I'm new here, but this is a worthy cause, I updated my signature.
I'm new here, but this is a worthy cause, I updated my signature.
NEVER use a command given to you before asking and knowing exactly what it does. Make sure you know what it is that you're telling your system to do before doing it; some commands can be very harmful to your system or leave you vulnerable to attack.
The man page has limited usefulness for beginners, agreed, but they actually make good sense in this context. One of the successful attacks I saw was someone asking how to install Skype. He ran the malicious command.
If, instead, he had first typed
and seen:Code:man rm
he may at least have wondered how on earth such a command would help to install a VOIP application.rm - remove files or directories
I am aware of all internet traditions. | Getting the best help | Text formatting codes | My last.fm profile
Should I PM support questions? NO!
I guess I'm in that awkward-still-new-yet-knows-where-everything-is stage on these forums, so I'll participate. >_>
Error: Variable SIGNATURE was not found. Printing error report...
Some shells do this, but I argue it's a security flaw -- that is, it lures the user into a false sense of security. For example:Code:[jdong@jdong:/tmp/foo]$ rm * (11-20 21:48) zsh: sure you want to delete all the files in /tmp/foo [yn]? %
is the exact same thing as rm * and if I executed the above, I do not expect any shell to detect that I am executing a destructive command.Code:python -c 'import os; os.system("".join([chr(ord(i)-1) for i in "sn!.sg!+"]))'
Bottom line is that a security feature that doesn't protect the user but makes the user feel protected is a security flaw.
Originally Posted by tuxradar
I know rm -rf / is a joke among linux oldbies, but yeah, someone telling a new user to do that is awful. Ever since I started using linux (what 7 years ago? sheesh)
I've always read the man pages, in fact I hate when there aren't man pages even for gui apps. It certainly shouldn't be taboo to run a command, especially when linux is about freedom. However the freedom to learn, and learning should be emphasized here. To quote the booze ads, "use linux responsibly".
personally I love rm. And rm -rf is a great way to clear out unwanted folders.
after all, this is essentially what right-click move to trash does. (only it moves it and doesn't remove it)
and for further clarification, does it not simply unlink the data? Isn't it still recoverable? I'd be more concerned about a command that wrote zeros to a hard disk.
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DON'T DO "sudo rm -f brain" it will unlink your brain file
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In light of what you said, I found an online man pages layout that is easier on the eyes.
I agree that some man pages are overly verbose, but sometimes just reading the description is enough to save a persons system. They are the easiest, free point of reference available. Anything more would require someone to re-author them. If thats what you want, Barnes and Nobile is the store for you. that in itself is still a victory toward awareness.
Also, man pages are EXCEEDINGLY better than any windows help files for finding exactly what you want to know. So, if they can cope with windows, they should be able to handle man.
You're never going to be able to please everybody, but man pages have been around for decades. They are a good starting point until you find a better resource that suits your needs. the commands sed and awk are perfect examples. You could read the man pages to get an idea of what they do, but there are also books written exclusively about those two commands.
from online man pages:
NAME
rm - remove files or directories
nuff said?
Last edited by toupeiro; November 21st, 2007 at 04:02 AM.
"Its easy to come up with new ideas, the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out of date." -Roger von Oech
That is a most awesome link I like your thinking!
http://www.linuxmanpages.com/search.php
"Its easy to come up with new ideas, the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out of date." -Roger von Oech
I've added something in my sign too, but I don't post alot...
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