Fun Linux Terminal Utilities: Installing and Using asciiview, oneko, cmatrix, pipe, sl, and ninvaders

The article introduces a collection of entertaining command‑line programs that add visual effects to a Linux terminal, providing installation commands and sample screenshots for each tool.

asciiview Install with sudo apt-get install aview imagemagick and display an image using asciiview kobe.jpg. The resulting ASCII art image is shown in the accompanying GIF.

oneko (referred to as "爱你") After installing the package (the article lists sudo apt-get install ninvaders but the intended package is oneko), a small cat named "爱你" chases the mouse cursor across the screen, as demonstrated in the animated GIF.

cmatrix Install with sudo apt-get install cmatrix and run cmatrix to display a falling‑matrix style animation in the terminal, illustrated by the provided GIF.

pipe (custom animated pipes screensaver) The article provides a full Bash script that draws animated pipes in the terminal. The script supports options such as pipe count (-p), pipe type (-t), frame rate (-f), straightness probability (-s), reset limit (-r), random start (-R), and color toggle (-C). Usage information is printed when -h is supplied. The script is wrapped in #!/bin/bash and includes functions for cleanup and signal handling. The resulting animation is shown in a GIF.

sl (steam locomotive) Install with sudo apt-get install sl. Running sl displays an animated train that "pulls" love messages across the terminal, as captured in the GIF.

ninvaders Install with sudo apt-get install ninvaders. This program shows a retro‑style Space Invaders game in the terminal, demonstrated by the final GIF.

Each utility is presented with its installation command, a brief description, and a visual example, encouraging readers to add playful graphics and games to their Linux command‑line experience.