tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54476083978233430352024-03-21T18:48:25.460-04:00Linux AdvocatesLinux Advocacy. It's what we do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger349125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-41981959025860167862015-01-07T06:16:00.000-05:002015-01-07T06:16:04.778-05:00Goodbye Linux Advocates. Hello World.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajsHMVNkuts/VK0Sis6BnXI/AAAAAAAAakk/psC1Si6seao/s1600/hello-world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajsHMVNkuts/VK0Sis6BnXI/AAAAAAAAakk/psC1Si6seao/s1600/hello-world.jpg" height="480" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">I've decided to close Linux Advocates. It started out fun but turned into something else.<br />
<br />
People matter to me. There's a Big World out there and Linux is one small facet of my life.<br />
<br />
I'll continue to hang out on <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DietrichSchmitz/about" target="_blank">Google Plus</a> and, if the spirit moves me, write something on my <a href="http://www.dtschmitz.com/" target="_blank">personal website</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks to all the LA Contributors.<br />
<br />
So, Goodbye Linux Advocates. Hello World. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-4585229307583661672015-01-05T10:09:00.000-05:002015-01-05T10:18:04.678-05:00Comments Pre-Moderation is Now Off. Let the Cage Fight Begin.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfeBCNnxPlE/VKqnw4ZQCcI/AAAAAAAAacs/H--tp4KVyZ8/s1600/empty-cage-ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfeBCNnxPlE/VKqnw4ZQCcI/AAAAAAAAacs/H--tp4KVyZ8/s1600/empty-cage-ring.jpg" height="294" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16px;">It's 2015, last I checked. I have set comments to post without pre-moderation. Which is to say, you can write whatever you wish and it will post directly to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.disqus.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Disqus">DISQUS</a>.<br />
<br />
If you are well behaved, things will be fine. Otherwise, I will 'shoot and ask questions later'. ;)<br />
<br />
Let the Cage Fight begin! -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
I am looking for writers. If you have the chops, send an email to:<br />
dietrich@linuxadvocates.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-81950864934333263392014-12-30T18:42:00.002-05:002014-12-30T18:42:35.626-05:00Fedora Does Real World Work. Debian is for Hobbyists<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzl_GHbM-4E/VKMzmNipd-I/AAAAAAAAaE8/xtu2fVgwczo/s1600/steam-roller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zzl_GHbM-4E/VKMzmNipd-I/AAAAAAAAaE8/xtu2fVgwczo/s1600/steam-roller.jpg" height="454" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">It's interesting to watch the pace of change with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_Linux" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Desktop Linux">Linux on the Desktop</a>.<br />
<br />
Want technology on the leading edge? <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora</a> is here today with best of breed solutions, all of which merge to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/rhel" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat Enterprise Linux">Red Hat Enterprise Linux</a>, the largest commercial <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Linux distribution">Linux Distribution</a> in the World.<br />
<br />
Fedora was first to implement systemd.<br />
<br />
Fedora is first with a robust implementation of state of the art technologies including <a href="https://github.com/projectatomic/rpm-ostree" target="_blank">rpm-ostree</a> and <a href="https://www.docker.com/" target="_blank">Docker</a> on their <a href="http://www.projectatomic.io/" target="_blank">Project Atomic</a> platform. And, <a href="https://www.docker.com/" target="_blank">Cockpit</a> eases the process of managing servers and containers in the cloud via a unified web management interface.<br />
<br />
You see, at release 21, Fedora split into server, workstation, and cloud divisions.<br />
<br />
The transition was amazingly uneventful, due to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a>'s senior guidance and the incredibly hard work done by the Fedora Team coordinated with upstream <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gnome.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME">GNOME</a> Project.<br />
<br />
Fedora takes what they do very seriously and when it comes to meeting target milestones, they galvanize into action and meet them in a timely business-like fashion. <br /><br />Every time <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.debian.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Debian">Debian</a> runs into delays, that pushes back <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.canonical.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Canonical Ltd.">Canonical</a>'s <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Ubuntu (operating system)">Ubuntu</a> milestones who hitched their wagon to Debian and delays get passed in turn down the line to the rest of the Ubuntu derivatives who hitched their wagons to Ubuntu. It's a serious problem, particularly for Canonical Ltd. who are trying to run a business.<br />
<br />
No, the real work is done by Red Hat/Fedora in the business world. No messing around. No divisiveness, stalling, stonewalling. Tasks move along with rhythm and cadence, all oarsmen stroking to a beat, following directions and executing them as ordered in synchronous precision.<br />
<br />
<br />
Debian is the proverbial speed-bump on the road to innovation and with an 18 month release cycle nothing gets done in a hurry.<br />
<br />
Debian devotees won't like to read this but, Debian isn't behaving like a professional Distro should. They allow themselves the luxury of procrastination and all the while 'make pretend' some highly technical issue must be considered before embarking on any kind of work. I call it 'work avoidance'. Because, that is really what it is under a veil of techno-speak designed to obfuscate what is or isn't really happening in their hallowed organization. If they are to survive, a radical change must be made to their <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Release_management" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Release management">release management</a> policy.<br />
<br />
The real world can't afford to behave like 'hobbyists'. The real world won't wait. Debian is falling farther behind, but that's okay as far as they are concerned.<br />
<br />
The work will get done. Eventually. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Fedora does the real-world work. Debian is for hobbyists. -- Dietrich</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-83747549376306903272014-12-24T17:07:00.000-05:002014-12-24T17:07:37.332-05:00Merry Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbunSDIBFN0/VJs3CsKEXjI/AAAAAAAAZ4Y/EOgWh-xFV0c/s1600/currier_n_ives_winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbunSDIBFN0/VJs3CsKEXjI/AAAAAAAAZ4Y/EOgWh-xFV0c/s1600/currier_n_ives_winter.jpg" height="336" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Currier and Ives Winter (Image credit: familychristmasonline.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas Folks. -- Dietrich</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.familychristmasonline.com/stories_bible/bible.htm" target="_blank">The Bible Story of Christmas</a></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-19916997770733066062014-12-21T17:25:00.002-05:002014-12-21T17:25:25.740-05:00What Difference Does it Make if I Use Chrome vs. Firefox?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fGdnBqkluE/VJc7VfbXVMI/AAAAAAAAZyE/3pTt1szMx9M/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-21%2B15%3A52%3A54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fGdnBqkluE/VJc7VfbXVMI/AAAAAAAAZyE/3pTt1szMx9M/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-21%2B15%3A52%3A54.png" height="338" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Mozilla Firefox <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" target="_blank" title="Open Source">Open Source</a> Web Browser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">What difference does it make if I use <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/chrome" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Chrome">Chrome</a> vs. Firefox?<br />
<br />
<i>Transparency:</i><br />
</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_%28behavior%29" target="_blank"><b>Transparency</b></a>, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability.
Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to
see what actions are performed. It has been defined simply as "the
perceived quality of intentionally shared information from a sender".
For example, a cashier making change after a point of sale transaction
by offering a record of the items purchased (e.g., a receipt) as well as
counting out the customer's change on the counter demonstrates
transparency.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google">Google</a>
chose to make Chrome, as distinguished from its open source counterpart <a href="http://www.chromium.org/Home" target="_blank">Chromium</a>, proprietary, non-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" target="_blank" title="Open Source">open source</a>. Their
decision to exclude public access to the software's code was
intentional and designed to place the end-user at a 'disadvantage'.<br />
<br />
Should
the public have a right to participate in oversight of software's <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Source code">source code</a> that
runs on their <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Personal computer">personal computers</a>? The answer is an emphatic yes.<br />
<br />
If an end-user chooses proprietary solutions, they leave themselves open to exploitation in
some fashion. The licensing terms restrict, the true functionality of
the software cannot be vetted as being devoid of
'rogue code' or having hidden <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonware" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Abandonware">unmaintained software</a> defects which, if unpatched, could leave said software
in a vulnerable state.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Global Crime Rings find defects and then sell exploit kits on the black market for as yet unpatched '<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-day_attack" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Zero-day attack">Zero Day Exploits</a>'. The likelihood that an unpatched <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bug" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Software bug">software defect</a> will remain unnoticed increases when using <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Proprietary software">proprietary software</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Most often Linux open source is updated with a downloadable patch within a matter of hours of discovery. If on the other hand the end-user is running <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.6395972222,-122.12845&spn=0.01,0.01&q=47.6395972222,-122.12845%20(Microsoft)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> Windows Legacy, a patch may never come if the vulnerability remains hidden, unnoticed by Microsoft programming staff, or, at best will be corrected on '<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patch_Tuesday" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Patch Tuesday">Patch Tuesday</a>', once a month by Microsoft.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">The point I hope readers get from this post is this: </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">With open source code maintenance, it is difficult at best for an exploitable software 'bug' to go unnoticed for an extended period of time, and it is near-impossible to merge 'rogue code' into a developer team's git repo tree which gets reviewed by many peers around the globe.<br />
<br />
The World can and will thrive if we
all share, each and every one of us. It is our human nature to do so.
Without sharing, we will continue to see great exploitation by proprietary business and
government which results in human inequality and suffering.<br />
<br />
Make a statement which is powerful. Demand openness.<br />
<br />
Insist on and be selective by using <i>only</i> open source software.<br />
<br />
Open Source and free Firefox can be downloaded <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/" target="_blank">here</a>. -- Dietrich</span></span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-11121288322664612692014-12-19T14:53:00.001-05:002014-12-19T14:53:30.833-05:00Using Extensible Blockchain to Sign Digital Documents and Copyrighted Materials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibSqKANBlt8/VJR-_zjRXDI/AAAAAAAAZts/-w07HRFkqOo/s1600/Image_deleted_DMCA_on_black.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibSqKANBlt8/VJR-_zjRXDI/AAAAAAAAZts/-w07HRFkqOo/s1600/Image_deleted_DMCA_on_black.png" height="600" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It should be apparent to anyone who has watched the progress of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Bitcoin">Bitcoin</a> that it behaves as a virtual commodity. It also is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungibility" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Fungibility">fungible</a> in that one Bitcoin can be exchanged for an equal quantity anywhere in the World.<br />
<br />
The success of bitcoin comes from its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin#The_block_chain" target="_blank">Blockchain</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_design" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Software design">software design</a>.<br />
<br />
Every Bitcoin has a unique signature that follows it through its travels from one Wallet to another. That 'fingerprint' never goes away and remains an indelible and essential property.<br />
<br />
The bitcoin's <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ownership" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ownership">ownership</a> cannot be transferred from one owner more than once, much as a Dollar with a unique <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_number" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Serial number">serial number</a> is physically exchanged on a transaction. The serial number follows the life of that dollar and is always associated with it at any point in time.<br />
<br />
So, we see clearly that bitcoin does indeed work, and we see indirectly that the underlying extensible blockchain can be applied to other scenarios.<br />
<br />
Digital Legal documents, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Copyright">copyrighted</a> documents, books, images, videos, audio files all can benefit from using the blockchain technology.<br />
<br />
Imagine if the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.mpaa.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Motion Picture Association of America">MPAA</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://riaa.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America">RIAA</a> dispensed with their legal campaign to protect copyrighted works and turned to blockchain technology.<br />
<br />
In a blockchain server for music for example, each discrete copy of an 'album' or 'song' would contain an embedded fingerprint to live with the copyrighted material for its entire life in the music equivalent of a bitcoin 'ledger'.<br />
<br />
That discrete quantity would then become protected by its identity in the global ledger as is the case for bitcoin. And that music could not be dispensed twice or its in-built encrypted ledger cross-check would return an error to stop the work from being used in more than one instance.<br />
<br />
Music might be a blockchain with attributes only for transfer of ownership of just once.<br />
<br />
Other kinds of documents might lend to having ownership transferrable multiple times, such as works of art.<br />
<br />
This is my thought process and I hope that we as a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_society" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Global society">global society</a> move in this direction. It affords solutions to reduce and eliminate much of the current costs imposed on businesses which need to protect their copyrighted and Legal materials and eliminate theft of said materials entirely.<br />
<br />
-- Dietrich</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-64227633845807592232014-12-19T12:49:00.000-05:002014-12-19T12:50:06.996-05:00Do Smartwatches Make You Stupid?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBK4BcZC0gY/VJRc5VdOHcI/AAAAAAAAZtc/pWjNOK7dKHw/s1600/smartwatches-600x322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RBK4BcZC0gY/VJRc5VdOHcI/AAAAAAAAZtc/pWjNOK7dKHw/s1600/smartwatches-600x322.jpg" height="322" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smartwatches (Image credit: theregister.co.uk)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The implied advertisement <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subliminal_stimuli" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Subliminal stimuli">subliminal message</a>: "You need this. You can't live without it."<br />
<br />
The newest wave of technology apparatus has reached American soil. Among the many offerings now comes Smartwatches.<br />
<br />
Yes, they not only look smart, but, they are smart in the sense of having none other than a built in computer -- literally.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but when I come home, at night I take my analog Timex watch off and leave it on the dresser where it stays until the next day.<br />
<br />
Yet, I too am the same person who in the 70's was the first to buy an <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Light-emitting diode">LED</a> watch. I have always been a 'sucker' for technology. Was then. Am now.<br />
<br />
So, how important is it to have a smartwatch? Will it change my life for the better? Is it a fad? And if so, what will it be replaced by in the next technology wave?<br />
<br />
These are things I think about. I haven't had a bad case of techno-lust for quite some time. Not since 2007 <a class="zem_slink" href="http://cesweb.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="International CES">CES</a> did I experience a bad case of it.<br />
<br />
That was the year of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://nokia.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Nokia">Nokia's</a> N95 smartphone. It was also the year for the introduction of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.33182,-122.03118&spn=1.0,1.0&q=37.33182,-122.03118%20(Apple%20Inc.)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Apple Inc.">Apple's</a> first smartphone, the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/iphones/" rel="boostvirginphone" target="_blank" title="iPhone">iPhone</a>.<br />
<br />
I didn't hesitate to buy the N95. It was (and still is in many respects) the best technology I'd ever seen or wanted.<br />
<br />
The price $800 wasn't an obstacle. It's all about want vs. need. I <i>wanted </i>it.<br />
<br />
Do I feel anything akin to that today? Nope. In fact, I don't like most <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lg.com/us/smartphones" rel="lgmu" target="_blank" title="LG Smartphones">smartphones</a>. I'd rather have a phone with buttons personally. I miss that aspect of the N95.<br />
<br />
But time marches on. Here come the smartwatches. And now a new young generation swells with lust to have. Their focus diverts from the smartphone.<br />
<br />
Will the smartphone get left behind? I don't think so.<br />
<br />
But I am not convinced smartwatches will be anything as large a market as smartphones is.<br />
<br />
So, is using a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartwatch" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Smartwatch">Smartwatch</a> stupid? I argue for the point that it is, unless someone can convince me otherwise.<br />
<br />
If I need to carry any form of computing on my person, it will remain the smartphone if I can locate a decent one that lives up to my expectations.<br />
<br />
Smartwatches isn't something that represents a life changer like the smartphone. It's just proof that we can put silicon wafer chips into smaller and smaller form factors, that's all. And I don't need to prove that by wearing one.<br />
<br />
-- Dietrich</span></span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-69601230492116415092014-12-18T13:05:00.001-05:002014-12-18T16:41:58.066-05:00Your Browser: A General Purpose Remote Code Execution Tool<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ofPPgitmFc/VJMRC0a3juI/AAAAAAAAZsc/BfycuHmVq8c/s1600/virus-attack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ofPPgitmFc/VJMRC0a3juI/AAAAAAAAZsc/BfycuHmVq8c/s1600/virus-attack.png" height="246" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Chrome web browser security warning message</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I've been reviewing the current state of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Internet privacy">Internet Privacy</a>.<br />
<br />
It's still a mixed bag and my conclusion is that it will remain so for quite some time.<br />
<br />
Efforts to provide Internet Privacy are varied, depending on which ISP is employed.<br />
<br />
The primary means for conveyance to a target website to do any kind of task is the web browser.<br />
<br />
To put security risk into context, the web browser is a remote code execution tool.<br />
<br />
Yep. Let that sink in for a minute.<br />
<br />
Where
ever the user goes, the browser is set to 'trust' a remote stream of
bytes which get 'interpreted' as program instructions on your PC by the
web engine.<br />
<br />
Sounds quite troubling when you think about it really.<br />
<br />
I
mean, your browser is one big catcher's mit and absorbs everything it
sees in an attempt to execute instructions sent from a remote web
server.<br />
<br />
So, this catcher's mit is by default a 'security risk'.<br />
<br />
Different
software vendors take different approaches to the responsibility of
writing their software in a manner that ensures it should always operate
securely.<br />
<br />
For example, Internet Explorer on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows">Microsoft
Windows</a>, is written by Microsoft and employs 'protected mode', something
akin to a software sandbox, but, technically isn't.<br />
<br />
Google Chrome for Windows is designed with a quasi-sandbox by Google Engineers. But they have publicly stated it cannot stop certain kinds of exploits (Javascript <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLL_injection" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="DLL injection">DLL injection</a>) from successfully executing and gaining administrative control on Legacy Windows. This is a fact.<br />
<br />
But, that isn't really my point. In each software project some 'defensive' coding has or has not taken place.<br />
<br />
I've reported in the past that, where <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora Linux</a> is concerned, users running Firefox, the default installed browser, are placed in a 'real' sandbox, called <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Security_Modules" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Linux Security Modules">Linux Security Modules</a> (LSM) and the particular module used by Fedora is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security-Enhanced_Linux" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Security-Enhanced Linux">SELinux</a>.<br />
<br />
From a security standpoint, this is a prime differentiator between <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.intenseschool.com/boot_camp/linux" rel="intenseschoollinux" target="_blank" title="Linux Boot Camp">Linux</a> and Windows.<br />
<br />
An exploit may propagate on Windows running Chrome. It will never propagate using Linux with SELinux.<br />
<br />
The word 'never' comes with a catch. You see the browser's memory space is up for 'fair game' and various code, Java, Javascript can execute remotely exposing certain parts of your running PC.<br />
<br />
In theory, nothing bad should happen and it is assumed that code in the browser PID will never escalate to the Admin level.<br />
<br />
But what it is doing in its own memory space is an open question. The issue of cross site scripting remains an unsolved problem.<br />
<br />
In this context, if a user chooses to employ a browser-based security tool designed to protect their local PC, this sets up the conditions -- a 'fictional' exploit may, for example, attempt to steal a local browser's in-memory private keys for encryption.<br />
<br />
So, you see, I am revising my thinking. I'm not sure any more about using the browser for any kind of security. It's that risky.<br />
<br />
Using compiled, well maintained free standing open source security applications is entirely a different matter.<br />
<br />
For example, I have Gmail. But I don't use the browser client to access it.<br />
I use GNOME Shell's integrated Evolution <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email_client" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Email client">Email client</a>, which is also used to prepare outgoing mail using <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gnupg.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNU Privacy Guard">GnuPG</a> (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.openpgp.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Pretty Good Privacy">OpenPGP</a>) encryption.<br />
<br />
The PID for decoding/encoding gmail runs in Evolutions local memory space, <b>not in a browser</b>. Once the email is encrypted, signed, it is then and only then sent and a copy gets stored (IMAP) on the Gmail web server, in PGP encrypted form.<br />
<br />
That's a routine process I feel confident in completely.<br />
<br />
The notion that other software vendors can fork GnuPG and refactor it in Javascript troubles me. This is precisely what Google is doing in their End-to-End encryption project, currently in Alpha.<br />
<br />
The whole end to end encryption runs as javascript in the browser.<br />
That puts the whole premise of security in the hands of the browser.<br />
<br />
It's not acceptable. Even now, I am rethinking how MEGA works. Again, here, there is secureboot.js code running in your browser.<br />
<br />
I believe there has to be a total segregation from the browser for any kind of security tool client application. It must be compiled. It must be open source and it must employ upstream industry standard GnuPG OpenPGP.<br />
<br />
The browser will always be a target for attack. Always. Letting it also run your security is a fundamental mistake. -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-26808571815874496052014-12-13T14:15:00.001-05:002014-12-13T14:45:28.075-05:00Kim DotCom Facing Down a Death Sentence Without a Trial<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4KTNyJByJw/VIx-Nd1yddI/AAAAAAAAZmc/oH4N3ic5oiU/s1600/Q5VGEmT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4KTNyJByJw/VIx-Nd1yddI/AAAAAAAAZmc/oH4N3ic5oiU/s1600/Q5VGEmT.png" height="332" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim Schmitz aka <a class="zem_slink" href="http://kim.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Kim Dotcom">Kim DotCom</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Many of the readers of this story know of Kim Schmitz aka Kim DotCom. It's a mix of either great respect or contempt depending on what is understood about him.<br />
<br />
There is an untold story about him that needs to be recorded as to what happened to his <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaupload" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Megaupload">MegaUpload</a> website.<br />
<br />
MegaUpload was a popular file sharing website up to a few years ago when it was summarily ordered to be taken down by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_the_United_States" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Federal government of the United States">U.S. Federal Government</a>.<br />
<br />
As Kim recently <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/03/megaupload-got-a-death-sentence-without-trial-says-kim-dotcom-in-first-tv-interview/" target="_blank">said</a> the MegaUpload case is "a death sentence without a trial".<br />
<br />
He has <a href="http://recode.net/2014/12/01/u-s-loses-bid-to-revoke-megaupload-founders-bail-conditions/" target="_blank">managed</a> to remain out of jail in New Zealand up to now but his financial resources have dwindled. In the time spent since MegaUpload's take down, Mr. Schmitz formed <a href="https://mega.co.nz/" target="_blank">Mega</a>, the technological embodiment of change necessary to avoid MegaUpload ever happening again.<br />
<br />
Mega is now in full production offering 50 gigabytes of free cloud storage space.<br />
<br />
What sets it apart from other cloud <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Internet service provider">ISPs</a>? <br />
<br />
MEGA employs Zero Knowledge end-to-end encryption (ZKE) and a <a href="http://www.linuxadvocates.com/2014/12/megasync-your-cloud-data-for-true.html" target="_blank">MEGAsync</a> graphical drag/drop files client to 100% guarantee privacy.<br />
<br />
What the technology also affords is something which took down MegaUpload in the first place. Plausible Deniability. ZKE ensures Mega knows nothing about your data. It is just an encrypted block of data.<br />
<br />
Mr. Schmitz was assumed guilty of being complicit with illicit file sharing activities, alleged to have occurred on MegaUpload. Today, he still maintains his innocence but a legal case is pending.<br />
<br />Despite his adversities, he has somehow managed to achieve what few others have. Cloud storage can and should be a safe choice. Your data and meta data on the Internet are presumed to be yours and only yours. They belong to no one else. Mega, the fruit of Mr. Schmitz' labors, is a resounding success.<br />
<br />
In reality, few ISPs offer such guarantees.<br />
<br />
Mr. Schmitz just put up on his personal website a <a href="http://kim.com/whitepaper.pdf" target="_blank">Whitepaper</a> which is a 'must read'. It tells the untold story of what happened to MegaUpload.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUxKVxiNYhk/VIyFXBM_caI/AAAAAAAAZms/qwEB_1VYGl4/s1600/pNWHhfE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dUxKVxiNYhk/VIyFXBM_caI/AAAAAAAAZms/qwEB_1VYGl4/s1600/pNWHhfE.png" height="307" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim DotCom Twitters a message to let the public know about his just published whitepaper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Here is part of the whitepaper's opening Executive Summary:<br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The criminal prosecution of Megaupload and Kim Dotcom is purportedly the “largest copyright </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">case in history,” involving tens of millions of users around the world, and yet it is founded on highly dubious legal principles and apparently propelled by the White House’s desire to mollify the motion picture industry in exchange for campaign contributions and political support.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The U.S. government’s attack on the popular cloud storage service Megaupload and the dramatized arrest of Kim Dotcom, the company’s principal founder – together with the seizure of all their worldwide assets – represents one of the clearest examples of prosecutorial overreach in recent history. One day after the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8897222222,-77.0088888889&spn=0.01,0.01&q=38.8897222222,-77.0088888889%20(United%20States%20Congress)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="United States Congress">U.S. Congress</a> failed to enact the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the executive branch of the U.S. government commandeered Megaupload in a coordinated global take-down, and drew battle lines between digital rights advocates, technology innovators and ordinary information consumers on the one side, and Hollywood and the rest of the Copyright Lobby on the other.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Megaupload operated for seven years as a successful cloud storage business that enabled tens of millions of users around the world to upload and download content of the users’ own choosing and initiative. The spectrum of content ran from (to name just a few) family photos, artistic designs, business archives, academic ourse work, legitimately purchased files, videos and music, and – as with any other cloud storage service – some potentially infringing material. Despite Megaupload’s lawful uses, the U.S. government has charged the company and its executives under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, and has branded the company, its personnel and its tens of millions of users a “criminal enterprise” dedicated solely to infringing U.S. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.legalzoom.com/copyrights-guide/copyright-advantages.html" rel="legalzoom" target="_blank" title="Copyrights">copyright laws</a>.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
The U.S. government’s case against Megaupload is grounded in a theory of criminal secondary</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">copyright infringement. In other words, the prosecution seeks to hold Megaupload and its executives criminally responsible for alleged infringement by the company’s third-party cloud storage users. The problem with the theory, however, is that secondary copyright infringement is not – nor has it ever been – a crime in the United States. The federal courts lack any power to criminalize secondary copyright infringement; the U.S. Congress alone has such authority, and it has not done so.</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
As such, the Megaupload prosecution is not only baseless, it is unprecedented. Although the U.S. government has previously shut down foreign websites engaged in direct infringement, such as the sale or distribution of infringing material, never before has it brought criminal charges against a cloud file storage service because of the conduct of its users. Thus, the Megaupload case is the first time the government has taken down a foreign website – destroying the company and seizing all of the assets of its owners (and the data of its users), without so much as a hearing – based on a crime that does not exist.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
Clearly, there was a baseless rush to judgment without any legal due process of law. In fact, there was total disregard for protective mechanisms in our U.S. Constitution that <i>should</i> have resulted in Mr. Schmitz being presumed "innocent until proven guilty".<br />
<br />
Dear Reader, we live in very troubled times and I would dare say at this time we don't have much in the way of Constitutional rights which are negated by special Supreme Court Judicial powers that ignore the Constitution, the continuing presence of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act" target="_blank">Patriot Act</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defense_Authorization_Act" target="_blank">NDAA</a>.<br />
<br />Thus, I feel obligated to share this developing story with you in order to shine the light on a 'wrong' dealt to a Man who has shown himself to be of great integrity and willing to stand up for his and your rights and fight back.<br />
<br />
Please help Kim Schmitz by reading and sharing his whitepaper with Friends and Family, your state Senator and Congressman. -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-80204909847466143122014-12-09T13:43:00.000-05:002014-12-09T13:43:50.096-05:00Linux Turla Malware Infection? Not Going to Happen.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjiDGk8nCk4/VIc_w8tlEpI/AAAAAAAAZeE/0mrNMrCrbn4/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-09%2B13%3A29%3A27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjiDGk8nCk4/VIc_w8tlEpI/AAAAAAAAZeE/0mrNMrCrbn4/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-09%2B13%3A29%3A27.png" height="528" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cdoor.c - packet coded backdoor (credit: phenolit.de)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">C'mon. <a href="https://securelist.com/blog/research/67962/the-penquin-turla-2/" target="_blank">Here</a> is yet another sensational report 'wishing' that Linux is infection prone. It isn't okay?<br />
<br />
The SecureList authors imply that there is a Linux version of a known <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows">Windows</a> malware, called <a href="http://usa.kaspersky.com/internet-security-center/threats/epic-turla-snake-malware-attacks" target="_blank">Turla</a>. Conveniently, they call it a variant.<br />
<br />
Where is the documentation for a Linux 'vector of infection'? Oops, somehow, they forgot to include it.<br />
<br />
Including the <a href="http://www.phenoelit.org/stuff/cd00r.c" target="_blank">source code</a> doesn't count as documentation for <i>vector of infection</i>. It merely documents the program's purpose, not <i>how</i> it lands on a Linux PC.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, one can visit <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.kaspersky.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Kaspersky Lab">Kaspersky</a> to see it is well-documented for Windows.<br />
<br />
This code simply isn't in any <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_repository" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Software repository">Linux repository</a>.<br />
<br />
That means one must intentionally deviate and go outside of the keyring-protected repo of applications 'into the wild' to obtain this <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_security_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Rogue security software">rogue software</a>. <br />
<br />
By definition, a trojan, requires one to install the application and then explicitly run it to have its 'payload' execute.<br />
<br />
In the conclusion of the SecureList story, the authors wrote:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Although Linux variants from the Turla framework were known to exist, we haven't seen any in the wild yet.</i>"</blockquote>
Paleeze. This sensational reporting has got to stop.<br />
<br />
Known to exist? Based on what exactly? Again, no details.<br />
<br />
Folks, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora</a> Linux is the safest operating system on the Planet.<br />
<br />
I stake my reputation on it. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-56133937523083089642014-12-07T20:41:00.000-05:002014-12-12T13:02:20.246-05:00Linux Distro Survey 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/GfGlvBN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/GfGlvBN.png" height="406" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Results of Linux Distro Survey 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: red;"><br /><b>[Edit: Linux Distro Survey 2014 is closed. See summary above. Details can be obtained by clicking the the 'View results' link below.]</b><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So, okay, it's been a while since I did a survey. You know the drill. Time to pick your brain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What is your favorite <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Linux distribution">Linux Distribution</a>? <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-NY2NQVWV/" target="_blank">[View results]</a></span></h3>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You know mine. Ah hem. So, go ahead and participate if you would. I'll close the survey at the end of this week on Friday, December 12, 2014.<br />
<br />
Thanks. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div id="surveyMonkeyInfo">
<div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-52541643158869874432014-12-05T15:17:00.000-05:002014-12-05T15:22:12.653-05:00ALERT: A Software Security Transparency Breach Warning<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLVCxfr4Lww/VIIOQMsb5KI/AAAAAAAAZRM/sDR9mETEl2I/s1600/proprietary-code.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLVCxfr4Lww/VIIOQMsb5KI/AAAAAAAAZRM/sDR9mETEl2I/s1600/proprietary-code.jpg" height="360" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Image credit: Wikipedia.org)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We've witnessed what happens when changes in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Source code">source code</a> to intentionally insert rogue code go unnoticed.<br />
<br />
The example of how the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.109,-76.77&spn=0.01,0.01&q=39.109,-76.77%20(National%20Security%20Agency)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="National Security Agency">NSA</a> intentionally inserted weakened string constants into <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliptic_curve_cryptography" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Elliptic curve cryptography">Elliptic Curve Cryptography</a> lay hidden for several years, in fact, and was only exposed by a languishing open <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a> trouble ticket. What was odd was how given the potential seriousness of the incident, no action was being taken to look at the source code and change it. As more comments appended to the ticket, the level of suspicion grew to the point of where <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.nist.gov/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="National Institute of Standards and Technology">NIST</a> was forced to open up an investigation.<br />
<br />
It was a potential public relations disaster in the making for them, as they pleaded being unaware of what the NSA had done. Immediately, the code base was opened up for public comment. The code has since received a thorough going over, particularly those merged diffs that sourced from the NSA and corrective action was taken.<br />
<br />
But, this was a roadside billboard that <i>should</i> have alerted everyone in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software_movement" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Free software movement">FOSS Community</a> to the realization that every corner of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open_source_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Free and open source software">FOSS</a> should be revisited for a thorough security review and vetting.<br />
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obfuscation_%28software%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Obfuscation (software)">Code obfuscation</a> should be a 'red flag' to anyone who has seen it. The first concern should be: Why is this code obfuscated? If there isn't good documentation giving a reason for doing so, then, it's time to dig in and find out what the code is or isn't doing, at the very least.<br />
<br />
It is believed, however, relative to all FOSS code, little obfuscated code exists.<br />
<br />
It would be most difficult to secret rogue code otherwise, as it must pass several levels of code review to reach final merge.<br />
<br />
This is why it is an imperative that the FOSS Community become rigid and not deviate on the issue of Security Transparency.<br />
<br />
Security Transparency assurance can only be guaranteed if and only if ALL source code is vetted independently by more than one project maintainer. Oversight must be maintained and all <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.intenseschool.com/boot_camp/linux" rel="intenseschoollinux" target="_blank" title="Linux Boot Camp">Linux</a> Distribution binaries which don't provide accompanying Gnu General Public Licensed (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="GNU General Public License">GPL</a>) source code should be rejected out of hand as not just a license violation but also a breach of Security Transparency.<br />
<br />That being the case, Linux Advocates is taking a position against the following software vendor sources of 'semi-open' code bases. They are:<br />
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Google ChromeOS</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Google Chrome Browser</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Opera Browser</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
Linux Advocates categorically does not support using the above-listed products which include a mix of open source and proprietary code. There is an attendant heightened risk of exposure to cyber attack and exploitation when using any non-FOSS proprietary stack implementation on your computing device.<br />
<br />
Enforce Security Transparency by insisting on using Linux with GPL <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Open source software">open source code</a> only. -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-24990779957295678252014-12-05T09:24:00.000-05:002014-12-05T09:24:48.700-05:00December 9, 2014: The Day Desktop Computing Got Fun Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCDs59SQ_v4/VIG6yOGW9yI/AAAAAAAAZQ0/7ol6xd-TRAQ/s1600/Logo_fedoralogo-890x270.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCDs59SQ_v4/VIG6yOGW9yI/AAAAAAAAZQ0/7ol6xd-TRAQ/s1600/Logo_fedoralogo-890x270.png" height="182" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Remember when <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_computer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Desktop computer">Desktop Computing</a> was fun?<br />
<br />
The early days of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Ubuntu (operating system)">Ubuntu</a> were a time when <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gnome.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME">GNOME</a> really had things going for it. Then, one <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.markshuttleworth.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Mark Shuttleworth">Mark Shuttleworth</a> took the product in another direction. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://unity.ubuntu.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Unity (user interface)">Unity</a>.<br />
<br />
Unity was initially interesting but didn't fit usability and that began the period of when I didn't like what I saw happening to Ubuntu.<br />
<br />
During that period, The GNOME Foundation was undergoing its own change. GNOME 2.x was determined at end of life and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://live.gnome.org/GnomeShell" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME Shell">GNOME Shell</a>, a concept <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Graphical user interface">GUI</a> was established.<br />
<br />
As with any GUI paradigm change comes a period of 'growing pains'. I was really resistant to what GNOME was doing. And so, I spent a long period in search of a good alternative GUI. Ultimately, I found myself liking <a class="zem_slink" href="http://lxde.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="LXDE">LXDE</a>, and dwelled in Lubuntu.<br />
<br />
Then, I tried <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora</a> 18 LXDE spin. I concluded it was from a technical standpoint as good as Lubuntu.<br />
<br />
Philosophically, I didn't like what Debian and Ubuntu were doing.<br />
<br />
When it became apparent that Mark Shuttleworth was running his own railroad and broke ties with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_GNOME_Project" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="The GNOME Project">The GNOME Project</a>, I thought he was trying to control delays in upstream decision making. That made good business sense.<br />
<br />
But in the process, he flip-flopped on putting full support behind Wayland turning to creating his 'own' Display driver, Mir.<br />
<br />
To make it short and to the point, there is no other Distro which uses Unity. NONE.<br />
<br />
Today, Unity is on an island all by itself.<br />
<br />
During the period of 'transition' The GNOME Project came out with initial revisions with GNOME Classic 'fall-back' to keep the malcontents happy. In each iteration, GNOME made feature enhancements in an effort to continually refine the 3.x shell.<br />
<br />
Each major revision, I gave it a try and turned away giving it a 'thumbs down' on usability.<br />
<br />
Until 3.12, I didn't like Shell. It was at that level it became truly usable and ready for prime time. That was a year ago.<br />
<br />
Today, GNOME Shell has reached 3.14 and I have been using it for several months on Fedora 21 Alpha/Beta/RC Workstation.<br />
<br />
Even with Alpha, I found myself smiling and laughing at just how well the interface meshed. It is polished, professional and just fun to use.<br />
<br />Yes, it is fun to use. I really haven't felt that way in a very long time and I look forward to turning on my PC every day because Fedora 21 Workstation with GNOME Shell 3.14 is just that good. I would add, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:RHT" rel="googlefinance" target="_blank" title="NYSE: RHT">Red Hat</a> is the largest supporter of The GNOME Foundation and has worked closely in the design of GNOME Shell. Red Hat also provides web infrastructure for The GNOME Project. The relationship is close knit. The end result is what you see and use.<br />
<br />December 9, 2014, has been <a href="https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/test-announce/2014-December/000967.html" target="_blank">promised</a> by the Fedora Team as a 'Go' for Fedora 21 Workstation. The day will be remembered as when Desktop Computing got fun again. -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-35847686272563599892014-12-02T14:09:00.000-05:002014-12-02T14:12:01.952-05:00Lions, Tigers, Bears, and FBI Warnings, Oh My! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnLDihoTHSY/VH4BaepobqI/AAAAAAAAZKY/5nNMpfKkaJE/s1600/ohmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnLDihoTHSY/VH4BaepobqI/AAAAAAAAZKY/5nNMpfKkaJE/s1600/ohmy.jpg" height="252" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wizard of Oz Movie (Image credit: prairiecloudware.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Seriously, do you tire of seeing major news plastered with warnings about cyber attacks, malware and viruses?<br />
<br />
It really has grown to a fever pitch lately.<br />
<br />
What stuck in my craw today was a Bloomberg report <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/02/us-sony-cybersecurity-malware-idUSKCN0JF3FE20141202" target="_blank">Exclusive: FBI warns of 'destructive' malware attack in the wake of the SONY attack.</a><br />
<br />
Like, I should be mortified maybe? Do these 'brainiacs' remember <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Stuxnet">StuxNet</a>?<br />
<br />
Would it help to revisit the topic? I'd rather not, thank you very much. Please feel free to read the Wikipedia link on the subject.<br />
<br />
It was the perfect road-side billboard if there ever was for <i>why</i> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.6395972222,-122.12845&spn=0.01,0.01&q=47.6395972222,-122.12845%20(Microsoft)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> Legacy (x86) Windows should be abandoned on grounds of National Security.<br />
<br />
Sadly, the software industry hasn't changed and quite frankly isn't going to as long as 'big business' is married to a security-flawed 'by design' operating system. <br />
<br />
What do I mean by 'by design'? Microsoft provides undocumented <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Application programming interface">APIs</a> through their Trusted Platform to domestic and foreign governmental agencies (the FBI included) to have unfettered access to any <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows">Windows PC</a> without the user's expressed permission. (Insert sound of crickets here.)<br />
<br />
That seems to me to be a major violation of public privacy. And that's what the public get using proprietary software. Transparency is non-existent.<br />
<br />
Could writing code that facilitates having 'back doors' on to computers exist in the Open Source World? I should think not!<br />
<br />
Well, so far, we haven't seen any. <br />
<br />
Of course there have been recent documented attempts by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.109,-76.77&spn=0.01,0.01&q=39.109,-76.77%20(National%20Security%20Agency)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="National Security Agency">NSA</a> to weaken string constants in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliptic_curve_cryptography#NIST-recommended_elliptic_curves" target="_blank">Elliptic Curve Cryptography</a> used by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_Layer_Security" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Transport Layer Security">Secure Sockets Layer</a>, but it is a different kettle of fish to write a bank of code, spanning perhaps thousands of lines, dedicated to the specific purpose of providing 'backdoors' without going noticed under the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License" target="_blank">Gnu General Public License</a> for Open Source. That kind of exploitative code cannot exist in FOSS projects. Transparency is in full force with 'many eyes' providing the much-needed oversight. As it should be.<br />
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.crunchbase.com/person/edward-snowden" rel="crunchbase" target="_blank" title="Edward Snowden">Edward Snowden</a> is <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/06/17/encrypting-your-email-works-says-nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden/" target="_blank">correct</a>:<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Encryption works. Properly implemented strong crypto systems are one of the few things that you can rely on." </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
Unlike Open Source, the Proprietary Software Anti-Virus Business gets a boost every time one of these 'sensational' stories comes out. It's a stimulus to obtain a desired result: the masses run out to buy AV Tools which get immediately installed. End users fire up their AV tools, then passively watch a pretty widget on screen scanning, despite for foregoing 'backdoor' api. The asthetic is dispensed as the user receives a 'false sense of security'. AV software vendors make billions of dollars in sales annually. The partnership between Microsoft and AV Vendors is entrenched and the myth lives on.<br />
<br />
None of this would have been mentioned if I didn't know better -- it insults my intelligence.<br />
<br />
I know full well that if every Windows PC were to switch to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora Linux</a>, all of the security issues would be gone. Zero. None.<br />
<br />
So, please. Spare me the FUD. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-70331489400283824162014-12-01T13:25:00.002-05:002014-12-01T13:41:56.595-05:00MegaSync Your Cloud Data for True Internet Privacy<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Knfy_1vI7E/VHyWLAoiEsI/AAAAAAAAZGg/x3VmOQvMhQo/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-01%2B10%3A24%3A47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Knfy_1vI7E/VHyWLAoiEsI/AAAAAAAAZGg/x3VmOQvMhQo/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-12-01%2B10%3A24%3A47.png" height="360" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MegaSync Client for Linux with GNOME Nautilus 'Drag Drop' Support shown on my Fedora 21 Workstation Desktop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Strong Encryption is the <i>only choice</i> to secure the Public's <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_privacy" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Internet privacy">Internet Privacy</a> against unwarranted access.</b><br />
<br />
I really don't know how to make that message any more clear.<br />
<br />
You see, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Internet service provider">ISPs</a> are going to 'feather their own nests' as we bear witness to changing <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terms_of_service" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Terms of service">Terms of Service</a> with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google">Google</a> and most recently at Facebook.<br />
<br />
Personally, I could not care less about their Terms of Service. <br />
<br />
Because, as far as I am concerned, anything put on their sites becomes theirs. Period. They can claim otherwise. It doesn't matter.<br />
<br />
Google doesn't want to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encryption" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Encryption">encrypt</a> your <a class="zem_slink" href="http://mail.google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Gmail">Gmail</a>, or Drive. Why? Because 'they claim' it's parsed for Advertising revenue purposes. Does that seem legitimate to you?<br />
<br />
Let me lay it bare for you. <br />
<br />
The truth of the matter and what Google won't say is, they profit also from intelligence gathering by parsing keyword triggers that get forwarded to domestic and foreign governmental agencies. That is not Transparency. No, it is outright <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lie#Lying_by_omission" target="_blank">lying by omission</a>.<br />
<br />
Your Gmail and Drive get scrutinized every time you use it.<br />
<br />
I've <a href="http://www.linuxadvocates.com/2014/04/nsa-please-turn-lights-off-when-you.html" target="_blank">written</a> on how to manage your Gmail using <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.openpgp.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Pretty Good Privacy">OpenPGP</a> Encrypted Evolution Email on Linux Advocates.<br />
<br />
The technique I illustrated renders any third-party's ability to parse clear text useless.<br />
<br />
As for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Drive" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Google Drive">Google Drive</a>? Avoid it 'like the plague'. <a href="https://mega.co.nz/#sync!linux" target="_blank">MegaSync</a> <a href="https://mega.co.nz/#help/security" target="_blank">employs</a> 'zero knowledge' end-to-end encryption and gives 50GB of free space by default.<br />
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="https://www.mega.co.nz/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Mega (website)">Mega</a>'s strong encryption makes your personal folders and files just streams of block data totally unintelligible, so that Mega doesn't know what is getting stored. <br />
<br />
You may recall, the take down of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.kim.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Kim Dotcom">Kim Dot Com</a>'s <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaupload" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Megaupload">MegaUpload</a> by the U.S. Government. Kim Dot Com <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/03/megaupload-got-a-death-sentence-without-trial-says-kim-dotcom-in-first-tv-interview/" target="_blank">said</a> it was "a death sentence without a trial".<br />
<br />
Mega with MegaSync client changes all that. <br />
<br />
Now, Mega can reliably claim what is legally termed 'plausible deniability' for what clients store on their site, by virtue of how this method of encryption works.<br />
<br />
And, isn't that the way it should have been all along? Really. It's nobody's business what a law abiding Netizen stores on the Internet. It's personal. It's private. And Mega fills this gaping unmet need.<br />
<br />
In the final analysis, if the government wants to know what is stored in the cloud of an account holder, they need to take out a search warrant issued by a Judge. Then and only then, should a 'Good Netizen' comply by unlocking their encrypted files. <br />
<br />
With MegaSync strong encryption, nobody can see your data without your expressed consent.<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">MegaSync your cloud data for <i>true</i> Internet Privacy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-73321085292842482262014-11-29T13:45:00.000-05:002014-11-29T13:45:11.065-05:00Debian Forks as Stormy Seas Lie Ahead. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOxRmh-crag/VHoKjNG-NxI/AAAAAAAAZCA/GFU9kjLLPnI/s1600/Sailing%2BThe%2BStormy%2BSeas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KOxRmh-crag/VHoKjNG-NxI/AAAAAAAAZCA/GFU9kjLLPnI/s1600/Sailing%2BThe%2BStormy%2BSeas.jpg" height="464" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek - Sailing the Stormy Seas (Image credit: imagehere.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Seriously, I think some people just have self-destructive personalities.<br />
<br />
Such is the case for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.debian.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Debian">Debian</a>, where a few souls have foolishly convinced themselves that a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork_%28software_development%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Fork (software development)">Fork</a> is necessary.<br />
<br />
For what, exactly?<br />
<br />
I submit the big unspoken reason is 'work avoidance'.<br />
<br />
It would seem, the majority of major Distros have had no difficulty merging <a class="zem_slink" href="http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Systemd">systemd</a> and there are no reports I am aware of that would indicate problems of any kind aside from planned and routine systemd maintenance upgrades.<br />
<br />
So, I am thinking, What kind of effect will such a fork have?<br />
<br />
Most likely, it will create fear, uncertainty, doubt about whether either Distro is viable and if either should be taken seriously at this point.<br />
<br />
Thus, a cloud now has formed over the Debian camp and all indications are that <a href="https://devuan.org/" target="_blank">Devuan</a> will be the name of a newly <a href="https://lists.dyne.org/lurker/message/20141127.212941.f55acc3a.en.html" target="_blank">announced</a> Fork.<br />
<br />
Will Devuan be taken seriously? Will there be a fractious split and move en masse from Debian to Devuan?<br />
<br />
I am going to say No to both questions.<br />
<br />
This marks the end of the systemd controversy at Debian. Those who wish to leave for greener pastures are welcome to do so. Debian will continue their slow, pragmatic, sloth-like progress and those who have hitched their wagons to it, will submit to whatever happens.<br />
<br />
The cheering for Devuan will eventually reach a crescendo, then fade. Reality will set in. A very large volume of work must be done if Devuan will ever come to fruition. Work avoidance won't suffice this time.<br />
<br />
It should come as no surprise, and for good technical reasons, I wouldn't touch Debian with a barge pole, much less a fork of it.<br />
<br />
As far as I am concerned, neither has anything to offer that would be considered superior to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a> (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora</a> ) technology. For one, Red Hat is fully <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_Standard_Base" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Linux Standard Base">Linux Standard Base</a> and systemd compliant. Two, it is a commercial Distro that actually makes a 'profit', unlike Canonical Ltd.<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Ubuntu (operating system)">Ubuntu</a> where Mr. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.markshuttleworth.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Mark Shuttleworth">Shuttleworth</a> plucks down an occasional IOU to cover operating expenses so he can keep his insolvent business going.<br />
<br />
You see, unfortunately and in retrospect Mr. Shuttleworth made a bad strategic decision early on. <br />
<br />
Namely, Ubuntu hitched its wagon to Debian, which, as we all know, now has forked. Canonical Ltd. regardless of their gantt charts, project management milestones, and other various metrics will have to 'cow-tow' to whatever Debian chooses to do. That, alone, breeds much confusion and has taken its toll. It even pushes out the planned roll-out of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-44.25,-150.4&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-44.25,-150.4%20(Mir)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mir">Mir</a> display technology for at least another year (16.04 tentatively). Unity, the Ubuntu desktop GUI, has become effectively an island unto itself. None of the other Distros will support it. Not one. Mr. Shuttleworth succeeded in only driving a wedge into the upstream development community. Unlike Unity, GNOME with Wayland is on time, stable, and well supported, particularly by Red Hat.<br />
<br />
There is no confusion in the Fedora camp. It's full steam ahead for the anticipated release of Fedora 21 Workstation, along side the newly created divisions for Server and Cloud, this all being done under the governance and financial assistance of Red Hat.<br />
<br />
Fedora is the largest Community Distro and the R&D factory for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/rhel" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat Enterprise Linux">Red Hat Enterprise Linux</a>. No confusion exists due to their thoughtful planning and execution.<br />
<br />
Stay the course Red Hat, Fedora, stormy seas lie ahead. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-8789578345467563612014-11-29T11:17:00.000-05:002014-11-29T11:17:21.767-05:00Fedora How-To: End Unresponsive Applications with Xkill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wu9vS3ihMsM/VHntYgFnEXI/AAAAAAAAZBw/GfvJRDrNkFE/s1600/computer-keyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wu9vS3ihMsM/VHntYgFnEXI/AAAAAAAAZBw/GfvJRDrNkFE/s1600/computer-keyboard.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There are times when I miss <a class="zem_slink" href="http://kde.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="KDE">KDE</a>, like, when an application suddenly freezes up for no apparent reason.<br />
<br />
I wait and try to close the window clicking on the close [x] glyph. Tap fingers....<br />
<br />
Still nothing. "Sweet Lord. Please make it stop!", I mutter.<br />
<br />
Then I remember that pressing ctrl-alt-Esc would work in KDE to kill an unresponsive application. Yes! (Slaps forehead) That's it.<br />
<br />
Presses ctrl-alt-Esc. Waits. (insert sound of crickets...) NOTHING.<br />
<br />
So, as I have discovered, Fedora doesn't have a keyboard mapping to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xkill" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Xkill">xkill</a>, despite having the utility installed. My Fedora Peeps are you reading this? For the Love of God, Add it! Please.<br />
<br />
There. I said 'please'. I was nice.<br />
<br />
Hokay, deep breaths. Serenity now... ;)<br />
<br />
Ready for a brief how-to to show you how to add a keyboard mapping in Fedora Desktop Edition or Workstation? Alright. Here goes.<br />
<br />
First you need to go to Settings and click Keyboard to create the shortcut:<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NToDWVuT0v8/VHneb-agz2I/AAAAAAAAZAo/qLeTzlic3aU/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A38%3A38.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NToDWVuT0v8/VHneb-agz2I/AAAAAAAAZAo/qLeTzlic3aU/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A38%3A38.png" height="402" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<br />
Then, click Shortcuts:<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNqPJE4w4jg/VHne0OCp_gI/AAAAAAAAZAw/YaQ3XZyYlMQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A41%3A58.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gNqPJE4w4jg/VHne0OCp_gI/AAAAAAAAZAw/YaQ3XZyYlMQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A41%3A58.png" height="362" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<br />
Click on Custom Shortcut and the plus (+) symbol to add a shortcut:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCznJebG9a4/VHnfUSPScSI/AAAAAAAAZA4/kys5agBSmzs/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A44%3A14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCznJebG9a4/VHnfUSPScSI/AAAAAAAAZA4/kys5agBSmzs/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B09%3A44%3A14.png" height="362" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
Name the shortcut "Force Quit" and the command "xkill":<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7y0CfwRt1A/VHnfxMDJtOI/AAAAAAAAZBA/QPBgDkp9g4k/s1600/Selection_001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7y0CfwRt1A/VHnfxMDJtOI/AAAAAAAAZBA/QPBgDkp9g4k/s1600/Selection_001.png" height="324" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
Click Add to add the shortcut. Then click on the word 'Disabled' and enter the keys you wish to use to activate this shortcut (I've used Ctrl-Escape as Ctrl-Alt-Escape is already mapped to something else):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YztzUjAnB4c/VHnhq6sRgNI/AAAAAAAAZBM/YWG_cuI4Fzg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B10%3A03%3A34.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YztzUjAnB4c/VHnhq6sRgNI/AAAAAAAAZBM/YWG_cuI4Fzg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B10%3A03%3A34.png" height="360width=" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My finished Force Quit shortcut:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prKxQhKT-GM/VHnivJSY8uI/AAAAAAAAZBU/JIBorPPzJ6E/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B10%3A11%3A08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prKxQhKT-GM/VHnivJSY8uI/AAAAAAAAZBU/JIBorPPzJ6E/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-29%2B10%3A11%3A08.png" height="362" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
Finito. Good grief, I am exhausted. Just kidding. That wasn't difficult was it? I hope not.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IF0ITF3_FaM/VHnqnLiEfcI/AAAAAAAAZBk/XUp8FLnPYSg/s1600/xkill-terminal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IF0ITF3_FaM/VHnqnLiEfcI/AAAAAAAAZBk/XUp8FLnPYSg/s1600/xkill-terminal.png" height="366" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
So, okay, if and when you encounter a frozen application you can now force it to quit by pressing, in my case, Ctrl-Esc. Directly above, I show Nautilus Terminal after I have pressed ctrl-esc. Note that the cursor changes shape to an 'x' to signify you are armed with xkill and dangerous. <br />
<br />
Assuming you do want to kill an application, position your mouse cursor over the offending application window and 'left-click'. That should result in the window closing. Should you decide to cancel, simply 'right-click' at any time and the 'x' cursor will be replaced by a normal mouse arrow.<br />
<br />
And that should do it! -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-6989570507106671862014-11-28T14:07:00.000-05:002014-11-28T16:42:52.068-05:00Customize Fedora's Out-of-the-Box Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6GjriORixM/VHi5Rjn0IAI/AAAAAAAAZAY/vQbVKuxZF78/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B13%3A02%3A35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6GjriORixM/VHi5Rjn0IAI/AAAAAAAAZAY/vQbVKuxZF78/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B13%3A02%3A35.png" height="360" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Fedora 21 Workstation - Customized</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As if I need to tell you, I am 100% behind <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.fedoraproject.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Fedora (operating system)">Fedora</a>. Those looking for a story on their 'other' Distro can turn away now.<br />
<br />
There's nothing wrong with being selective and wanting the best of everything life has to offer, yes?<br />
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So, when it comes to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desktop_Linux" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Desktop Linux">Linux on the Desktop</a>, I have put Fedora at the top of my list. I'll show you my personal configuration and yes it is running remarkably well on my trusty <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_Aspire" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Acer Aspire">Acer Aspire</a> One D260 Netbook in just 2GB of ram. <br />
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I've been on the Fedora bandwagon for nearly a year. I've watched what other Distro communities are doing and chose Fedora for several reasons. As for security, there's no better platform than Linux equipped with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security-Enhanced_Linux" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Security-Enhanced Linux">SELinux</a>, a Linux Security Module (LSM).<br />
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With the largest community and having the governance of Red Hat, you can be assured Fedora is going to be around in 5 years. <a href="http://www.linuxadvocates.com/2014/11/fedora-linux-safest-operating-system-on.html" target="_blank">Safe</a> is not just security; it's also about stability and longevity.<br />
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The 'out of the box' experience with Fedora is quite good. That is meant to say, one can assume little in the way of post-install configuration is needed. All bases are covered.<br />
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Still, one can put their own personality into adding extra features which is part of the fun of Linux on the Desktop. There is much one can do--just reach into the Linux parts bin for what you are looking for and bolt on. Some things require more effort than others. Let's see what I've done to personalize Fedora Workstation 21.<br />
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Fedora chose to break out three products -- Server, Workstation, and Cloud -- in revision 21. This is no small undertaking and more than trebles the volume of work. But with careful planning, they will meet their target date for general release, December 9, 2014.<br />
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Formerly called Fedora Desktop Edition, Workstation is approximately the same, but the target audience is slanted more towards Student and Developer. That doesn't make it any more difficult to use -- instead it means the 'mix' of pre-installed applications is slightly different. What you do is entirely subjective and up to you. Here goes.<br />
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<h3>Post-Install Graphical Application Additions</h3><br />
<br />
<b>Gnome-Tweak-Tool</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OP183J7A_ao/VHipwiTS2iI/AAAAAAAAY-s/KxJfDQDBqPQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B11%3A58%3A06.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OP183J7A_ao/VHipwiTS2iI/AAAAAAAAY-s/KxJfDQDBqPQ/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B11%3A58%3A06.png" height="143" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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As previously mentioned, this tool should be installed by default and as discussed below simply eases making configuration changes.<br />
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<b>Gimp</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xo7S8BgrMA/VHiqY98hajI/AAAAAAAAY-0/hhI7mgpPSIg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A00%3A29.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xo7S8BgrMA/VHiqY98hajI/AAAAAAAAY-0/hhI7mgpPSIg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A00%3A29.png" height="200" width="184" /></a></div>
As I do posting to Linux Advocates, often I need access to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gimp.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GIMP">GIMP</a> and it is a universe unto itself in terms of features for image editing and manipulation. A must-have for me.<br />
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<b>dwb</b><br />
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Fortunately, Fedora Workstation, as in previous revisions, comes with Firefox by default. This is a pure open source web browser. I no longer endorse or support <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/chrome" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Chrome">Google's Chrome</a> which is proprietary.<br />
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I trust that <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115819830501973935613" target="_blank">+Tom Callaway</a> will be updating open source Chromium in due course and make it available on or before general release of 21. I usually keep that on hand for special situations that benefit from using it. A Big thank you goes to Tom for his hard work.<br />
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dwb is my day-to-day browser. It is lightweight written in C, with webkitgtk bindings and vim keyboard optimizations. Gear heads will appreciate the vim shortcuts which speeds up everything, besides the compiled C code being inherently super fast.<br />
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The version last checked in the 21 repo is from early spring of 2014 and flash isn't working in it. So, if you are technically inclined, I would suggest getting the dwb-git version with a September 2014 commit number:<br />
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[dietrich@localhost ~]$ dwb --version<br />
This is : dwb-git<br />
Version : commit 2014-09-20 6a0e483<br />
Built : Oct 14 2014 13:19:42<br />
Copyright : (C) 2010-2014 Stefan Bolte<br />
License : <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="GNU General Public License">GNU General Public License</a>, version 3 or later<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Naturally, you'll need to install the Developer tools that include git, gcc, make and the dependencies listed in the README file and manually with make and make install to fulfill an install of dwb-git. If you are a true speed geek, it is well worth the effort.</div>
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<b>Shutter</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSTu0yyLLZU/VHisSx_GfnI/AAAAAAAAY_I/JXARH2j3vho/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A08%3A51.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSTu0yyLLZU/VHisSx_GfnI/AAAAAAAAY_I/JXARH2j3vho/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A08%3A51.png" height="200" width="195" /></a></div>
Shutter is written in Perl with GTK bindings and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.imagemagick.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="ImageMagick">ImageMagick</a>. It is quite useful for special image edit and effects needs. I recommend both Shutter and ImageMagick to those who are running a website.<br />
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<b>Pidgin</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3kocKBsb-U/VHispO_D5OI/AAAAAAAAY_Q/Jcgq32fhjWg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A10%3A29.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3kocKBsb-U/VHispO_D5OI/AAAAAAAAY_Q/Jcgq32fhjWg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A10%3A29.png" height="200" width="185" /></a></div>
Pidgin is a multi-protocol instant messenger GTK program and with the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://live.gnome.org/GnomeShell" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME Shell">GNOME Shell</a> Extension integration allows one to chat from the shell without opening a Pidgin Chat window. I prefer it and have used it for years.<br />
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<b>Corebird</b><br />
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I've only discovered Corebird in evaluating Fedora 21 Workstation and must say I like it. This is a GTK Twitter client and it does a nice job of keeping track of those who I follow.<br />
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<b>Mailnag</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI9E3VL7Bbg/VHiuTV-WBDI/AAAAAAAAY_k/9yZnN9ZaFhc/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A17%3A34.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uI9E3VL7Bbg/VHiuTV-WBDI/AAAAAAAAY_k/9yZnN9ZaFhc/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-28%2B12%3A17%3A34.png" height="200" width="193" /></a></div>
Mailnag is a fairly new Python program with GNOME Shell Extension integration support. It works quite well in that I use Evolution Email to process my Gmail. But I leave Evolution closed until Mailnag tells me there is mail. The notification appears on the top bar with a count for number of emails found. A python application must be installed and the accompanying Mailnag shell extension. Opening Mailnag-config, and completing the details for your mail will automatically start a mailnag deamon process running in the background on your system. I prefer not having Evolution open all the time as it is a memory consumer so go into it only if there is mail to process and then close it to conserve ram.<br />
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<h3>Under the Hood Non-Graphical System Tweaks</h3><br />
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<b>Zswap</b><br />
Zswap is a Linux kernel loadable module that has been available since version 3.11. It runs resident in its own kernel memory space and compresses data destined for swap to its zram swap 'instead' of your physical swap partition. When the kernel can put transient data into zram compressed swap, foregoing sending it to slower I/O disk swap space, there is a realized net speed benefit. This utility is not user-friendly so I would leave it to the gear heads to install it. There's plenty of documentation on it and I am hoping Fedora will soon upstate the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lempel%E2%80%93Ziv%E2%80%93Oberhumer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Lempel–Ziv–Oberhumer">LZO</a> compression method to a newer LZ4 method.<br />
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Append the following bolded text to /etc/sysconfig/grub:<br />
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="rhgb quiet <b>zswap.enabled=1 zswap.zpool=zsmalloc zswap.max_pool_percent=80" </b><br />
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Then, save the changes made to grub and run:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span>You will need then to reboot your PC to have the zwap kernel module load.</span><div>
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<b>Preload</b><br />
Preload runs as a deamon and monitors your habits, autonomously preloading applications into ram that are used most often. This can be advantageous on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Personal computer">PCs</a> with less ram (2GB or less), such as mine. Install Preload from a terminal with the following:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">$sudo yum install preload</span><br />
<br />Then you'll need to sudo to root and type:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#systemctl enable preload.service</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">#systemctl start preload.service</span><br />
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This sets up preload to be maintained by systemd so it will always be resident on boot.<br />
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<b>dconf-edit</b><br />
This graphical tool allows the edit of gnome settings displayed in a tree-structured hierarchical fashion. Without it you must use gsettings command line tool. It's good to have not just for editing but for surveying the entire array of configurable settings available.<br />
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<b>htop</b><br />
I always include htop. Even though I have system-monitor running in the shell tray, sometimes if I am already in a terminal window, it makes doing things easier and faster. htop is an Ncurses application.<br />
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<h3>Wallpapers</h3><br />
I'll just mention that there is a nice array of 'stock' wallpapers that many will find aesthetically pleasing. For those with special needs, there is a 'Pictures' button at the top of the Background application -- pressing that will open into Nautilus to show what you've downloaded into your ~/Pictures folder for selection (see samples below). I've had more fun lately with GNOME Shell wallpapers than I've had in a long time. Find that special wallpaper that fits your mood and sensibility. Here are some that I like:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqfvtHXk4qE/VHielGIHnJI/AAAAAAAAY9w/QhQ3pMllEGg/s1600/boat-gray-scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dqfvtHXk4qE/VHielGIHnJI/AAAAAAAAY9w/QhQ3pMllEGg/s1600/boat-gray-scale.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RkbxPNEo80/VHifGmsYVOI/AAAAAAAAY-A/BXv55DHWAgo/s1600/White-Background-Images-HD-Wallpaper-785x441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RkbxPNEo80/VHifGmsYVOI/AAAAAAAAY-A/BXv55DHWAgo/s1600/White-Background-Images-HD-Wallpaper-785x441.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tM2ulfutf78/VHiffbxyUiI/AAAAAAAAY-I/Y_O15whj3wE/s1600/NATURE-SunsetBlissII_1600x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tM2ulfutf78/VHiffbxyUiI/AAAAAAAAY-I/Y_O15whj3wE/s1600/NATURE-SunsetBlissII_1600x1200.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3>Customizations Using GNOME-Tweak-Tool</h3><br />
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Most people will not go to a terminal to use gsettings and manually install an extension. It's only gear heads like myself who brave the terminal prompt for various good and peculiar reasons. As for myself, I prefer not to torture myself and so commenced with installing GNOME-Tweak-Tool. It's a curiosity to me as to <i>why</i> this tool is not installed by default. I hope that the Fedora Community will include it in the near term.<br />
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So, once installed you are presented with a nice graphical menu with categories, which I will walk down letting you know what changes, if any, I made in each.<br />
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<b>Appearance</b><br />
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I've download a bunch of Themes from gnome-look.org and a couple of them are really nice, but, I keep returning to the default, Adwaita. It's just that good and so I'll leave it up to you to peruse the themes on the website and experiment.<br />
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Before you can install a theme, however, you'll need to install the User Theme extension, which takes two seconds to do. After installing, reload GNOME-Tweak-Tools and a change will be reflected at the bottom of the Appearance page which will allow selection of a user theme. The only item I changed on the Appearance page is the Font. I find Faenza icon theme quite pleasing to the eye. I don't think it is available (yet?) in Fedora 21 repo, but you can still install it from Fedora 19's repo by typing from a terminal:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">$sudo yum install --releasever=19 --nogpgcheck faenza-icon-theme</span><br />
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<b>Desktop</b><br />
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On the Desktop page, I've changed nothing with exception to Background Location (aka wallpaper). You can change it here or by right-clicking on the Desktop and selecting Change Background, or, by going into Settings and clicking the Background Icon.<br />
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<b>Extensions</b><br />
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(Go <a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/" target="_blank">here</a> to view and select from all the available and compatible GNOME Shell Extensions referred to in this section.)<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/648/bitcoin-markets/" target="_blank">Bitcoin Markets</a><br />
If you are using Bitcoin (I have a Coinbase account), then, you might want to know where the price is in realtime. This is the only shell extension for Bitcoin as far as I am aware and updates on the Top Bar.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/517/caffeine/" target="_blank">Caffeine</a><br />
Have you had it with screensaver? Well, fret no more. Go straight to installing Caffeine and this widget will keep screensaver from kicking in. It can be clicked on and toggled off/on at will and includes preferences in Tweak-Tool.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/" target="_blank">Dash to Dock</a><br />
Dash to Dock takes the hidden Dash from the Activities Overview and anchors it to a Dock to so cause Dash to intelligently display and/or be forced to manually display by putting your mouse cursor on the left margin of your screen. It also has various preferences and allows on appearance the rolling of the mouse wheel to move through your workspaces.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/13/applications-menu/" target="_blank">Frippery Applications Menu</a><br />
This is a simple menu for finding your applications. It has a right-click preferences menu wherein one can turn off 'text' which results in just the Fedora Icon showing on the left-most part of the Top Bar. Installing this menu will remove 'Activities' from the Top Bar. Putting the mouse cursor into the upper left corner of the screen still triggers Activities Overview mode.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/860/gradient-top-bar/" target="_blank">Gradient Top Bar</a><br />
A simple extension with a singular purpose. It adds a translucent gradient to the Top Bar. A nice touch.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/886/mailnag/" target="_blank">Mailnag</a><br />
You'll need this extension as well as the python Mailnag daemon application. This extension shows a mail icon reminder when your mail arrives and rings a bell to get your attention. Highly recommended.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/750/openweather/" target="_blank">OpenWeather</a><br />
This is so simple, yet, I find it incredibly convenient. It sits on your top bar and one-click will trigger it's overlay display of useful weather information. Clean, professional, appropriate. Recommended.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/782/pidgin-im-integration/" target="_blank">Pidgin Instant Message Integration</a><br />
This extension simply integrates with the message tray and facilitates responding to chat directly in the shell message screen without setting focus to your Pidgin application. An unobtrusive time-saving addition.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/800/remove-dropdown-arrows/" target="_blank">Remove dropdown arrows</a><br />
This does what is says. The default down arrow on Applications and Places is removed. I say GNOME should drop the arrow, but that's just my personal preference.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/9/systemmonitor/" target="_blank">System Monitor</a><br />
This extension essentially loads your System-Monitor application resident into the message tray. Using your superkey-M will show a graphical display of the CPU utilization and RAM consumption. Clicking either sends you into the full-screen application. I find this and htop quite informational.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/19/user-themes/" target="_blank">User Themes</a><br />
If you want to use user themes installable outside of the RPM repo and from a user directory, then you need to install this extension first. After installing the extension, close GNOME-Tweak-Tool and reopen to reflect the change. A menu option on the Appearance page, Shell Themes, then becomes enabled.<br />
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<a href="https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/427/workspaces-to-dock/" target="_blank">Workspaces to Dock</a><br />
Much as Dash to Dock applies additional intelligence so too will Workspaces to Dock. Moving your cursor to the right margin when running a full-screen application will reveal your workspaces in a slightly enhanced but beneficial format. Drag and Drop of an application from one workspace to another works seamlessly too. A must have. I now find myself using workspaces more than ever, spreading out the applications. A tap of the super-key reflexively goes into Activities Overview and reveals the Dock and Workspaces as well.<br />
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<br />
<h3>Conclusion</h3><br />
As mentioned, the out of the box settings for GNOME Shell are quite adequate.<br />
<br />
But within a matter of minutes you can be up to speed installing Shell extensions, applications and tweaks that personalize your Desktop to your liking. I have found the experience of using Fedora 21 Workstation quite satisfying and, dare I say, Linux on the Desktop has truly become fun again and rivals the professional feel of commercial counterparts Windows and Apple OSX.<br />
<br />
That's Fedora 21 customized. Get the prerelease <a href="http://fedoraproject.org/get-prerelease#workstation" target="_blank">here</a>. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-86743117548138388752014-11-26T11:33:00.000-05:002014-11-26T14:03:00.044-05:00Fedora Linux: The Safest Operating System on the Planet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0arHy2ZZY0/VHX9ESpB5UI/AAAAAAAAY7w/3VEGBw319zM/s1600/cvirus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--0arHy2ZZY0/VHX9ESpB5UI/AAAAAAAAY7w/3VEGBw319zM/s1600/cvirus.jpg" height="600" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Image credit: harrisburghelpdesk.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Computer Viruses cannot mount an attack on Fedora Linux.<br />
<br />
It's a simple fact that millions of Windows users don't know. In fact, largely, they <i>don't</i> care. They assume an operating system, like Microsoft Legacy (x86) Windows, comes with AV software to handle the job of fending off viruses as being 'normal'.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, it isn't normal. And whether or not your AV Software catches a virus can be 'hit or miss' and a matter of timing.<br />
<br />
I'll get to why Windows gets infected and why Fedora does not in a minute.<br />
<br />
<h3>How AV Software Works</h3>
<br />
AV software relies on the fact that every virus will have its own exploit characteristics and the exploit code that invades your PC has it's very own unique CRC 'fingerprint' that when scanned for and compared to a database of 'known exploits' will get a match on that CRC value, which is a unique check sum number.<br />
<br />
The problem with that approach is that some of the more clever viruses once they have compromised your system, intentionally alter their own executing code's CRC value on even an hourly basis so as to avoid detection against an AV database which might update only once a day if you are lucky, or worse, once every several days.<br />
<br />
And they effectively sit on your system undetected, flying below the radar of your AV software. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>Aged Windows NT Kernel</h3>
<br />
Even today with the very newest Microsoft Windows 8.1 (x86), the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_NT" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Windows NT">WinNT</a> kernel is the same as those going all the way back to Windows 2000. That's right. The same.<br />
<br />
Microsoft's large base of installed Enterprise systems are running on that kernel and any major redesign would cause hurrendous interruption of service, which simply cannot happen. So, they continue with their haphazard patch Tuesday sending out updates to known exploits -- that's ones which they 'officially' have taken corrective action on, and doesn't include zero-day exploits.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>Zero Day Exploits Prevail</h3>
<br />
Zero Day Exploits is another matter entirely. These are exploits which can attack vulnerable unpatched Windows systems for which there is no official fix available. The wild is filled with a 'black market' for writing Zero Day exploits which sellers sell to criminals who are intent on circumventing your PC on the promise that a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-day_attack" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Zero-day attack">Zero Day exploit</a> will be effective.<br />
<br />
Around the World, Windows <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Personal computer">PCs</a> by the millions are prey to attack and this has become quite profitable for a syndicate of criminals intent on parting you from your money.<br />
<br />
Such exploits include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware_%28malware%29" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Ransomware (malware)">RansomWare</a>, which is perhaps the most prevalent and pernicious type of virus. If a successful attack is mounted against your Windows PC, said RansomWare quietly encrypts your hard drive, then puts a private key lock on it, and, only then, notifies the end-user that their PC is locked until they make payment. It's become like shooting fish in a barrel and the software is now sophisticated enough to even offer the added convenience of payment by Credit Card! Nice touch ey? Terrible.<br />
<br />
<h3>Windows Security is Not Assured</h3>
<br />
So, you see, running AV on Windows will not guarantee your PC will remain virus-free. Nope. Really, from my vantage point, there's nothing that can stop a successful exploit.<br />
<br />
Other attacks include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-by_download" target="_blank">Drive by download</a> where the user visits a legitimate website (which is compromised) and by merely going to your 'favorite' website, it can trigger a silent download from your browser a Javascript tag injection of DLL code which then runs unchecked on Windows.<br />
<br />
<h3>Policing the Kernel's Actions</h3>
<br />
Unchecked. The prime defect in WinNT, the aged 2000 kernel, is that there is NO 'third party' policing of what actions are taken by the kernel itself.<br />
<br />
Imagine there being a police officer on sentry 24x7 who not only checks the actions taken by your favorite Application, but also those actions spawned by said Application to the kernel to perform specific system functions.<br />
<br />
It is at the instant that an Application spawns a SYSTEM call to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Windows_NT" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Architecture of Windows NT">Windows kernel</a> (by the injected DLL of a Javascript attack) that a 'third party' should step in to investigate the discrete granular action being taken. It simply doesn't happen. The DLL injected code runs and exploit code at this point can perform any SYSTEM related administrative function. No one called the police. Your system is owned whether you know it (RansomWare) or not (SpyBot).<br />
<br />
<h3>Linux Security Modules - A Better Design</h3>
<br />
Unlike the flawed design of Windows' WinNT kernel, Fedora Linux comes installed with a 'third party' Policing agent -- generically speaking it's called a 'Linux Security Module', specifically the module that is running is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security-Enhanced_Linux" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Security-Enhanced Linux">SELinux</a>.<br />
<br />
It is this 'policing' aspect of SELinux that sets Linux apart in design and safety from Microsoft Windows.<br />
<br />
Any software design which produces an unintended side effect that the software designer never intended to have happen as part of the feature set of a given Application is a 'bug'. It is also true, that viruses exploit such a bug to induce the Application to behave in an unintended way. The goal (induced side effect), is to escalate and gain access to the core SYSTEM function API.<br />
<br />
SELinux, when your PC boots, binds to the Linux kernel and then makes a 'hook' into the kernel. This 'hook' is a pause in execution by the SYSTEM at which point SELinux gets the opportunity to approve/deny what the kernel wants to do, <b>BEFORE</b>, execution can happen. There is no getting by the 'hook' and so anything which is deemed not part of a normal 'policy' for the application which spawned a child SYSTEM call gets a 'deny'. <br />
<br />
The exploit simply is stopped cold in its tracks.<br />
<br />
So, this was necessarily verbose. I apologize. But it is hopefully clearer to you now why I endorse using Fedora 21 Workstation, because it is truly safe and viruses cannot mount an attack. Ever.<br />
<br />
Get Fedora 21 Workstation Prerelease for free (general release December 9, 2014) today, <a href="http://fedoraproject.org/get-prerelease#workstation" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Fedora Linux: The safest operating system on the Planet.<br />
<br />
I stake my reputation on it. -- Dietrich</span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-72508617810856024252014-11-25T14:22:00.001-05:002014-11-25T14:31:21.278-05:00Thanksgiving for a Continued Thriving Linux FOSS Harvest <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1O4rWqHgB5E/VHTDFFu2D6I/AAAAAAAAY3Y/mXtUKL9aP5k/s1600/thanksgiving-pilgrim-penguin-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1O4rWqHgB5E/VHTDFFu2D6I/AAAAAAAAY3Y/mXtUKL9aP5k/s1600/thanksgiving-pilgrim-penguin-600x600.jpg" height="600" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Thanksgiving (Image Credit: Mepiscommunity.org)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">More than ever, we need to give thanks as part of our American yearly custom of celebrating <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Thanksgiving">Thanksgiving</a> on the fourth Thursday of November. <br />
<br />
It's not about the harvest. Nor is it about the President 'pardoning' a Turkey or religious proclamations made by Church priesthood in any secular sense.<br />
<br />
No, we should not lose sight of what initially formed as the 'Pilgrim' holiday during the early 1600's in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="New England">New England</a>. Pilgrim and Puritan immigrants from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="England">England</a> brought their traditions to New England in the form of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving celebration.<br />
<br />
It might make more sense to have such celebration following when the 'real' harvest bounty occurs, but history being what it is, the date chosen for Thanksgiving changed over time, most recently to the fourth Thursday of November from the last with a resolution made by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklin_D._Roosevelt" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Franklin D. Roosevelt">President Roosevelt</a> in 1941.<br />
<br />
In terms of what we should be thankful for in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.intenseschool.com/boot_camp/linux" rel="intenseschoollinux" target="_blank" title="Linux Boot Camp">Linux</a> Community, I feel the strongest consideration should go to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="GNU General Public License">Gnu Public License</a> from which a great bounty or code base sprang forth. This bounty remains the stock of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" target="_blank" title="Open Source">open source</a> software that keeps giving of itself over and over, thanks to one <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.stallman.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Richard Stallman">Richard Stallman</a>. We should never forget that without such a novel licensing framework in place, the success of a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.kernel.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Linux kernel">Linux kernel</a> and its 'moving parts' in the open source 'factory' would not have been possible.<br />
<br />
So, remember as you celebrate this holiday that <i>giving back</i> to the FOSS community is essential, or, we would still be under the rigid control of monopolistic proprietary software vendors the likes of Microsoft and Apple.<br />
<br />
Thanksgiving wishes go out for a continued thriving Linux <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open_source_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Free and open source software">FOSS</a> harvest! -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-22831594226206679492014-11-19T12:06:00.000-05:002014-11-19T12:18:32.528-05:00Debian on Death's Doorstep: Developers Resist Systemd by Resigning<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aVdp0SeRu0/VGzCMw07j2I/AAAAAAAAYnk/ygpAGFQjBRs/s1600/debian-wheezy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aVdp0SeRu0/VGzCMw07j2I/AAAAAAAAYnk/ygpAGFQjBRs/s1600/debian-wheezy.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is Debian Dying?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There is no shortage of consternation brewing over on the <a href="https://www.debian.org/" target="_blank">Debian Debacle Cul-de-sac</a> where the nattering nabobs of negativity have forced yet another vote taking for the decoupling (or not) of the current plan to migrate to a replacement for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Init" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Init">sysvinit</a> system.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2014/11/msg00891.html" target="_blank">The votes are in</a> and it would appear no change in plans will take place.<br />
<br />
So, it's full steam ahead with standards-compliant <a class="zem_slink" href="http://freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/systemd/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Systemd">systemd</a> replacing the aged sysvinit middle-ware design.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZZCvLUuPDQ/VGzEaE8CadI/AAAAAAAAYnw/QMN_B7-LgzA/s1600/system-d-adoption.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZZCvLUuPDQ/VGzEaE8CadI/AAAAAAAAYnw/QMN_B7-LgzA/s1600/system-d-adoption.png" height="460" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br />
<br />
What lies ahead? Much discussion preceding the vote taking took place including the proposition of forking Debian. Yes. A fork.<br />
<br />
And, despite the issue of migrating over 40,000 applications, the proposition is still being taken seriously.<br />
<br />
From my vantage point, Debian has always been a 'speed bump' on the road to innovation. Their software management policy is simply unacceptable in today's world where life can change <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxGr5doGJmY" target="_blank">in a New York Minute</a>.<br />
<br />
The concern should present to those Debian derivatives, of which there are many, that delays in moving forward on systemd continue to mount.<br />
<br />
Canonical Ltd. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.markshuttleworth.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Mark Shuttleworth">Mark Shuttleworth</a> has intimated in a question and answer session (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWTVe5Mdv0Y&feature=share&t=29m19s" target="_blank">video</a>) including <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-44.25,-150.4&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-44.25,-150.4%20(Mir)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Mir">Mir</a>, their Wayland alternative, won't happen any sooner 2016. I predict that there will be further delay as other unforeseen Debian issues present during their migration to systemd support.<br />
<br />
Developers of Debian derivatives and application software ought to be giving serious consideration to the overall 'health status' of their beloved operating system. They have their work cut out for themselves. Not only must their Distro middle-ware be modified, but also the applications that run on it. That is a 'double-whammy' and I'd suspect that when the going gets tough, you'll hear more kvetching and see Developers who can't knuckle-under <a href="http://www.networkworld.com/article/2849323/software/prominent-developers-pulling-out-of-debian-as-voting-deadline-nears.html" target="_blank">hitting the exit doors</a> seeking to retire their Derivative or joining up in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/index-e.html" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="RPM (magazine)">RPM</a> camp. I hope that the latter will be their preference.<br />
<br />
Looking at the above <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systemd#Adoption" target="_blank">chart from Wikipedia</a> showing those major Distros that have adopted systemd, both Debian and Ubuntu stand out and, as a result, all their derivatives will fall into the same status until Debian can reach a stable systemd plateau. It is interesting to note <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gentoo.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Gentoo Linux">Gentoo</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.slackware.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Slackware">Slackware</a> have indicated no plan to change over to systemd.<br />
<br />
Are these indications that Debian is in the midst of her final initial death throws? <br />
<br />
If developers align to advocating for a Fork, then the demise of Debian may well soon follow as a wholesale 'plate tectonic shift' occurs.<br />
<br />
As for Me, I am wagering Debian's days are numbered. What say you?</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-1971992851203346972014-11-18T11:29:00.000-05:002014-11-18T11:37:24.934-05:00There is no Substitute for #1. Fedora 21 Workstation. Linux Done Right.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_UP11VXcdo/VGtvRL87eAI/AAAAAAAAYhk/xiirbClXeYg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-18%2B10%3A21%3A02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i_UP11VXcdo/VGtvRL87eAI/AAAAAAAAYhk/xiirbClXeYg/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-18%2B10%3A21%3A02.png" height="374" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is no substitute for #1. Fedora 21 Workstation is <i>Linux done right</i>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You can take this message however you want.<br />
<br />
Anyone hoping that <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ubuntu.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Ubuntu (operating system)">Ubuntu Linux</a> will reach critical mass adoption is in for a surprise. Under the governance of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.canonical.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Canonical Ltd.">Canonical Ltd.</a> a corporate structure to receive IOUs from one Mr. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.markshuttleworth.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Mark Shuttleworth">Mark Shuttleworth</a>, Ubuntu Linux is moving sideways. It has been a boat without an anchor and no clear charted course.<br />
<br />
The good news is that one Distro has overtaken it. Yes, I've been showing my bias for quite some time. Most of my readership know that. But it must be said.<br />
<br />
Quietly, industriously, cooperatively, success is here for a true champion Linux on the Desktop. It is with the arrival of <a href="http://fedoraproject.org/get-prerelease#workstation" target="_blank">Fedora 21 Workstation</a> I officially see a product with fit and finish that goes beyond what Unity on Ubuntu can ever offer. Ubuntu lacks critical leadership to be truly successful on a global scale. It has moved in different directions yet not with the best interests of the Linux Community. Unity has driven a wedge into the community and has become an island on which no other Distro wants to set foot. There is no broad support for Unity from the Linux Communiity.<br />
<br />
Fedora 21 Workstation integrates, with close direct participation and involvement in design, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://live.gnome.org/GnomeShell" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME Shell">GNOME Shell</a> 3.14. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a> has taken <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_GNOME_Project" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="The GNOME Project">The GNOME Project</a> under her wing, providing direct infrastructure support for all GNOME-related websites.<br />
<br />
This is a turning point. Fedora 21 Workstation is on a footing to take the mantle and prestige away from Ubuntu. It succeeds where Ubuntu does not. Fedora moves forward with clear, published, pragmatic planning and the full support of its community and has traction. Ubuntu is spinning her wheels and by mere association with Debian will continue to suffer as dependence slows progress by default.<br />
<br />
There is no substitute for #1. Fedora 21 Workstation is truly <i>Linux done right</i>. -- Dietrich</span><br />
<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-60798296583172263832014-11-15T10:34:00.000-05:002014-11-15T10:43:48.888-05:00Fedora 21 Workstation Prerelease. Pure Awesomeness. Zero Exploitation.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T90GLrRUJHA/VGduKfwsnfI/AAAAAAAAYb0/9VRjMKPaZ2s/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-15%2B09%3A28%3A05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T90GLrRUJHA/VGduKfwsnfI/AAAAAAAAYb0/9VRjMKPaZ2s/s1600/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2014-11-15%2B09%3A28%3A05.png" height="374" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fedora 21 Workstation Prerelease - Pure Awesomeness. Zero Exploitation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What do I mean by Zero Exploitation?<br />
<br />
Why pay for recycled software bits when you can get it for free, every version release? That's Zero Exploitation. Fedora continually refines its software technology as part of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a>'s R&D process and becomes part of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/rhel" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat Enterprise Linux">Red Hat Enterprise Linux</a> when mature.<br />
<br />
Unlike Gnu Public Licensed Linux free <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" target="_blank" title="Open Source">Open Source</a> Fedora, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.6395972222,-122.12845&spn=0.01,0.01&q=47.6395972222,-122.12845%20(Microsoft)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Microsoft">Microsoft</a> charges a license fee for every software release, both on their <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows">Windows operating system</a> and software applications. The end-user, you, gets a bill for the same software bits they paid for on their first purchase, only with a new skin on top. Looks different on the outside. Mostly recycled bits on the inside. That's exploitation, plain and simple.<br />
<br />
So, step off of the Microsoft Licensing treadmill and put an end to the exploitation today.<br />
<br />
Enjoy pure awesomeness and complete security of Fedora 21 starting <a href="http://fedoraproject.org/get-prerelease#workstation" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-39970081882082457502014-11-10T12:14:00.000-05:002014-11-10T12:26:32.068-05:00Why Working Towards a Singular Purpose With Linux Matters<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQFVBPYCVc/VGDvE8kgufI/AAAAAAAAYKI/ohj2Xn3xRT8/s1600/viking-ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LmQFVBPYCVc/VGDvE8kgufI/AAAAAAAAYKI/ohj2Xn3xRT8/s1600/viking-ship.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_ships" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Viking ships">Viking Ship</a> (Image Credit: image-pearl.com) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" target="_blank" title="Open Source">Open Source</a> isn't really about <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_software" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Application software">Application Software</a>. No, it's a philosophy. That's it.<br />
<br />
Most think of Open Source in the context of Software Development, naturally, but it goes further than that. It is, essentially, a mindset and 'way of life'.<br />
<br />
One can share in a cooperative fashion making contributions to a singular cause and remain compatible with Open Source. This is a human trait -- a willingness to cooperate, share, help others. Nurturing and embracing the Open Source philosophy can produce positive results on many levels.<br />
<br />
Open Source and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="GNU General Public License">Gnu Public License</a> confer the end-user flexibility to access and make changes to the Linux codebase.<br />
<br />
Working cooperatively in lock-step fashion in a large team of Developers requires sharing in the goals of a project and furtherance of those goals, even when there might be some disagreement with the approach taken to do a task or disagreement with agreed-to management objectives or community goals.<br />
<br />
The current 'rift' which has developed around whether Debian should or should not incorporate middle-ware design changes promulgated by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.redhat.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Red Hat">Red Hat</a> has become a focus of discussion with consideration being given to forking the entire Debian codebase in an effort to retain control of those design changes which are pending in merging systemd into Debian.<br />
<br />
The very idea of being able to fork a code base is a good thing. It was demonstrable when Oracle asserted their control over <a class="zem_slink" href="http://openoffice.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="OpenOffice">OpenOffice</a> in a way which resulted in irreconcilable differences with the Open Source Community sufficiently to cause a fork to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.libreoffice.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="LibreOffice">LibreOffice</a>. It is assumed that conditions were reached where the requirements set forth by Oracle management oversight were recognized as incompatible with Open Source, the philosophy, and so we now see the end result.<br />
<br />
The outcome in this example fortunately was a good one. It relieved an intractable situation and enabled work to continue on an otherwise viable project.<br />
<br />
The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.debian.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Debian">Debian Project</a> has taken input on the decision to switch away from aged sysvinit to systemd some time ago. It was all done with requests for public feedback to be considered in making the final choice.<br />
<br />
I feel that choice, to switch to systemd, was a good one given systemd's recognized 'net' technical merits.<br />
<br />
Yet, today, we see splinter groups who for their own reasons, some which may be valid and some which may not be valid, wish to fork Debian.<br />
<br />
What will the unforeseen 'unintended consequences' of taking such action be?<br />
<br />
In my estimation, it will put a 'cloud' over Debian, for one, and produce increased end-user confusion with 'mixed messages' implied as to what is 'good verses bad' design. A fork of Debian is divisive and will so cause an 'us verses them' environment, hostility, isolation, continued disagreement and is not conducive to cooperation and compatible with the Open Source philosophy.<br />
<br />
The Vikings learned to build ships with arrays of oars wherein men would cooperate to function in a collective purpose moving their oars in the water in unison to a drum beat, thereby moving the vessel efficiently and speedily like no other.<br />
<br />
It was effective. It was necessarily cooperative or it would not work. Ignoring the drum beat would cause the ship to founder and not be propelled forward.<br />
<br />
Having yet another fork of Linux is arguably good and bad. It moves manpower away from one project to another.<br />
<br />
Forking dilutes the effectiveness of staying to a singular purpose, a singular api, and introduces more variation which makes achieving standards all the more difficult.<br />
<br />
It is because <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Windows">Microsoft Windows</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.apple.com/osx" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="OS X">Apple OSX</a> are singular apis that a thriving ecosystem was born. Out of singularity standardization developed, de facto and otherwise. There was less confusion as all parties involved know the API is singular and coding applications is vastly simplified.<br />
<br />
In terms of commercial involvement, such considerations matter greatly. Cost for one is reduced when it is known in advance that software behaves one and only one way and so administrative controls can be put in place to promote stability. Enterprise craves stability. Systems must run uninterrupted. Any perceived inconsistencies regarding one particular operating system, Linux, will be viewed as 'weaknesses' and that is to be expected. No CIO wants to have multiple <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Application programming interface">APIs</a> and their attendant complexities to support. It is at minimum, inefficient and less than stable and less than cost-effective.<br />
<br />
Thus, I feel, while forking is important, and Debian 'purists' have the best of intentions, the end result of such a fork will result in a general decline in the use of Debian regardless of which middle-ware is utilitzed.<br />
<br />
It is because of this forking, cloning with Distro-sprawl that I reached the conclusion that sticking with ONE Distro was crucial to the overall success of Linux on the Desktop and in the Data Center. With that said, I chose Fedora by virtue of its Red Hat guidance and breadth of community involvement.<br />
<br />
So, just because one can fork, clone, by virtue of the GPLv2 licensing terms, doesn't mean one should. While it made sense to fork OpenOffice.org, it does not with Debian and will be harmful.<br />
<br />
Restraint and adherence to one API is vital to moving Linux into the realm of mass adoption. -- Dietrich</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5447608397823343035.post-82449307909592191712014-11-05T19:38:00.003-05:002014-11-05T19:38:45.151-05:00Fedora 21 Workstation Preview - YouTube Video<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif, font-size:16px;">Sometimes you can talk a subject to death and it won't matter. So, it helps greatly for people who have no Linux experience to get a visualization of what Fedora is all about.<br />
<br />
The next Fedora is just around the corner and I have spent extensive time testing Fedora 21 Workstation, currently in beta as of November 4, 2014.<br />
<br />
With that, I present to you a YouTube video I created this morning to give a rudimentary view of Fedora 21 Workstation running <a class="zem_slink" href="http://live.gnome.org/GnomeShell" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="GNOME Shell">Gnome Shell</a> 3.14.1.5 and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.kernel.org/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Linux kernel">Linux Kernel</a> 3.17.2.<br />
<br />
I particularly hope it helps sway new users to come on board. </span> -- Dietrich<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0