I got some help from Rob1n and AlMehdi when I encountered some issues with my N900 so due to their help I'm posting a list of useful commands for Noobs with explanations for each command. If I make a mistake anywhere please notify me nicely I'm only doing this to help others in need.


apt-get update = updates local metadata detailing what apps are available in the repsitories




apt-get upgrade -y = upgrades any installed apps with newer versions (the -y is optional and just avoids it prompting you as to whether or not to proceed)



apt-get clean = will remove any dowmloaded package archives. Once the package is installed the dowmloaded file is no longer needed. The App Man does this automatically but if you're using "apt-get" you'll have to do it manually



apt-get autoclean = same as "apt-get clean" but only removes package archives which are obsolete (no longer in repsitories). Having run "apt-get clean it's pointless to run this command.



apt-get autoremove = removes any packages which are no longer needed. These are applications/libraries which were automatically installed because of dependencies but are no longer required



apt-get -f install = installs any missing dependencies (which should fix the broken packages issue I had)



dpkg --configure -a = fixes broken packages



ls -laS / or ls -laS /home/user or ls -laS/home/user/opt = shows you your biggest folders/files in the different locations



rm -r = removes all files or folders in a specific location



rm = removes singular file/folder from a location e.g. "rm -r /home/opt/themes" deletes all folders in the "themes" folder



[tab] key in X Terminal autocompletes words e.g. "rm -r /home/opt/themes/sun[tab] will finish the word as "sunset". Double [tab] would give you all the files starting with "sun". "rm -r /home/opt/[tab][tab] shows you what's in that "themes" folder



dpkg -l = shows you a list of all your programmes including those not visible in App Man



dpkg -P = removes the programme and all its configuration files e.g. "dpkg -P zenbound" uninstalles zenbound



find / = search for a file or folder in the complete system



find /home/user = search for a file or folder in /home/user



| grep <name> = what you're looking for e.g."dpkg -l |grep zen" lists all files in the system starting with "zen"



dpkg -l | awk '{print $2}' grep zen = nicer view



find / |grep zen = find all files with the "zen" beginning


rm -rf /home/opt/rovio/angrybirds/data/levels/pack2 = removes "mypack" custom levels

mkdir /home/opt/rovio/angrybirds/data/levels/pack2 = makes folder called "pack2"

This is the post that lead to this > http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=62986