---
date: 2016-03-09T19:56:50+01:00
title: Tips and Tricks
weight: 20
---
## Managing software
Being based on Debian, AIMS Desktop uses the APT (Advanced Package Tool) to manage software.
Software and its dependencies on AIMS Desktop is managed via packages, for each program on
your computer, there is at least one package. Packages can be installed, removed or upgraded.
Here we will show you how to manage software using APT in the command line. APT needs root
(administrator) privileges, so you need to run it using the sudo command.
For example, if you want to install the program "meld", you would use `apt install`:
```
$ sudo apt install meld
The following NEW packages will be installed:
meld
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
```
If you would like to remove that package, you can use `apt remove`:
```
$ sudo apt remove meld
The following packages will be REMOVED:
meld
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
```
APT's remove tool plays it safe, and doesn't automatically remove configuration
files or data that may have been created for a package in the system. If you'd
like to remove that as well, you can use the purge command. This does not affect
any data in your home directory.
```
$ sudo apt purge meld
The following packages will be REMOVED:
meld*
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
```
You will notice an asterisk next to the package name, this indicates that the
package will be purged, as apposed to a normal removal.
{{< note title="Tip: GNOME Software" >}}
GNOME Software is a graphical front-end that supports APT.
It makes it easier to find and install software if
you're still new to the system.
{{< /note >}}
## Connecting to remote servers via SSH
Introduction: Servers that you
normally ssh into can be accessed through the Nautilus file manager.
This allows you browse your remote files, edit them and copy to and
from the remote server.
Step 1: Open Nautilus/Files
Step 2: In the location pane,
click on Other Locations.
Step 3: At the bottom there is a
field to Connect to Server.
Step 4: In this field enter
ssh://<user>@<server>, where
<user> is your username and
<server> is the address of the server you are
connecting to. Replace ssh with sftp if you
wish to connect to a SFTP server.
Step 5: This will prompt you for
a password if necessary and mount the location. You will see the
server in the left panel and a listing of files on the right.
Step 6: If you wish to bookmark this server for future use,
right-click on the server in the location pane and select
Add Bookmark
## Changing your password
- GNOME Desktop
- Step 1: Open the Activities
overview and start typing Users.
- Step 2: Click Users to
open the panel.
- Step 3: Click the label next to
Password.
- Step 4: Enter your current
password, then a new password.
- Enter your new password again in the
Verify New Password field. You can press the gear icon to
automatically generate a random password.
- Step 5: Click Change.
- Command Line
- Step 1: Open the terminal
- Step 2: Enter
passwd
and follow the prompts
- Enter your current password, your new
password and then confirm your new password. You will not be able to
see your password when you type it in.
- Choosing a Strong Password
- Make your passwords easy enough for
you to remember, but very difficult to for others to guess. Your
password guards your personal information, so you should make sure
it is a strong one.
- Use a mixture of upper-case and
lower-case letters, numbers, symbols and spaces in the password. A
good way of doing this to the take the first letter of each word
and the grammar of a phrase you can remember.
- Make your password as long as
possible. This makes it difficult for a person or computer to guess
it.
- Do not use one or two words from a
dictionary in any language. These are what programs use to try crack
your password.
- Do not use any personal information
such as a date, family member's name or a pet.
- Never write your password down.
- Use different passwords for different
things.
