Non-Linux users often say that Linux is not user friendly enough to be successful on the desktop. In a way, it is true primarily because some of the utilities bundled with Linux still require the user to drop to the command-line interface (CLI). One of the utilities is dd, a utility used to zero-out disks, copy disk images or even backup disks. However, not only does it require you to use the CLI, it also does not provide enough feedback on its progress whilst it is doing its magic. Quite friendly, eh?
Well, redhat Magazine has a way for you to find out what dd is doing in the background. At least you get some "progress report" on the process, right?
It is a good thing that ordinary users do not often need to run dd. :)