10 Fun Linux Commands Every IT Enthusiast Should Try

Linux offers many entertaining command‑line utilities that are easy to try. The following ten commands can be installed on Debian/Ubuntu systems with sudo apt-get install and each produces a fun visual or functional effect in the terminal.

1. rev

Reverses each input line character‑by‑character. $ rev Example: entering shiyanlou outputs uloynahs.

2. asciiview

Displays images as ASCII art in the terminal.

$ sudo apt-get install aview

$ sudo apt-get install imagemagick

$ asciiview shiyanlou.png -driver curses

Resulting ASCII rendering is shown below.

3. sl

Shows an animated steam locomotive moving across the screen.

$ sudo apt-get install sl

$ sl

4. aafire

Displays a fire animation in the terminal.

$ sudo apt-get install libaa-bin

$ aafire

5. cmatrix

Creates a "Matrix"‑style falling‑character animation.

$ sudo apt-get install cmatrix

$ cmatrix

Press Ctrl+C to stop.

6. factor

Factorises an integer into its prime components; useful for quick math checks. $ factor 60 Output shows 60: 2 2 3 5.

7. oneko

Shows a small cat that follows the mouse pointer; it sleeps when idle.

$ sudo apt-get install oneko

$ oneko

8. boxes

Wraps input text or code in various ASCII art boxes.

$ sudo apt-get install boxes

$ echo "shiyanlou.com" | boxes

Alternative style:

$ echo "shiyanlou.com" | boxes -d dog

9. xeyes

Displays a pair of eyes that track the mouse cursor.

$ sudo apt-get install xeyes

$ xeyes

10. pv

Shows a progress bar while piping data; can simulate typewriter‑style output.

$ sudo apt-get install pv

$ echo "welcome to shiyanlou.com, you can learn IT by doing" | pv -qL 10

Resulting animated text appears on the screen.

Feel free to experiment with other interesting Linux commands and share them for future updates.