Mac Users: Embrace the Unix Force

August 1st, 2007

I had no interest at all in Macs until Apple came out with Mac OS X. The only reason I bought my first Powerbook was because of Mac OS X. The Mac visual interface on top of a Unix core–what was not to like?

Now my Windows machine is a media machine–used for my movies, TV shows, and music, Joost veohtv–and for testing and trying Windows-only bits. A good choice, since most media applications tend to release on Windows, first. All my development, though, occurs on my Mac. Right now, I have it configured perfectly: Apache2, PHP5, MySQL 5, ImageMagick, GIMP, ufraw, Darwin/Mac ports, and other goodies–can't get tastier than this.

Mark Bernstein wrote a post on Unix for Mac Users, mentioning that Tinderbox has command line hooks. He asked about Unix books, especially for newbies, and it was nice to read that someone recommended the Unix Powertools Book I organized and co-authored for O'Reilly. Two other good books were also recommended.

I was thinking of this when I asked about web graphics this last week. One tool that is installed in most Linux-based web hosting systems, and which can be easily installed on the Mac (using Darwin Ports), is ImageMagick. It's a wonderful graphics system, with a nice set of command line tools.

The sticking point is…command line.

I can't recommend enough for Mac users to become familiar with Terminal and the command line. Without it, it's like having a Ferrari, but only driving 40 miles per hour. You'll get to where you want to go, but it will take you longer, and frankly, you won't have as much fun.

Back, w-a-a-y back, when I was working on the LAMP Survival Guide series, I wrote an essay that I ported to this site: Ten Basic Commands of Linux. It's still a viable writing–nice thing about Linux, things don't go away.

Even if you don't have Linux, if you host your site with a Linux-based hosting system and you have access to the site through SSH (Secure Shell), it's also a good idea to become familiar with the command line. You can move files back and forth using FTP, but nothing takes the place of learning how to walk around this environment, natively.

If I were ever to write an online book, it would be a variation of the Survival Guide. Maybe Survival Guide to the Internet, and would probably include Linux, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, HTML, CSS — the basic building blocks of most applications people use online.

In the meantime, some good resources:

PixelBeat Linux Command line table

TuxFiles Linux tutorials

Command Line Warriors

Command Line Primer

Top 15 Terminal Commands for Hidden Mac OS X Settings

Add any additional in comments, if the muse moves you.

thx to Michael for link

Comments
1
Arthur - 7:08 pm 8/1/2007

Even if you don't have Linux,

(and then there's always virtualization: I'm happily running Ubuntu from within my virtual machine while posting this)

2
Michael R. Bernstein - 7:42 pm 8/1/2007

Shelley, it has been about two weeks since I started bookmarking links as for:shelleyp on del.icio.us instead of emailing them to you. It looks as though they've been entering your information flow and occasionally popping up in posts, but I can't really tell (someone else might have sent you the same link, after all).

So, I'm curious as to how well (or poorly) del.icio.us has been fitting into your personal routine.

3
Shelley - 7:50 pm 8/1/2007

Works good, Michael. I wasn't sure how to link you for credit, though. Do I link your regular web site, or your delicious page?

4
Bud Gibson - 8:07 pm 8/1/2007

You were involved in Unix Power Tools! I bought several editions of that book (well, maybe just 2, I don't think I got the third). The reason I went to mac after using a linux desktop for a good 3 years is that the mac offered compatibility with the rest of the world while allowing me to retain my unix skills. Call me the anti-Pilgrim (he recently went the other way).

I also agree with your points on LAMP. Generally more tested and stable. Also, there's just a wealth of knowledge to tap into to get them up and running without too much effort. Contrast that with any closed source or less popular open source alternative.

5
Charles - 9:13 pm 8/1/2007

Yeah, I remember buying Unix Power Tools back when I was fiddling with MkLinux on my old PowerMac 8100/110, seems like centuries ago. But it was obvious that with MacOS X coming soon, it was time to refresh my unix skills. UPT was a great help.

There are some unique intersections between Mac GUI and Unix command line that I always get a kick out of. For example, occasionally a buddy will call me up with an undeletable folder, so I walk them through rm -rf FOR GOD'S SAKES DON'T HIT RETURN YET, now drag the undeletable folder to the Terminal window and it will auto-fill the path, NOW you can hit return. But it always makes me nervous, I'm sure one of these days, someone will hit return prematurely and nuke their home folder.

6
Michael R. Bernstein - 9:36 pm 8/1/2007

Huh. I hadn't thought about that. I have no idea which is the 'done thing'. To the extent I even care about 'credit', I think I'd prefer a link to my website.

To answer your earlier question, I don't have any specific recommendations, but you might explore what other folks have tagged as 'commandline'.

7
Karoli - 3:01 am 8/2/2007

My reluctance to buy a Mac directly relates to my lack of knowledge as to how to use the command line when necessary. If you decide to write that survival guide, put me on the waiting list as the first buyer.

8
Shelley - 1:08 pm 8/2/2007

Yup, I was lead editor and author on the third edition of Unix Power Tools. It was a bitch to do, too. People were great, but the format of the book was difficult to work with, at best.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to the discussion. Comments are now closed, but you can contact the author of the post directly.

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