FreeBSD
Managing packages with pkg and the Ports Collection
FreeBSD gives you two ways to install software: the fast pkg binary package manager, and the source-based Ports Collection. Here's when to use each.
7 January 2025 4 min read
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VPS
Guides for running your own server on an unmanaged VPS, where you have full root access.
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FreeBSD
Creating a new user on FreeBSD with adduser
FreeBSD's adduser walks you through account creation interactively - a different workflow from Linux's useradd and passwd. Here's how it works, step by step.
3 January 2025 4 min read
FreeBSD
What is FreeBSD, and how is it different from Linux?
FreeBSD isn't a Linux distribution - it's a separate Unix operating system with its own kernel and base system. Here's what that actually means…
31 December 2024 5 min read
Debian
Debian’s stable/testing/unstable branches, and why servers should stick to stable
What Debian's stable, testing, and unstable (sid) branches actually mean, and why "stable" doesn't mean outdated or insecure.
27 December 2024 4 min read
Debian
Creating a new sudo user on Debian
A step-by-step guide to creating a sudo-capable user on Debian, including the Debian-specific gotcha where sudo isn't installed by default.
24 December 2024 3 min read
Debian
Initial server setup checklist on Debian
The first-boot checklist for a fresh Debian VPS - updates, a sudo user, SSH hardening, hostname and timezone, a firewall, and automatic security patches.
20 December 2024 4 min read
Debian
What is Debian, and how does it differ from Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is built on Debian, but the two projects make different trade-offs around stability, release cadence, and commercial backing. Here's how to choose.
17 December 2024 4 min read
Guides and How Tos
Automatic Security Updates with unattended-upgrades
How to set up unattended-upgrades on Ubuntu Server for automatic security patches, plus the honest trade-off around automatic reboots you need to plan for.
13 December 2024 4 min read
Guides and How Tos
snap vs apt: When to Use Which on Ubuntu Server
An honest comparison of snap and apt on Ubuntu Server - what snap actually is, the real trade-offs, and practical guidance for managing both…
10 December 2024 4 min read
Debian
Managing Packages with apt on Ubuntu
The core apt commands every Ubuntu Server user needs - updating, installing, removing, searching, holding versions, and cleaning up unused packages.
6 December 2024 3 min read
Guides and How Tos
ufw Firewall Basics on Ubuntu
How to check, enable, and configure ufw on an Ubuntu Server VPS - including the one step that stops you locking yourself out over…
3 December 2024 3 min read
Guides and How Tos
What is Ubuntu Server? LTS vs Interim Releases Explained
A plain-English guide to Ubuntu Server, who maintains it, and why almost every production VPS should run the current LTS release rather than an…
29 November 2024 3 min read
Fedora
Staying on top of Fedora’s release cycle without breaking your server
Fedora releases are supported for about 13 months. Here's how to track your EOL date, plan an in-place upgrade with dnf system-upgrade, and avoid…
26 November 2024 5 min read
Fedora
Creating a new sudo user on Fedora
A quick, practical walkthrough for creating a new user on Fedora and granting them sudo access via the wheel group - the standard RHEL-family…
22 November 2024 3 min read
Fedora
What is Fedora, and is it actually a good fit for a server?
Fedora is fast, modern, and community-driven - but its 13-month support window makes it a poor default choice for most production VPS workloads. Here's…
19 November 2024 4 min read
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