The Linux Desktop

Posted on March 1, 2010
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I have been an keen advocate of open source software and Linux in particular since discovering it back in early 2000, and the power it gave me to manage network environments. Network engineering is more core skill, and I discovered Linux and a myriad of network management tools whilst working for a cash strapped automotive firm.

As Linux improved in usability and hardware driver availability, I began using it on my desktop environments instead of excursively on servers. My reasons for running a Linux desktop and dumping windows were as follows.

I got fed up of paying £35-£50 to buy software to protect me from virus’s , and then not being sure that you are actually still virus free.
I got fed up of asking Microsoft for a new activation code for windows every time, I upgraded my Graphics card, or upgraded my PC.
I got fed-up of having my machine taken, over just by viewing a jpeg in Internet explorer.
I loved the fact that I could install software from Linux on-line catalogs for free.
I love the fact I have more tools to secure my computer ,without having to ask if I have the “Professional” or “Ultimate” versions of Linux.
I love the fact that I’m forced to run as a with non administrative rights, and elevate my right only when required.
I love the desktop effects and and virtual desktops which windows is only just starting to try and emulate.

Running a Linux desktop puts you back in control. You don’t feel that Microsoft have lent you the machine, or that your machine is actually owned by a teenager from china, and it’s in your house.

As for which version of Linux to use, yes there a lots to choose from, which makes things so interesting. One of the key ones which as had a key hand in making Linux so usable is Ubuntu Linux. “Linux for Human beings”.

Now when I’m approached to fix a virus ridden machines with about 12 botnets running on it. I also suggest the owners take a look at Linux.

9 times out of ten , most people moan that they wish they heard about Linux earlier.

If that’s the case ( you may ask). Why does Linux have less that 2% market share.

This will come clear in my later articles.

Thank you Ubuntu Developement team

Posted on December 14, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

Pictured below are the people involved in creating and developing Ubuntu Linux. This is just before version 9.10 was launched. if you have not tried Linux before. I recommend you give Ubuntu Linux a try.

Many thanks for all your hard work guys.

How to FAIL, even with good technology

Posted on December 2, 2009
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If you read my article on ” What is Applied Information Technology” you will see that I take the view that the use of technology in business should create strong benefits, otherwise technology becomes a burden. You should be able to see a direct business benefit in the operation of your business, and also your customer satisfaction due to your more efficient information management and hopefully your process’s .

One of the best case studies of how to fail, even with good technology is parcelforce worldwide . I have written this post due to the fact that I’m currently experiencing some symptoms of the serious failings of this business, and thought I would use this as a case study, and also to warn other people not to trust items to parcelforce until they improve their systems and process’s. An item I’m shipping overseas has been lost or stolen whilst entrusted to parcelforce. Yes I’m annoyed that the parcel has been lost, but the key area of study is how it is being dealt with.

This is what is highlighting some serious problems which I wish I knew before i tried to use there services. Especially after I have done some research I can see that it is far reaching. I had no idea things were like this.

Parcelforce are keen to highlight that in 2006 they received an IFW Freighting Industry Awards for technology Well as we approach 2010 it looks like the technology no longer fits the business, or it is not being used effectively and they are now firefighting.

Apparently in 2007 a number of new computer systems were installed to replace some of the older systems which they inherited from Royal Mail and Post office counters.

Here are some of the symptoms, As we approach the Christmas rush this organisation will be under greater strain, and I would recommend you find an alternative method of delivering items.

Electronically tracked items are lost without trace, which the investigations team can not locate
To make a claim for lost items, You download a claim form in PDF fill it in by hand and FAX it back to them
Once the claim is faxed, staff are not able to acknowledge receipt for at least 7 days. Hang on to your fax receipt
You can’t book online on your Apple Mac, Smartphone, netbook or Linux machine. Windows only
In June 2009 personal information customer information was leaked via the parcelforce.com website

“Competitive advantage does not come from possessing Information Technology, It comes from how well it is applied”

Caveat emptor ( buyer beware)

Posted on June 1, 2009
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Have you seen those adverts on the web or in the internet mags advertising server co-location. Co-location is where you pay a company to place your server on the internet in a data center. You pay a monthly or fee and you may sometimes a setup fee. Just like a mobile phone, different tarrifs are available, depending on your requirements. These are the key variables which will affect your pricing.

Bandwidth
Size, 1U, 2U etc
Additional IP addressing
Physical Firewall
**Power Consumption

The reason I have placed an asterisk next to power consumption is because this is a key area where you may get stung. Most hosting providers will have an introductory tarrif which will allow your server to consume 0.4a to 0.5a of power. If your server is pulling more than 0.4a when a measurement is taken, You will be charged extra for going over your allowance,

Seems fair at first glance, power & cooling is expensive after all. However , how many servers draw 0.5amps. You are hosting a server designed to serve hundreds of people, lots of ram and redundant power supplies and hard discs. Yet you have an allowance of 0.5amps. To put this in perspective, I have seen my little Fujitsu sub-note book draw 0.3amps when on charge.

Perhaps I should co-locate my sub-notebook.

The point of this posting is to let you be aware that the headline tarrifs you see for server hosting will not always be what you will pay. It is very important to know your hardware and how much power it use’s at idle, and also on full load. That £45 per month tarrif could end up costing you £75 per month because you did not do your homework.

Caveat emptor

Sockstress is able to cause internet meltdown

Posted on October 4, 2008
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A rather dangerous security flaw which can cause major havoc on the ability to deliver internet services has been discovered. A team of security researchers have discovered a security flaw in the protocol called TCP. TCP is the blood that flows through the internet. Without TCP the internet would not function as we know it.

To investigate this security flaw, an application called Sockstress has been created. This application has the ability to crash routers, Firewalls, Web Servers, Windows Servers and even Linux servers. This is a serious cross platform flaw which affects any internet device which offers internet based services. Even your small webserver sitting behind your broadband router is affected.

It works by causing what is known as a DOS (Denial of Service ) attack. This means the server will no longer be able to function or offer websites, Email or any internet based services.

It works by causing the internet server to consume large amounts of resources, and then it runs out of resources and stops working. Resources are things like Memory and Disc space. Every connection that is made to a internet servers requires resources. When a new connection is made , the servers will allocate resources for that connection. The more connections that are made, the more resources are allocated.

Sockstress creates connections to the internet server, then does nothing with them. The internet server then keeps asking “Can you use the connection now ?” and the answer is always no. And at the same time new connections are being made, and the process gets repeated. Eventually the server runs out of resources to offer to real customers, and it dies.

Think of it like this.

A few people telephone a restaurant and reserve a table. The restaurant reserves the table for that person. These people keep doing this over a period of time pretending to be different people. The restaurant reserves all it’s tables, calls in extra staff, cancels staff vacations and starts refusing real customers because all tables are reserved.

These trickster people who have made these reservations do not turn up and the restaurant tries to contact these people to see what’s happening. Some people can be contacted and they insist that they are coming, please do not unreserve my table.

During all this, the restaurant is no longer accepting reservations from real customers. The real customers have been denied service. Hence the term DOS “Denial Of Service” attack

This is a very simplistic view, but it conveys the principal of how the attack works.

I’m sure a workaround will be created soon, However at the moment we don’t have one, and the internet is as risk.

http://www.t2.fi/2008/08/27/jack-c-louis-and-robert-e-lee-to-talk-about-new-dos-attack-vectors/

keep looking »