{"id":17502,"date":"2023-09-12T11:30:10","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T09:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contabo.com\/blog\/?p=17502"},"modified":"2023-10-23T15:43:25","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T13:43:25","slug":"top-10-linux-easter-eggs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contabo.com\/blog\/top-10-linux-easter-eggs\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Linux Easter Eggs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Linux is known for its powerful and versatile nature, but beneath its serious exterior lies a playful side full of hidden surprises called “Easter eggs.” These Easter eggs are tucked away in the Linux operating system<\/a>. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the top 10 coolest Linux Easter eggs, offering step-by-step instructions on how to reproduce or trigger them. Have fun! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Fortune Command <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our journey starts with the ‘fortune’ command. Linux has a talent for surprising users with funny and thought-provoking quotes. First install the fortune-mod package with this command: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

apt install fortune-mod<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
On Debian you need to enable the fortune command by creating an alias. To do so open the bashrc file with the nano-editor: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
nano ~\/.bashrc <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
And add the following line at the end of the file: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
alias fortune=\u201d\/usr\/games\/fortune\u201d<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Save the file with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [O]<\/strong> and exit the editor with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [X]<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the changes to take effect, reload the file with this command: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
source ~\/.bashrc <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Now you can use the following command to get a nice quote: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
fortune <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Hit [Enter]<\/strong>, and you will be greeted with a random quote or joke. It is a delightful way to start your day or add a touch of humor to your command-line adventures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
 The output might look like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Top<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
2. What Does the Cow Say? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next up, meet the ASCII cow! Linux has a hidden gem called ‘cowsay’ that lets you create amusing ASCII art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To install cowsay use this command:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
apt install cowsay <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Now run the program with: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
cowsay \"Hello, Linux!\" <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
 The output looks like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Top<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
You’ll see a cute cow saying your message in a speech bubble. It’s a fun way to communicate in the terminal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. The Hidden Games <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Linux is home to secret games. Some classic ones include Snake and Tetris.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discover these hidden gems in your terminal for a quick gaming break:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To play snake in your terminal, you need to install it first. This can be done by executing the following command: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
apt install bsdgames  <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If you are using Ubuntu as your Linux distribution just execute the following command to play a game of snake: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
snake <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If you are on Debian, you need to create an alias again. To do open the bashrc file with the nano-editor: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
nano ~\/.bashrc <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
And add the following line at the end of the file: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
alias snake=\u201d\/usr\/games\/snake\u201d <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Save the file with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [O]<\/strong> and exit the editor with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [X]<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the changes to take effect, reload the file with this command:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
source ~\/.bashrc <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Now you can play snake in your terminal too by using the snake command. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tetris<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To play Tetris in your terminal, you also need to install it first. This can be done by executing the following command: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
apt install bastet <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If you are using Ubuntu as your Linux distribution just execute the following command to play Tetris:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
bastet <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
If you are on Debian, you need to create an alias again. To do that, open the bashrc file with the nano-editor: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
nano ~\/.bashrc  <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Then add the following line at the end of the file:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
alias bastet=\u201d\/usr\/games\/bastet\u201d  <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Save the file with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [O]<\/strong> and exit the editor with [CTRL]<\/strong> + [X]<\/strong>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the changes to take effect, reload the file with this command:   <\/p>\n\n\n\n
source ~\/.bashrc  <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Now you will be able to play Tetris in your terminal as well by using the bastet <\/em>command.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Tetris-menu\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Top<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
4. Vim & The Meaning of Life <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Vim 42 Easter egg is a reference to the science fiction series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy<\/a>” by Douglas Adams, where the number 42 is famously cited as the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.” In Vim, you can trigger this Easter egg by following these steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n