Tool Tips
Tool Tips

Tool tests on the fast track
DevicesInLAN 0.4
Network scanner
Source: http://turulomio.users.sourceforge.net/en/devicesinlan.html
License: GPLv3
Alternatives: Nmap
DevicesInLAN 0.4 checks which computers are online on the local network. Root privileges are required for access, and the Python tool writes the results to standard output. The list displays the MAC addresses, the current IPs, and the network card manufacturer. DevicesInLAN sorts the entries by IP address by default. If you use the tool on a gateway computer with several interfaces, you can specify the -i
parameter to define which NICs to use for the search. Otherwise, the tool uses all that are available.
You can assign computers an alias name with the --add
option to help better identify known computers in the output. This mapping is based on the MAC address and is unique. In the next scan, the tool highlights the systems selected in this way in green and thus differentiates them from the unknown computers. The -l
parameter gives you an overview of all the aliases; users can remove the names again using --remove
.
3 Stars DevicesInLAN quickly gives users an overview of computers on the network. The tool is ready for use immediately after unpacking and requires no configuration. The documentation is currently quite sparse because the project is at an early stage.
gxmessage 3.4.3
Graphical output for console tools
Source: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~trmusson/programs.html#gxmessage
License: GPLv3
Alternatives: Xmessage, Zenity
The Gtk xmessage clone gxmessage presents information or messages from your own scripts in a pop-up window on the desktop, accepts user input, and returns it to the program as exit code.
The dialogs are configured when called. Gxmessage supports most xmessage parameters. Users can, for example, customize the foreground and background colors and set the font, the font size, the title, the size, and the position of the window. Further parameters keep the window in the foreground or place it centrally, near the mouse pointer, or even across all virtual desktops. Users can define one or more buttons for interaction. Each button has a unique identifier and a return value.
Anyone wanting to use the same properties in all of their gxmessage dialogs can set the parameters in the configuration file, ~/.gtkrc
. The man page provides sample applications and detailed explanations.
5 Stars Gxmessage is a practical tool for integrating the output of your own scripts in Gtk interfaces. Because the tool is familiar with common xmessage parameters, users can customize existing scripts in just a few steps.
Site Monitoring 2.1.6
Web page monitor
Source: http://sitemonitoring.sourceforge.net
License: BSD
Alternatives: Monit, RelMon
Site Monitoring monitors web pages. The Java program checks general availability, HTTP codes, and the content based on samples provided by the user. It will detect all broken links at this point. The tool summarizes the results in visually appealing statistics.
Configuration and access to the evaluation occur through a web interface, where users can define new checks and edit or remove existing ones. You can determine what Site Monitoring looks for and when during each check. The tool will notify you about problems by email, if desired. User management is missing; unfortunately, there is only an admin account.
The developer Jirka Pinkas offers two commercial versions as well as the free version. The Professional version for around EUR140 per year integrates MySQL, PostgreSQL, Tomcat, and Jetty; the Enterprise issue also provides support for MS SQL, Oracle, and JBoss, as well as GlassFish, WebLogic, and WebSphere for around EUR285 per year.
4 Stars Site Monitoring is a useful Java tool that monitors websites and their content. Points were deducted for the lack of user accounts.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
OpenMandriva Lx 23.03 Rolling Release is Now Available
OpenMandriva "ROME" is the latest point update for the rolling release Linux distribution and offers the latest updates for a number of important applications and tools.
-
CarbonOS: A New Linux Distro with a Focus on User Experience
CarbonOS is a brand new, built-from-scratch Linux distribution that uses the Gnome desktop and has a special feature that makes it appealing to all types of users.
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.