• kghostview my_file.ps
Display a postscript file on screen. I can also
use the older-looking ghostview or gv for the same end effect.
• ps2pdf my_file.ps my_file.pdf
Make a pdf (Adobe portable document format) file from
a postscript file.
• gimp
(in X terminal) A humble looking but very powerful image
processor. Takes some learning to use, but it is great for artists, there
is almost nothing you can't do with gimp. Use your mouse right button to
get local menus, and learn how to use layers. Save your file in the native
gimp file format *.xcf (to preserve layers) and only then flatten it and
save as png (or whatever). There is a large user manual /usr/
• gphoto
(in X terminal) Powerful photo editor.
• giftopnm my_file.giff > my_file.pnm
pnmtopng my_file.pnm > my_file.png
Convert the propriatory giff graphics into a raw, portable
pnm file. Then convert the pnm into a png file, which is a newer and better
standard for Internet pictures (better technically plus there is
no danger of being sued by the owner of giff patents).
Music-related commands
• cdplay play 1
Play the first track from a audio CD.
• eject
Get a free coffee cup holder :))).
(Eject the CD ROM tray).
• play my_file.wav
Play a wave file.
• mpg123 my_file.mp3
Play an mp3 file.
• mpg123 -w my_file.wav my_file.mp3
Create a wave audio file from an mp3 audio file.
• knapster
(in X terminal) Start the program to downolad mp3 files
that other users of napster have displayed for downloading. Really cool!
• cdparanoia -B "1-"
(CD ripper) Read the contents of an audio CD and
save it into wavefiles in the current directories, one track per wavefile.
The "1-" means "from track 1 to the last". -B forces putting each track
into a separate file.
• playmidi my_file.mid
Play a midi file. playmidi -r my_file.mid
will display text mode effects on the screen.
• sox
(argument not given here) Convert from almost any audio
file format to another (but not mp3s). See man sox.
