Transitioning from Mac to Linux: 5 Essential Homebrew Packages
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Homebrew on Linux
Homebrew has always been one of my top choices for package installation on macOS. Recently, I made the switch to Linux and found out that Homebrew is also compatible with Linux systems. It's worth noting that many of these packages can be installed through the default Linux package managers, like Synaptic. However, some users prefer the Homebrew experience, especially since it doesn't require administrator permissions to operate.
In this guide, I’ll share my favorite packages that are available for Linux (note that not all of these are present on macOS and vice versa) and explain why you might find them intriguing to explore.
Section 1.1: Installing Homebrew
Before we delve into package installation, let’s briefly cover how to install Homebrew itself. The process is quite straightforward; simply execute the following command in your terminal:
After Homebrew is installed, the first command I recommend running is brew doctor to ensure everything is functioning properly.
Section 1.2: Confirming Functionality
Once you've confirmed that Homebrew is set up correctly, let’s explore some of the packages you might want to install.
Ddgr
I've been using DuckDuckGo as my main search engine for quite some time. There's also a terminal version available—just install ddgr and utilize it as needed.
Midnight Commander
You might wonder who needs a dual-pane file manager in 2021. Personally, I find it indispensable! This lightweight and fast utility has become an essential part of my daily workflow.
Naga
For a nostalgic touch, you can play Snake right in your terminal using the naga utility. It’s a fun way to take a break from modern 3D graphics.
Antiword
While Microsoft Office is a staple for word processing, alternatives abound. The antiword package lets you open simple Word documents directly in your terminal.
Watch
The watch command is a powerful tool for monitoring specific files or processes on your system, allowing you to quickly check the latest changes.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
While Homebrew may not be the primary method for installing packages on Linux, it can be beneficial, especially for those transitioning from macOS or intending to use both systems. If you ever need assistance with this straightforward yet powerful package manager, just type brew to explore its capabilities.
This video provides a comprehensive tutorial on using Homebrew to simplify software installation on macOS.
Learn how to leverage Homebrew as a package manager on macOS in this informative video.