Fun with Linux
The following are a collection of amusing and funny programs/commands that can be issued from your command line. Here are a selection of some of my favourites:
Cowsay and Cowthink
Cowsay is a configurable talking/thinking cow! Simply issue either cowsay or cowthink followed by some words and an ascii image will be displayed along with your text message. If you don't like cows, then you can select one of around forty alternative characters. To install "cowsay" from a Debian based system, you can issue: sudo apt-get install cowsay
Examples of cowsay in action:
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/cowsay/cows$ cowsay Welcome to landoflinux.com
____________________________
< Welcome to the landoflinux.com >
----------------------------
\ ^__^
\ (oo)\_______
(__)\ )\/\
||----w |
|| ||
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/cowsay/cows$ cowthink Welcome to the landoflinux.com
________________________________
( Welcome to the landoflinux.com )
--------------------------------
o ^__^
o (oo)\_______
(__)\ )\/\
||----w |
|| ||
Alternative characters are called by passing the "-f" parameter: cowsay -f ghostbusters Who you Gonna Call
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/cowsay/cows$ cowsay -f ghostbusters Who you Gonna Call
____________________
< Who you Gonna Call >
--------------------
\
\
\ __---__
_- /--______
__--( / \ )XXXXXXXXXXX\v.
.-XXX( O O )XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-
/XXX( U ) XXXXXXX\
/XXXXX( )--_ XXXXXXXXXXX\
/XXXXX/ ( O ) XXXXXX \XXXXX\
XXXXX/ / XXXXXX \__ \XXXXX
XXXXXX__/ XXXXXX \__---->
---___ XXX__/ XXXXXX \__ /
\- --__/ ___/\ XXXXXX / ___--/=
\-\ ___/ XXXXXX '--- XXXXXX
\-\/XXX\ XXXXXX /XXXXX
\XXXXXXXXX \ /XXXXX/
\XXXXXX > _/XXXXX/
\XXXXX--__/ __-- XXXX/
-XXXXXXXX--------------- XXXXXX-
\XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/
""VXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXV""
List of available Characters
Below are a list of ascii image files that can be called after the "-f" parameter. You do not need to pass the extension ".cow" part of the name. Simply type: cowsay -f koala Gday
apt.cow ghostbusters.cow sheep.cow
beavis.zen.cow gnu.cow skeleton.cow
bong.cow head-in.cow snowman.cow
bud-frogs.cow hellokitty.cow sodomized-sheep.cow
bunny.cow kiss.cow stegosaurus.cow
calvin.cow kitty.cow stimpy.cow
cheese.cow koala.cow suse.cow
cock.cow kosh.cow three-eyes.cow
cower.cow luke-koala.cow turkey.cow
daemon.cow mech-and-cow.cow turtle.cow
default.cow meow.cow tux.cow
dragon-and-cow.cow milk.cow unipony.cow
dragon.cow moofasa.cow unipony-smaller.cow
duck.cow moose.cow vader.cow
elephant.cow mutilated.cow vader-koala.cow
elephant-in-snake.cow pony.cow www.cow
eyes.cow pony-smaller.cow
flaming-sheep.cow ren.cow
To get a list of the available cowsay files on your system issue the command: cowsay -l
Various other options are available such as "-d" for dead mode, "-e" for changing the eyes and "-T" for tongue options. For full details simply type "man cowsay" at the command prompt.
sl - Steam Locomotive
Have you ever typed the list command "ls" wrongly and entered "sl". Well you no longer have to put up with an error, you can simply install the "sl" package. On a Debian based system simply type: sudo apt-get install ls
Now whenever you type "sl" instead of the "ls" command, you will see an animated Steam Locomotive go across your terminal screen.
Various options are also available that can be passed to the "sl" command:sl -a "An accident seems to happen. You'll feel pity for people who cry for help"
sl -F "It can Fly"
sl -l "Little Locomotive"
For a full list of options visit the man pages:man sl
To view a quick video of the "sl" command in action click on the video screen below:
Watch Star Wars the Movie
Fancy watching a movie? A movie in Ascii ? Well you can. Simply enter the following command into your terminal:
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
Xsnow
Fancy snow on your desktop, well now you can with "xsnow". To install xsnow simply issue the command:
sudo apt-get install xsnow
To run "xsnow" simply type xsnow into your terminal. You should now be visited by Santa and his Reindeer, snow and lots of christmas trees!
Numerous options are available to adjust the settings for the snow, the size and speed of santa, wind speed and background colour. For a full list of options available, type man xsnow in your terminal.
Cmatrix
Cmatrix is a program that simulates the display from the film "The Matrix". To install "cmatrix" on a Debian based system, issue the command :
sudo apt-get install cmatrix
Various options are available which allow you to adjust the characters, speed and colour of the display. For a full range of options, issue the command: man cmatrix in your terminal. Cmatrix is run from the terminal by issuing the command: cmatrix
Oneko - Cat and Mouse
Oneko is a program that creates a virtual desktop cat that chases your mouse pointer around the screen. Options are available that allow you to change from a cat into a dog or even a tiger like cat. For a full list of the characters available and options, issue the command: man oneko from your terminal. Oneko is started by issuing the command: oneko from your terminal. To install "oneko", on a Debian based system, issue the command:
sudo apt-get install oneko
Fortune
Fortune will provide you with an interesting adage selected randomly. To install issue the command:
sudo apt-get install fortune
Examples of some of the output from the "fortune" program:
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Someone is speaking well of you.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Save energy: be apathetic.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Do what comes naturally. Seethe and fume and throw a tantrum.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Write yourself a threatening letter and pen a defiant reply.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Many pages make a thick book.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
You had some happiness once, but your parents moved away, and you had to
leave it behind.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, but it takes a long time, and the light bulb has
to really want to change.
john@ubuntu1304:~$ fortune
Q: What is printed on the bottom of beer bottles in Minnesota?
A: Open other end.
For a list of options, issue the command: man fortune
Toilet
Toilet is a program that allows you to create colourful characters. You can specify colours, filters and fonts to create your master piece. To install "toilet" on a Debian based system, issue the command:
sudo apt-get install toilet
To run toilet, simply type "toilet" followed by the text you wish to be displayed. For a full list of the options regarding fonts, filters and colour, refer to the man pages with the command: man toilet
Below is "toilet" called with no parameters, and then with the filter "metal":
Figlet
Figlet is a tool that allows you to print large characters made up from ordinary screen characters. To install figlet on a Debian based system, issue the command:
sudo apt-get install figlet
Various styles can be passed to the command line using the option "-f". The different styles (figlets) can be found in the directory:
/usr/shar/figlet
Below are some examples of figlet:
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/figlet$ figlet linux -f script
_
| | o
| | _ _
|/ | / |/ | | | /\/
|__/|_/ | |_/ \_/|_/ /\_/
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/figlet$ figlet linux -f bubble
_ _ _ _ _
/ \ / \ / \ / \ / \
( l | i | n | u | x )
\_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/figlet$ figlet linux -f shadow
|_)
| | __ \ | |\ \ /
| | | | | | ` <
_|_|_| _|\__,_| _/\_\
john@john-desktop:/usr/share/figlet$ figlet linux -f lean
_/ _/
_/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/
_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/
Hidden Cow
Just when you thought you had seen your last cow.... Try typing apt-get moo in your terminal:
john@john-desktop:~$ apt-get moo
(__)
(oo)
/------\/
/ | ||
* /\---/\
~~ ~~
...."Have you mooed today?"...
Hash - How many times have i typed that command today?
To find out how many times you have typed a command today, type "hash" in your terminal:
john@john-desktop:~$ hash
hits command
1 /usr/bin/aptitude
1 /usr/games/cowsay
6 /usr/bin/sudo
2 /usr/bin/cmatrix
6 /usr/bin/toilet
7 /usr/bin/man
3 /usr/games/oneko
1 /bin/ls
7 /usr/bin/figlet
4 /usr/bin/apt-get
15 /usr/bin/clear
Well, I hope you liked some of the fun commands that you can run in your terminal. These are only a small amount that are available, try searching for Linux Easter Eggs in the search box above, you will find games hidden in OpenOffice plus many more. Happy hunting:-)
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