#unix — HitReader

computer history Sep 13, 2026 5 min read

The Interim Computer Museum: Where Old Computers Still Answer Back

The Interim Computer Museum treats computing history as something you can use, not only observe. Explore how restored hardware, remote terminals, emulation, and software preservation bring older systems back to life.

by ahsan

#computer museums #emulation #retrocomputing #software preservation #unix

shell scripting Jul 26, 2026 5 min read

Why the shell colon matters: no-op, side effects, and safer scripts

In POSIX shells, `:` is the null command: it expands arguments, discards the result, and returns success. Pair it with parameter expansion like `${1:?message}` or `${var:=default}` to enforce required inputs and set defaults without extra `if` blocks.

by ahsan

#bash #posix #scripting #shell #unix