On Tue, 2013-11-19 at 08:49 -0800, leo wrote: > Many times I read threads, like this one, and others regarding > discussions on various other programs. > I've been using Ubuntu a bit over a year now and many times I feel > daunted by suggestions using command lines. > I'm a GUI type of guy. > Where would be an appropriate place in the Ubuntu world for me to > vent....or solicit my desire to learn how and when to use command > lines, rather than GUI's ?
For the record: The original poster wants to write a "batch" file. Linux doesn't know batch files, but they are something similar as shell scripts. Most common is to use the slow, but more comprehensive bash or the faster, but less comprehensive dash on Linux, other shells are unusual for averaged usage. /bin/sh usually is a link to bash or dash and it's a little bit tricky to write scripts that run with bash and dash. An analogy for a shell script is a play list. A play list for commands, operations. IOW the command line is useful when there is no program available for doing some jobs in a wanted order. There's no need to have special skills, it's easy to write simple shell scripts, they might work less effective when written without knowledge, but they'll work. Some dinos are used to the C64 where the BASIC interpreter did run the BASIC programs without compiling and the full screen editor was the "desktop". For other dino's computers it's similar, e.g. DR DOS (batch files), QL. You don't need the command line. Another advantage when using Linux by command line, but than IMO using a another distro, is customization, optimization of Linux installs. Ubuntu is nice, ready to go, but it's reputation among experienced Linux users for good reasons usually is bad, very bad, very, very bad. Now to your request: Using the command line is more effective, if you build your Linux install in another style, than the pre-build Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a GUI based distro with it's advantages and drawbacks. You could ask what ever you want on this list, but IMO you should install another Linux, multi-boot or as guest in VirtualBox on your Ubuntu and then use a forum for this distro. I recommend to start with a minimal (not regular) Debian install or with a regular Arch Linux install. The Debian community is huge and you can ask what ever you want on the mailing lists. Arch IMO is the better choice, but the official lists don't allow newbie questions, especially not basics about shell scripts. However, it can't harm to start with installing VirtualBox to your Ubuntu Studio and then test distros, such as Arch Linux (the forums are ok for newbies too, just the mailing lists are not for novices), others like Gentoo. Regards, Ralf -- ubuntu-studio-users mailing list ubuntu-studio-users@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-studio-users