety reasons. Besides who needs pretty diagrams and flashy email clients when all I want is just to read the email and move on. Those who are already using Mutt can breath a sigh of relief with the recent news of the Efail vulnerability.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
ncdu is a nifty (CLI) graphical disk usage utility. Much the same way in windows will show you how much space is left on your disk or how much space a certain folder is taking. The only difference with ncdu is the graphical representation is in a (CLI) and displays hashes to display the space used I.e #########
To install on Debian based distributions type:
A quaint little program which premits you to set up to do lists so you can tick them off once done. In all honesty you cant beat a pen and paper, however if you prefer not to leave pieces of paper lying around, then tudu is a great little program to have at your finer tips. These type of programs are great for the disorganised. I generally don’t tend to use this program much just to remind me of key dates like insurances due dates and car registration due dates etc. To be honest I could eliminate tudo altogether by using calcurse if dates were needed.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
Move the curtain aside todays most popular word processor programs and you will see the old faithful text editors VI, VIM, NANO, EMACS. These text editors are very useful for a no frills but speedy text editing program to create text files, coding, scripts and the like. With the use of GNU/Aspell one is able to add the convenience of a spell checker which is always a nice touch. Especially for me hahahaha.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
To install on Debian based distributions type:
To install on Debian based distributions type:
The one thing GUI interfaces have made much more user friendly are web browsers. However the average computer user most likely wouldn’t even consider the possibility to search the Internet via a (CLI). While I admit, the use of (CLI) programs like Lynx, Elinks, W3M ‐ W3M screenshot on the Internet is restrictive and certainly making the content displayed for the computer user less pleasing to the eye. One of the benefits of using CLI web browsers is they only tend to run straight HTML code and text format. The articles I write and code I always try to keep in mind some readers may be potential (CLI) users and use a (CLI) web browser. Feel free and try it download and install one of the three (CLI) web browsers and navigate to www.darrenhamburger.com.au/Author.html
Whats the point of using a (CLI) web browser if it is to make the content boring to look at I hear you say? The answer is easy, text only web browsing completely remove those horrible intrusive bombardment advertisements on websites, and I very much doubt you would be able to download content any quicker with a GUI web browser not to mention less content distractions equals better concentration to read and comprehend what your reading. Additionally CLI web browsers don’t tend to run Java script and other silent codes which is a major issue these days with the advent of Malware and Crypto-mining scripts which are the new in thing to hijack the unsuspecting web surfers computer CPUs.
To install on Debian based distributions type:
To install on Debian based distributions type:
To install on Debian based distributions type:
This article has been quite fun to write and unfortunately there are just too many programs out their to write about in this one article. Perhaps the biggest things I have realised since using (CLI) programs is just how cool they are. While (CLI) don’t look pretty, perhaps the best we can aspire too when using such programs is the colour in the text. However truth be told, the computer user has greater control, not to mention programs will run with low memory intensity and will run faster. This means you can clear the dust off those ancient computers, plug them back into the power socket because they will run as if they are new! Ultimately it’s like this, with (GUI) you play with is controlled by the programmer who decided which options to set aside for you to select, you don’t tend to see what the program is doing behind the scenes. While using a program at the command line level, there may be other options available or it is easier to use the program within scripts or manipulate different aspects of the program for other uses.
If you have gotten this far, hopefully you now know just how many useful (CLI) programs that are freely available and hidden out in the worlds obsolete dusty computer servers which are still connected to the Internet just waiting to be downloaded. Often these (CLI) programs are published under the GNU license and there is just so much more out their to explore! While the programs may be old, they are still quality products and relevant in the year 2018. The only question remains is are you willing to explore and learn something new. Of special note, with the use of emulators / screen multiplexers like Terminator, Screen, Tmux, I3 etc the savvy computer user is able to simultaneously run many programs at once all within the one screen eliminating the need of screen changing or tabs altogether.
Until next time...
Darren Hamburger
Page Last update:03/06/2018
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