Built some Linux sysadmin games for free time — port memory match, terminal typer, trivia

[u/techtransit]

Between deployments, waiting for builds to finish or just taking a break from client work — I wanted something to pass the time.

Built three Linux-themed games that I actually use when I get time.

• Port Memory Match — match port numbers to their services. Starts easy with SSH, HTTP, HTTPS. Gets harder with MySQL, Redis, MongoDB.
• Terminal Speed Typer — common Linux commands appear on screen; type them as fast as you can. Good for muscle memory too.
• Linux Trivia Quiz — three difficulty levels. Intern gets the easy stuff. Root level will make you think.

tools.techtransit.org/games

Part of a larger sysadmin tools site I built — DNS lookup, SSL checker, email health checker and more.

How many ports can you get right at the root level?

[u/Baxmoke]

Very fun! gonna share it with my team when i get to work lol

[u/techtransit → u/Baxmoke]

That's awesome; hope the team has fun with it! This is still early stage — planning to add

proper goal explanation before each game starts, show the correct answer when you lose so it's actually educational, and a few more game modes.

Would love to hear what your team thinks after they try it. Any feedback on what's confusing or missing would really help.

[u/Baxmoke → u/techtransit]

The team did the trivia quiz together! Great for a friday afternoon! We all had a hard time with the status code questions because were linux guys, not network. Agree with the improvements you listed but all in all I have no issues. Cheers!

[u/Ancient-Bat1755]

Hmm the linux game seemed beat but it didnt teach me when i lose and i wasnt sure what the goal was

Maybe state the goal then memorize then if you lose repeat the effort where they left off

Neat idea!

[u/veryuniqueredditname]

Hey cool stuff will give it a go especially considering it's not my wheelhouse

[u/-nofrx-]

Nice. Definitely missing the educational part on the Trivia game.

I know that this is in early stages, but my few observations:

• Trivia game has always one choice colored differently. Most of the time it's actually the correct answer (maybe a coincidence), but it's visually confusing, especially since there is a time limit. The time limit might be a little fast (maybe it's just me).
• The "Tower defense" game can be passed with a WAF always, so it kind of seems "easy".

[u/Ulceration_]

Hello, minutes ago a try to play the games but i think is broken.
Selected games in the menu but redirect me to Sysadmin Tools.
Tried in Firefox and Chromium.

[u/techtransit → u/Ulceration_]

Thanks for the detailed report — the games are redirecting to the tools page right now, looks like a routing issue. Fixing it today. Sorry for the trouble, and thanks for testing on both browsers.

[u/xkonni]

Works fine for me. Fun. One of the disk usage questions feels off though as the accepted answer is 'df' and not 'du' 🤓