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17 posts tagged with "linux"

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VMWare Workstation on Arch Linux in 2026

· 5 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

This is a step by step guide to setting up VMWare Workstation in Arch Linux as of February 2026. Usually, you would run into an issue where the window will crash when you press Ctrl+Alt to take the cursor our of a VM window. In this guide, we will see what causes that issue and how it can be fixed.

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My journey self-hosting "Google Photos" for cheap.

· 8 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

So far, I have been copying all the images to one of my external hard disks from my phone on a weekly basis. I would have already wasted hours doing that. Also, if I accidentally delete an image (also from the Trash), it would be gone forever and I would not be able to back that image up. So, I wanted a one-way photos sync thing that checks and uploads images very regularly. Now that my requirement is clear, I went out to find a solution to this. In this article, I will talk about my journey in coming to the final solution.

Note that this is not a step by step guide for setting up Immich.

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What "Linux Operating System" do you use? (INCOMPLETE)

· 24 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

This post is to help you learn the basics of (mostly) everything so you can see the full picture. If you have no idea what you're doing or if you're new to Linux, this post is for you. There are a billion different misconceptions, misunderstandings, and incorrect interpretations of concepts related to Linux, and in this post, we'll debunk them. I'm disappointed by the fact that nobody has written something like this before. There are plenty of YouTubers and content creators who post multiple videos a week, but none of them talk about this stuff. Absolutely pathetic! This guide will assume you're a Windows user. If you're a macOS user, you shouldn't have made it to my blog.

Note that I'll only be touching the surface of every key highlight with very brief descriptions to keep things simple. The goal here is to help you see the full picture, not to learn/master everything.

How to Disable Password Policy in the Calamares Installer on Debian Live

· 2 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

For those who don't find the default Debian installer ("d-i") frustrating, you also have the option to install Debian using the Calamares installer. Additionally, there's a lot to configure post-install. To avoid all of this trouble, you can use the Debian Live installer, which uses Calamares.

By default, Calamares configuration in Debian Live enforces some password policies to prevent users from entering weak passwords. This is a very important feature, but I find it too complicated for virtual machines and testing scenarios. Therefore, in this article, let's see how to disable it and use a simple password.

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Basic Server Hardening Guide

· 13 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

If you don't like big tech companies prying their eyes on your data, you might want to self host all the services either locally on-premise or on a cloud server (a Virtual Private Server or a Dedicated Server).

When you are doing this, yes, you are safe from the eyes of big tech, and you actually get to have some privacy. HOWEVER, you will be in charge of your own data security. Therefore, hardening your server is essential to keep your data secure from bad actors and sometimes even automated scanners.

In this article, let's see how to do just that. This guide focuses on Debian 12 (not Ubuntu, since it's Canonical's bloat). Let's get started.

Shared home folders!

· 5 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

Whether you are setting up a computer for yourself or someone else, it's always better to have the user's files on a separate disk (or at least a partition) for easy recovery and management. Doing this also allows directories (like Desktop) to be shared among multiple operating systems if you dual boot.

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Autostart Services with Systemd in Linux

· 3 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

Automating the startup of services in Linux is crucial for ensuring system reliability and reducing manual intervention. In this guide, you'll learn how to use systemd to create and manage a service that starts automatically on boot. We'll cover setting up a dedicated user for security, creating a service file, enabling the service, and troubleshooting common issues.

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Getting Started with i3wm - A Beginner's Guide

· 26 min read
Hirusha Adikari
I do stuff sometimes...

If you're looking for a lightweight, highly customizable, and keyboard-driven window manager, i3wm is one of the best choices out there. Whether you're a beginner exploring tiling window managers or an advanced user wanting to fine-tune your workflow, this ultimate guide to i3wm will walk you through everything—from installation and configuration to productivity tips and essential scripts. Get ready to take full control of your Linux desktop like never before!

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