How-To Geek

Dave McKay-Freelance Journalist

Dave McKay

407 articles published since January 24, 2011

About Dave McKay

Dave McKay first used computers when punched paper tape was in vogue, and he has been programming ever since. After over 30 years in the IT industry, he is now a full-time technology journalist. During his career, he has worked as a freelance programmer, manager of an international software development team, an IT services project manager, and, most recently, as a Data Protection Officer. Dave is a Linux evangelist and open source advocate.

Latest Articles

A Terminal open on Ubuntu Linux. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the yes Command on Linux

When the Linux yes command wants to say something, it goes for it.

A folder on a Linux desktop. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Get the Size of a File or Directory in Linux

Old downloads are taking up how much space?

A standard Bash shell on Linux. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Change Your Default Shell on Linux with chsh

A shell for every occasion.

A stick of RAM sitting on a table. 1
Linux
How to Check Memory Usage From the Linux Terminal

Is it Chromium using up all of the RAM?

1
Linux
How to Create a User on Linux

How to make friends.

A Linux Terminal running the Ping command. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the ip Command on Linux

It is time to break up with ifconfig.

A manual page on Linux, which relies on less. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the less Command on Linux

Less is definitely more, at least in this case.

A Linux laptop booting up. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the dmesg Command on Linux

Need to get to the bottom of a hardware problem on Linux? The dmesg command is the fault finder's friend.

The login screen on a laptop running Ubuntu Linux. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to List Users in Linux

It's time to name names.

A Linux Terminal open. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the tail Command on Linux

Need to know the most recent change to a file?

A linux terminal. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Do Floating Point Math in Linux Bash Scripts

When close enough isn't good enough, you need floating point numbers.

A Linux Terminal 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the Echo Command on Linux

Like the nymph in Greek mythology with the same name, Linux's echo command repeats the last thing it was told to repeat.

The time on a Linux PC. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Display the Date and Time in the Linux Terminal (and Use It In Bash Scripts)

Got the time?

A Linux system. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Deal With Spaces in Filenames on Linux

Spaced out, but not flaky.

The File Manager open on Linux. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Rename a Directory on Linux

Wait - you move a directory to rename it?

The toolbar on a Linux PC. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Kill Processes From the Linux Terminal

Need to kill a wayward process from your Linux or macOS command line? We'll show you how.

A pile of Raspberry Pis on a wooden table. 1
Raspberry Pi
How to Get a Discord or Slack Alert If Your Raspberry Pi Is Too Hot

Don't be in the dark when things are getting hot.

A laptop running Linux. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
How to Use the ls Command to List Files and Directories on Linux

The humble ls command can do a lot more than you think. Discover its hidden talents!

A Linux Terminal. 1
Linux
How to Use the whois Command on Linux

Want to know who owns an internet domain? Find out right from your Linux command line!

A Linux terminal. 1
Linux & macOS Terminal
9 Examples of for Loops in Linux Bash Scripts

How to repeat yourself, elegantly.

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