Unusual yet useful applications for Linux

We continue to highlight unusual utilities for Linux — who knows when you might need maps in the console, a weather forecast, or a typing speed trainer 😉

For part one, see the article 8 fun Linux utilities →

Google Search System — googler CLI

Googler CLI is a command-line utility for searching Google directly from the command line and opening the results in your browser. Googler CLI allows you to filter searches by keywords, restrict the search range, search only within specific sites, and open links in a GUI browser. For true console cowboys 🤘

How to install:
sudo apt install googler

After installation, launch Googler and enter a search query:
googler 'your query'

Twitter/X Terminal Client — rainbowastream

Rainbowstream is a console client for Twitter/X. You can read the news feed, send tweets, and track notifications on Twitter/X through the command line. You can also manage your Twitter account without a graphical interface. Rainbow Stream is an interactive client, so you can enter commands at any time.

For example, type t followed by a message to send a tweet. Press h to see the help screen with additional keyboard shortcuts. You can also use the Tab key for command auto-completion to save time.

How to install the Twitter/X terminal client:

1. Install pip:
   sudo apt install python3-pip

2. Then install Rainbowstream:
   pip install rainbowstream

3. Launch the utility with the command:
   rainbowstream

4. Link your Twitter account.

Weather Forecast — wttr

This tool checks the weather for today and the next three days. The utility uses your IP address to automatically determine your location.

No installation required — just run the command curl wttr.in and the weather forecast will appear in your console.

World Map — mapscii

Mapscii is a console application for viewing a world map in ASCII format. The map is fetched from OpenStreetMap.

How to install:
npm install -g mapscii

Launch with the command:
mapscii

Graphic Editor for Kids — Tux Paint

A simple and intuitive drawing application that you install from the console — perfect for teaching children the basics of graphics. Suitable for children aged 3 to 12. The editor lets you draw with various tools and templates, and add your own coloring pages.

Yes, the graphic editor for kids is launched from the console — let them get used to it from an early age =)

How to install:
sudo apt install tuxpaint

Launch with the command:
tuxpaint

Typing Speed Trainer — KTouch

KTouch helps you learn touch typing through various exercises to improve your typing speed and accuracy.

How to install:

sudo apt install ktouch

Launch with the command:
ktouch

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