Tag Archives: removing files with terminal linux

Copying and deleting files/folders within a terminal client

Disclaimer. When using a sudo/root mode be extremely careful and really think about what you are doing. The sudo/root mode should never be used without considerations and it is certainly not the correct place to test out things. Also, even as I do make my best effort to produce high quality instructions, I do not take any responsibility if anything goes wrong or if there is some sort of error in the commands below.

Before I begin talking about the official topic of today, I will list the simple way of doing things. I will use the case relating to Audax 0.2. and Emelfm2 usage on the example below.

Ever since Audax 0.2. originally came out Emelfm2 was included to the distribution. If you find Emelfm2 too hard to grasp then you can also install some other (more traditional) file manager like pcmanfm (sudo apt-get install pcmanfm) and use it together with “Simple mount” coming with Audax 0.2. If you want to copy/remove something from a mounted usb device with pcmanfm then execute a command  gksudo pcmanfm within, for example, Fbrun dialog (hit F2 button). In any case, it is strongly recommended that you read the entire post presented here. Throughout the post I will be using an example username tester.

Important note. Audax 0.2.5 is just around the corner. Within the 2.5. version mounting will work out of the box and without trouble as Audax will ship with a bug-fixed and functional pcmanfm.

And now let’s get to the topic of today.

Copying and deleting files/folders within a terminal client

Warning. Remember that a terminal client does not usually prompt you with any “Do you want to continue?” questions. Never ever copy and paste anything to a terminal client when you are removing things. On some occasions the copy+paste has resulted to an immediate deletion of files and folders. This is very bad news if you have made some sort of an error. As a result you might have ended up cleaning your device completely without any possibilities to recover the data since sudo/root mode does not have a trash bin feature. Continue reading