Useful Tools and Commands for Linux Users

I have composed a small cheat sheet with useful commands for Linux users. The document contains a variety of basic commands, tools, and hints for beginners but also includes information that might be useful for advanced users. Note that some of the commands are only available on Ubuntu- / Debian-based systems.

[last update: 2023-03]

The Best Free Tools for Windows Users

This is a list of my favorite, free tools for Windows. Free means it’s either freeware or open-source software.
It is surprising how many good tools there are, and how little they are known among Windows users. There is no need to burden your wallet if a free tool can get the job done equally well, right?

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How to backup your data, properly

I guess most people know that it is important to regularly backup important data. However, only few do it and even fewer do it properly. Fact is: No storage medium is safe, it is only a question of time before it fails. So what is the best way to store data? What is the most reliable backup medium? Harddisc, SSD, DVD or something else?

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WD RED harddisk fails after 5k hours

I am using six 3TB Western Digital RED harddisks in my Synology NAS servers, which are mainly used for file storage and media streaming. The RED series was specifically designed for NAS servers and are rated for 24/7 operation. With a MTBF (mean time between failures) of 1 million hours, one would assume those drives should be fairly reliable. Now, after 4 years and only 5000 hours of operation, one of the disks failed.

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Lightweight, high quality telephoto for traveling

A couple of month ago I was looking for a compact and lightweight telephoto travel companion (camera+lens combo or compact cam) that still offers high image quality. Well, since I’m not a pro photographer, high quality means significantly better than the typical compact camera, but certainly not professional grade quality for big prints.
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