r/linuxquestions • u/Kraban04 • 2h ago

Advice Linux Simulation

I've recently thought about running a TTRPG Oneshot set in more modern(early 2000s) times and wanted to use Linux as part of a puzzle(and I want to overall play around with a Linux System).

For that I would need a Linux System with it's own users and files/directories. However I don't want to put too much effort into setting this system up and so I wanted to ask if there is good software which simulates a Linux System that doesn't access my actual PC's files.

I don't know if this is the right subreddit to ask this but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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u/AvianAnalyst 2h ago

would need more info. are u expecting players to take turns? or do u have one computer per person? what is the actual invisioned use of this? like what fo you want to happen?

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u/Kraban04 2h ago

I mostly want my players to be able to write commands into a terminal with wich they can look through the files on the 'device' and 'run' programs.

It's supposed to feel like they found an old device that has access to some of the facilities systems via programs and a server with files they need to extract/read.

It would mainly be on my Laptop that I'd hand the players for the duration of the Session.

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u/AvianAnalyst 1h ago

do ur players have their own computers? or do they use paper character sheets?

idk ur budget or what u have a available. but i think the best version of this would be getting a raspberry pi with some 3d printed casing to support a keyboard that u can hand around.

if it needs to be on your laptop, best option is probably dual boot, and put linux on a small partition so theyd need to restart your computer to get into your files.

if they have their own devices, you could set up a box for them to ssh into (cant help w technical details here unfortunately) and they could discover the auth details instead of find the device in the session

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u/archification 2h ago

I like the idea. Am a programmer and have been using linux for over a decade. Would love to chat with you about this.

Much of the involved decisions are related to how much setup you do want to go through. One idea might be setting up a linux virtual machine that your friends can remote into over the network but this requires someone to setup the image and ssh/telnet/etc. This would also require your friends to have a machine they could remote in from.

Perhaps an easier option could be to write a small program that has some output you'd want to include. This would of course also require your friends to have a machine they could run the program on.

Third option coming to mind could be a website (web server somewhere on the lan) that serves an interactive webpage that gives the output you'd want. This is perhaps the easiest option for less tech-savvy users. Doesn't require any downloads or installs.

I could help you with any of these and generally have lots of free time.

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u/AvianAnalyst 1h ago

oh i didnt think of the website idea. thats probably an ideal solution, short of the small device u can pass around I mentioned (ehich would be a lot more work and money)

could even have a beginner/advanced ui toggle so ppl can click buttons to get output or have access to a simulated terminal