I think there may be some worse than these, but it’s a good starting point for some of the biggest IT problems we’ve seen.
 
[tags]Peter Coffer’s worst IT mistakes gallery, Worst IT mistakes ever?[/tags]
Category: Techie
Anything of particular interest to the techie crowd.
Mythbusters defeat “Never been beaten” digital lock
(via Engadget)
I love watching Mythbusters. My favorite myth to date is probably the chicken gun myth (which they confirmed to be true), although there are so many other good ones that are close. This video of a recent Mythbusters shows the guys defeating a digital fingerprint lock with a latex copy of a fingerprint, a ballistics gel copy, and finally a photocopy with a little water on it. This doesn’t mean defeating this types of locks is trivial, but it does show that these types of locks aren’t as foolproof safe as many people believe them to be.
Of course, this type of testing has been done before. It’s just more fun watching the Mythbusters do it.
[tags]Mythbusters defeat undefeatable lock, Mythbusters break biometric lock[/tags]
Sirius Stiletto available for pre-order, but why?
While 
catching up on my gadget news recently, I stumble over this tidbit on Engadget, and I’m trying to figure out why people would buy this? Here’s what I understand – the Stiletto is a handheld satellite radio received which allows you to record your Sirius radio stream, storing up to 100 hours. I think it also lets you upload mp3s to the device for later playback. Some folks might even think it is sexy or something like that.
But it costs $349 for the wifi version and $249 for the non-wifi. And I just can’t understand paying that. Call me crazy, but if I pay $349 for something called a stiletto, it had better come with a hot red-head willing to engage in some serious scrotum stomping stiletto heel sadism. Can someone explain to me why people are all ape-nuts ga-ga over this?
[tags]Sirius Stiletto for pre-order, $349 for satellite radio portable[/tags]
Get increased control over your Windows windows
DM2 is a cool open source tool that gives you more control over your Windows experience.
DM2 provides several Windows enhancements that may help in every-day work. One of the nicest and most popular features of DM2 is minimizing windows to floating icons® (unique feature!) freeing both task bar and tray bar space. Moreover, DM2 can manipulate windows in various ways: minimize to tray, make them standing always on-top over all other windows, roll to caption, resize, align to screen borders, hide, set the opacity etc. DM2 also helps with Open/Save dialog boxes, by providing user-defined menu with favorites and recent files and folders. Plenty of program’s settings options will satisfy most of requirements.
And that is not all! DM2 also supports custom plugins, which further enhances the program and that usually covers some more specific functionalities. So, from this aspect, one may think of DM2 as a small, but robust manager for all kind of plugins. Find what you need, plug it in, and use it:)
One of the reasons I like this tool is the Virtual Desktop plugin for it. Get access to extra desktops. I’m so accustomed to this feature in Linux and Unix that getting it on a Windows system is a nice bonus.
[tags]Improve your Windows experience, DM2[/tags]
Anti-Rootkit tools
In this day and age of malware everywhere, it’s nice to occasionally use tools that look a little deeper at your system to see if something bad is hidden there. From Sophos, you can get the Sophos Anti-Rootkit. From F-Secure, you can get F-Secure Blacklight. From SysInternals, you can get Rootkit Revealer. All of these tools look for certain abnormalities that appear on your system when you have a rootkit. They won’t catch everything, but they do pick up a lot of stuff not hidden perfectly. Rootkit revealer is the tool Mark Russinovich was testing when he discovered and publicized the Sony DRM Rootkit. The Rootkit Revealer download page has good information on how to read the output to tell if you have a rootkit.
While we’re dealing with anti-malware tools, why not head over to Grisoft’s web site and pick up the free version of AVG anti-virus (free for home use, that is)? And since we’re on that thread, there’s AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, also free for private individual use. Or how about Avast Home Edition? Even if it weren’t already a great AV tool, it would be worth checking out for it’s name – anything pirate sounding deserves recognition.
In fact, there are so many free anti-malware and security tools out there, that you should just start checking more of them out. You should find something that works for you without being too intrusive. I recommend starting with Freebyte’s guide to anti-virus and anti-malware tools.
Thanks to Clif at Freewarewiki for pointing out the Sophos tool in the August 27th newsletter. This lead me to putting out some other recommendations for free anti-rootkit and anti-malware tools.
[tags]Free anti-rootkit tools, Free anti-virus tools, Free anti-malware tools[/tags]
Top 10 Ubuntu hacks
This one gets a posting just because I know folks who are using or at least trying out the latest Ubuntu distribution. If you are just getting your Ubuntu install running, or are thinking of trying Ubuntu out, be sure to check out the LifeHacker list of 10 essential Ubuntu applications and tweaks.
8. Add NTFS Read/Write support
If you’re switching from Windows, chances are you’ve got lots of data stored on an NTFS (New Technology File System) formatted drive that you’re not ready to get rid of. This used to be a major problem, since Linux isn’t able to write files to NTFS drives. Or at least that used to be the case. Luckily the Linux-NTFS project has built a driver to overcome those limitations.
HOWTO: NTFS with read/write support using ntfs-3g (easy method)
[Ubuntu Forums]
[tags]Ubuntu, Apps and tweaks[/tags]
Boot XP from your USB key
I missed this way back when, but recently stumbled on it and thought it was pretty cool. Earlier this year, InformationWeek ran an article on how to boot Windows XP from a USB key drive. This OS feat is possible thanks to Bart Lagerweij’s BartPE, a recent update to USB handling in Windows 2003 that also benefits XP, and work done by other software authors to fix remaining issues.
Before we get too far, it’s worth noting that there are some kinds of boot-from-USB problems that software fixes can’t cure. For example, not all PCs (especially older ones) support boot-from-USB in the first place: If the system doesn’t allow it, it’s game over. (If your PC supports boot-from USB, it’ll be an option in the BIOS setup tool.) There can be compatibility issues with USB 1.0 and 2.0 hardware, and with “High Speed” versus “Full Speed” or “Low Speed” support. And so on.
. . .
Booting XP From A USB Drive, Step By Step
First, if you haven’t already, grab a free copy of BartPE. You’ll find all the information you need on getting and using this tool in “A Must-Have Repair And Recovery Tool.” and at Bart’s site.Next, you need new versions of two files from Microsoft: “setupldr.bin” and “ramdisk.sys”. These new files are part of the Windows Server 2003 SP1 pack, which you can download from Microsoft no matter what operating system you’re running. So, if you’re not running Server 2003, it’s not a problem.
Here’s what to do:
For the guide with step-by-step instructions and occasional screen captures, hit the story on Information Week‘s web site.
[tags]Boot Windows XP off a USB key, XP on USB key[/tags]
Take a closer look at OpenBSD with IBM
Looking for a reliable, proven operating system to run mission critical applications on and security is your highest priority? Well, perhaps you should consider putting your trust in OpenBSD, the Unix-style OS built from the ground up with security as its number one priority. Take a look at the features and function of this OS in this write-up from IBM.
OpenBSD is quite possibly the most secure operating system on the planet. Every step of the development process focuses on building a secure, open, and free platform. UNIX® and Linux® administrators take note: Without realizing it, you probably use tools ported from OpenBSD every day. Maybe it’s time to give the whole operating system a closer look.
When security is of the utmost importance, it’s only logical to look to the same operating system that spawned today’s standard in secure remote access, OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell). OpenSSH is just one part of OpenBSD, a distribution that has focused on security from the ground up, accomplishing a goal of creating a UNIX®-like operating system that is secure by default. This stand is in contrast to most operating systems today, which require significant time and energy to harden the environment before going live. In fact, OpenBSD is so secure that it was once banned for use in a DEF CON competition, where crackers go after each other’s systems.
I’ll admit here my failings in the BSD world. I learned Unix on SunOS 4.1, which was berserkley (a term for Berkeley I picked up from a college professor) based, but outside that, I have little exposure to any BSD system. Perhaps it’s time for a VMWare install of one or more BSDs? Anyway, I’ve known about the features of the various BSDs, but haven’t tried installing one in years. The IBM write-up here has just a little bit about the install process, so it’s just the kind of thing to help get you going.
[tags]BSD, OpenBSD, Berkeley Software Distribution[/tags]
Approaching the uncanny valley
(via TechEBlog)
Scientists in Japan have recently announced the development of a “lifelike” female android called “Repliee Q1Expo.” Of course, they should have named her Rachael, I think, but what do I know? (And speaking of Sean Young, go check out her pictures on IMDB – I can barely believe she’s nearly 50).
More information from the BBC:
She has flexible silicone for skin rather than hard plastic, and a number of sensors and motors to allow her to turn and react in a human-like manner.
She can flutter her eyelids and move her hands like a human. She even appears to breathe.
So why the uncanny valley reference? Well…
Instant domain search
(via BloggingPro)
If you are looking to register a new domain, here’s a tool to help you find the perfect name. Using AJAX, Instant Domain Search shows the .com, .org, and .net address availability of the domain you are typing, as you type it. Here’s just a snip of the screen you’ll see when trying it out.
[tags]Instant Domain Search, Cool domain search tool, AJAX domain tool[/tags]
Firefox inline autocomplete
One of the very few things I like about Internet Exploder Explorer is inline autocomplete. Every time I install Firefox on a system, I have to go look up how to turn on inline autocomplete for my Firefox install. Since I can never remember, I figure some other folks out there have the same problem. For those that have this issue, here’s the method necessary to turn it on. Damn, it’s simple.
- Type about:config in the Location Bar
- Right-click on the page and create a new boolean value
- Type
browser.urlbar.autoFill- Set the value to
true
And you are done. I turn this feature on so often that I wish it were an built-in option so I didn’t have to manually add it. That, or have it default to on, and include instructions on the web for turning it off. But I’m guessing I’m in the minority for preferring it on, or it would default to on.
[tags]Firefox, Inline autocomplete[/tags]
Light gets tired, slows down – perhaps an old age issue?
While some people might try to tell you that light is subject to the doppler effect, the authors of this article from the November 1932 issue of Modern Mechanix magazine know otherwise. The reality is, after travelling for centuries and centuries to reach earth, the light is tired, and slows down as a result. My theory is the light just wants to stop and smell the roses, seeing how Earth is the only planet around that has roses. Now I can’t confirm that Earth is the only nearby planet with roses, but I’ve got a pretty strong conviction on this.
THAT light rays get tired as they travel for millions of years through space, fritter away a little of themselves century by century and end by changing color so that rays which started as blue ones may finish by becoming red is suggested by scientists. Astronomers have discovered that light rays coming to the earth from the most distant nebulae actually show what is called the “red shift,†which means the light from these nebulae is shifted a little toward the red end of the spectrum. What may be happening is that each tiny bit of each light ray may lose a small fraction of its substance as it moves through space.
As pointed out on the Modern Mechanix web page, the concept of stars moving away from Earth, thereby causing red-shift, was known and used as early as 1868 for measuring the velocity of stars movement away from us. So who knows why these people used this article, as it could already be shown as nonsense at the time.
[tags]Modern Mechanix, Light gets tired, doppler effect, red-shift[/tags]