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Enhancing Virtual Terminals with Byobu

The Community Ubuntu Documentation describes Byobu as a “text-based window manager.” The paradox is only apparent because, just as a window manager enhances an X session, Byobu enhances a virtual terminal, making it easy to open new tabs and adding a detailed status line.

Byobu was originally designed for Ubuntu but is now available for RPM distributions and other Unix-like systems. Running on top of GNU Screen or tmux — the choice is yours — the software takes its name from the comparison of its multiple tabs to the Japanese folding screens used as room dividers.

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