A Compilation of Frequent Linux Tips

Frequent Linux Tips - A Compilation

Note: Several are Debian-specific, the others can be used in any distribution.

1. Mount an ISO image

Type as root (Ubuntu users precede it with sudo):

mount -o loop /path/to/image.iso /media/cdrom0

The image will be mounted under /media/cdrom0.

2. Rip FLAC and WAV files to OGG Vorbis

oggenc -b 192 *.flac
oggenc -b 128 *.wav

3. Split a FLAC/WAV file when a CUE file is available

cuebreakpoints disc.cue | shnsplit disc.wav
cuebreakpoints disc.cue | shnsplit disc.flac

4. Run a second X server

startx -- :1

5. Convert MPEG video files to Theora Video

ffmpeg2theora -q6 -A192 movie.avi

6. Get audio from DVD .VOB files

nice -n 15 transcode -y xvid4,ogg -i vts_01_1.vob -m ~/track01.ogg -b 192

7. APT: Install needed dependencies to compile a source

Note: This will work if an older version is already available in the repositories; the new version does not require newer libraries and you have sources activated in your /etc/apt/sources.list file.

This works in Debian and other Debian-based distributions, Ubuntu users precede it with sudo.

apt-get build-dep application

8. APT: Upgrade your Debian system in one command

apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

9. APT: See which files a package installed

dpkg -L package_name

10. Create an ISO9660 CD image
This will create a CD image from the contents in a directory using the mkisofs command line tool:

mkisofs -r -v -J -l -o /path/to/cd_image.iso /path/to/directory

This will create an image called cd_image.iso from the contents of the /path/to/directory folder.

11. Convert NRG images to ISO
There is a tool which converts NRG (a CD image format used by Nero) to an ISO, it's called nrg2iso. Use it on any NRG image like this:

nrg2iso cd_image.nrg cd_image.iso

Note: This compilation is open for suggestions. Please leave a comment or e-mail me (see the About page).

Updated: Jul 04, 2008 (Created: May 30, 2008)