HowTos: scp and rsync, Wine vs. VMs, Symbolic Links (aka Symlinks)
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HowTo Geek ☛ How to Transfer Files Between Systems Using scp and rsync
There are plenty of tools for transferring files between two computers on the Linux command line, but the scp and rsync commands will cover almost any use case. Here’s how and when to use them.
What is the Difference Between scp and rsync?
Both the scp and rsync commands move files between two computers, and both will can do so very securely. The main difference between the two commands comes not in what they do, but instead in how they do it.
The scp command stands for “secure copy,” and in many ways, it works like the standard unix cp or “copy” command, but between two computers. The “secure” in the name in this case refers to SSH, the protocol it uses to communicate with the remote computer.
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HowTo Geek ☛ Running Windows Apps in Wine vs. VMs: Which Is Better?
If you've ever tried running Windows software on Linux, you know it can be a mixed bag, and every option has quirks. Should you go with Wine or set up a full virtual machine? Let's explore both options and see which one will give you the best experience for your needs.
Initial Setup: Wine Is Faster to Get Started
When it comes to setting up Windows applications on Linux, Wine is the quicker and easier solution. While both Wine and virtual machines (VMs) ultimately allow you to run Windows software on a Linux system, Wine’s lightweight setup lets you jump in with minimal fuss, whereas VMs require a more time-intensive installation process.
Wine’s primary advantage is its simplicity. To get started, all you need is the Wine software, which is readily available through most Linux package managers, such as apt on Ubuntu or dnf on Fedora. Once Wine is installed, you can run Windows executable files directly on your Linux system without requiring a full Windows OS installation.
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HowTo Geek ☛ How to Create and Use Symbolic Links (aka Symlinks) on Linux
Linux allows you to create symbolic links, or symlinks, that point to another file or folder on your machine. The best way to do this is with the ln terminal command—though there are some graphical file managers that can create symbolic links too.