2002 August

The Linux Webring
http://linuxwebring.org/
Back when I was regularly “journaling”, I belonged to more web rings than I
could possibly note on my site. I liked the traffic they generated and the
common feel - sites of similar ilk accessible one after the other with a single
click.
The Linux Webring serves its purpose well. Though I haven’t worked my way
completely […]

ZenWeb
http://www.zenspider.com/ZSS/Products/ZenWeb/

“ZenWeb is a system for building entire Web sites, not just pages. It allows you
to focus on the content and the structure of the website, while leaving page
construction, markup, layout, and navigation as secondary concerns. It provides
tools for complete Web site design and creation, simple paragraph to HTML
generation with embellishments, and a rich set […]

Kernel Configuration - Part XXX
I wouldn’t have guessed that the kernel configuration series would go a full 30
parts, plus. But, there’s so much to talk about, and we’ve got nothing but time,
right?
Today’s installment looks into USB support in the Linux kernel. This is an area
that has seen massive improvement over the past 18 months. […]

Changing DEs
Knowing that most in the US are headed off for a long Labor Day Weekend, today’s
Tweak is a quick one.
Did you know that you can change your default desktop environment in Linux on
the fly? Remember, X isn’t inextricably tied into the kernel code as it is with
some other OSs we know of. That […]

We definitely moved toward the edge in the offices today.
After the little static charge fiasco in the week prior to Gnomedex, we needed
to replace our router in the Fullbrain offices. We did that today and the setup just
couldn’t possibly be slicker or more useful.
I picked up a 2.4 Ghz wireless Linksys Cable/DSL router with a […]

Linux Standard Base
http://www.linuxbase.org/
I don’t think I could describe the mission of the Linux Standard Base any better
than the site’s authors:

The goal of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) is to develop and promote a set of
standards that will increase compatibility among Linux distributions and enable
software applications to run on any compliant Linux system. In addition, […]

Privoxy 3.0.0

http://www.privoxy.org/
“Privoxy is a Web proxy based on Internet Junkbuster with advanced filtering
capabilities for protecting privacy, filtering Web page content, managing
cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups, and other
obnoxious Internet junk. Privoxy has a very flexible configuration and can be
customized to suit individual needs and tastes. Privoxy is useful for both
stand-alone systems and multi-user […]

Kernel Configuration - Part XXIX
It’s sure nice, when you’re crunching away at the computer, to have music
accompanying the clack of the keyboard. Linux, with the proper kernel
configuration, is well equipped to provide the tunes you need, as well.
The sound configuration section in the kernel configuration has grown by leaps
and bounds over the past couple of […]

The User’s Mask
Linux, like its UNIX cousin, utilizes a single variable to establish permissions
on any file created. It’s called umask, and acronym for “user mask” or
“user file creation mask.” The umask variable assigns the default permissions to
be used, on a user by user basis, when a file is created.
On the surface, the umask […]

Alright, so I’m getting really peeved. I hope you’ll indulge me for one more
day.
We all understand, of course, that North Carolina is the entertainment capitol
of the world, right? Glitz, glamour - tobacco fields. Hmmm, something about that
just doesn’t sound right.
While you digest that, let’s talk about “fair use.” It’s a long-held legal
principal that gives […]

Linux Hardware Database
http://lhd.datapower.com/
Have you ever wondered if that killer video card you’ve been eyeing for months
will be compatible in Linux? Or maybe you saw a great deal on a new hard drive
on eBay, but aren’t sure if you should spend the money. The Linux Hardware
Database is a great place to find out if that new […]

Nightfall 1.21

http://www.lsw.uni-heidelberg.de/~rwichman/Nightfall.html
“Astronomy for fun (education, science, whatever). Nightfall is an interactive
application to simulate eclipsing binary stars, and to produce animated views,
synthetic light curves and more. Takes into account the non-spherical shape of
close binary stars, mutual reflection, and some other effects. Comes with
documentation, on-line help, and lots of observational data of real binary
stars. Supports the Gnome […]

Kernel Configuration - Part XXVIII
Console drivers are the topic in today’s installment of the kernel configuration
series. It’s all pretty simple, really.
Console drivers are what give you the capability to a) view a console screen in
X and b) adjust your console settings even when not in X. By default, most
distros will build VGA text console […]

Perl Calculator
Most Linux systems installed with the distro defaults include perl. You probably
recognize perl from it’s widespread use in web applications. It does a great job
in that realm. But perl is also a nearly complete programming language. With
perl installed on your machine, you can take advantage of the full set of perl
math functions, […]

There are some random thoughts floating through my head today like dust motes in
the light through the window.
There’s been some sort of odd residual Gnomedex effect this week. It’s part
contemplative, part inspiration, part action.
I watched the first few minutes of The Screensavers on
TechTV last night, just to see Leo’s comments on Gnomedex. Both he […]

Mandrake Linux 9.0
http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/90beta.php3
Today’s click is the official scoop on Mandrake Linux 9.0, directly from the
company site. 9.0 is a beta release that includes new versions of Open Office,
improvements on the DrakX installer and the first full release of Drakcronat - a
cron and at configuration utility. If you like life at the bleeding edge, this
might […]

WebFTP 2.1.2

http://www.web-ftp.org/
“Web-FTP is a Perl/CGI FTP client that can provide quick, easy, and (with an
SSL-enhanced Web server) more secure access to your FTP server. Designed with
file management in mind, it supports uploads, downloads, and all the usual
tasks. No spool directories are used; file transfers are relayed directly from
the server to the client and vice versa. […]

Kernel Configuration - Part XXVII
It’s on to filesystem support in today’s installment of the kernel configuration
series.
As you know, Linux supports a wide variety of filesystem formats. From Amiga’s
FFS to System V/Xenix, you’re likely to find the filesystem of choice in the
Linux kernel configuration. However, many of the filesystems in the kernel
configuration are relatively rare […]

Error Correction
Here’s another quick tip for all you bash users - likely most of you. As always,
it’s about saving keystrokes and operating at maximum efficiency.
It seems like every time I type in the command “snortstart” to fire off the
script that starts the snort sniffer on my machine, it comes out “snortstatr.”
When that happens, I […]

It’s time to climb up on the soapbox for a bit and talk about the ugly turn
things have taken in the entertainment industry.
We could be a few short days away from seeing the end of one of the Internet’s
most exciting advances - Internet radio. Thanks to the heavy-handed tactics of
the RIAAand the complete
cluelessness of the […]