A Command Line Web Browsing with Lynx and Links Tools

In today's world, we rely heavily on graphical user interfaces (GUI) for web browsing, but there are still situations where using a command-line web browser is necessary. Command-line web browsers are valuable in low-resource environments, remote servers, or when working exclusively through terminal interfaces. Lynx and Links are two of the most popular command-line web browsers that offer a fast and efficient way to browse the web through the terminal.

What is Lynx?

Lynx is a text-based web browser that allows users to browse the web in a terminal environment. Developed in 1992, it has remained popular due to its reliability and simplicity. Lynx is open-source and available for various operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports HTML, HTTPS, and FTP protocols, making it suitable for accessing websites, downloading files, and browsing directories.

Installing Lynx

Installing Lynx on Linux-based systems is straightforward, as it's usually included in default repositories. Open a terminal and use the following command for Ubuntu

sudo apt-get install lynx

For other Linux distributions, use your respective package manager to install Lynx.

Using Lynx

Once installed, open a terminal and type lynx followed by the URL of the website you wish to visit

lynx https://www.wikipedia.org

Navigation is done using arrow keys, and the Enter key follows links. Press G followed by a URL to go to a specific page. The default configuration file is located at /etc/lynx.cfg and can be modified to customize behavior.

What is Links?

Links is another text-based web browser that supports HTML, HTTPS, and FTP protocols. Developed in 1999, it's open-source and available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD systems. Links is similar to Lynx but offers additional features such as tabbed browsing and limited JavaScript support.

Installing Links

Installing Links follows the same process as Lynx. For Ubuntu, use

sudo apt-get install links

Using Links

Using Links is similar to Lynx. Open a terminal and type links followed by the URL

links https://www.wikipedia.org

Navigation uses arrow keys and Enter to follow links. Press T to open a new tab. The configuration file is located at /etc/links.cfg.

Comparison

Advantages

• Lightweight Both browsers consume minimal system resources compared to GUI browsers

• Speed Web pages load quickly due to their text-only nature

• Accessibility Excellent for users with visual impairments as they work with screen readers

• Remote Access Perfect for browsing on remote servers via SSH

Disadvantages

• Limited Functionality No support for multimedia content, CSS styling, or complex JavaScript

• Learning Curve Users must learn keyboard shortcuts and navigation commands

• Limited Interactivity Reduced support for forms, pop-ups, and modern web features

Common Use Cases

Basic Web Browsing

To visit a website, simply provide the URL

lynx https://www.google.com

Downloading Files

In Lynx, navigate to a download link and press D. In Links, navigate to the link and press Shift+D.

Viewing Directory Listings

Both browsers can display directory listings from web servers by navigating to the directory URL.

links https://example.com/files/

Conclusion

Lynx and Links are powerful command-line web browsers that provide fast, efficient web browsing through the terminal. While they lack modern web features, their lightweight nature and accessibility make them invaluable for system administration, remote server management, and environments with limited resources.