I'm using a 1995 DX4 laptop running Red Hat 5.1 for a DNS server and remote backup device (with SCSI PC card and 1GB JAZ Drive) the built in laptop battery gives the effect of a UPS on our larger systems. It runs plenty fast for its application, and is very quiet and reliable.
I'm a networking, sysadmin, programmer (mostly programmer) consultant for small businesses in Sarasota, Florida. Most of my customers are small businesses (less than 12 people) and are looking for ways to keep costs down.
After proposing a new 2.4GHz server with Win2k3, they were sticker shocked and decided to not hire me for the job. Then one of THEM mentioned Linux (which I love and hav used for 5 years). I told them that I use Linux in my software development practice, and we could consider this as an alternative for File Server (Samba), centralized security (ldap) and backups (Mandrake backup utility). We're also using VNC (realvnc.org) for remote desktop. I can also easily SSH and do remote X session from my office, or use VNC.
It's been up for a week now, and they LOVE IT! It's fast, flexible, and you cant beat the price. And I've learned my Lesson to be mention Linux even when they specifically ask for Windows (I'm not a pushy sales person, but I do believe an presenting choices to my customers)
They wanted to outsource their IT department (the owner doesn't ever want to worry or think about their IT issues), so we made a deal that allows me to keep their systems updated, but doesn't force him to hire an on-site IT person.
Speed was NOT an issue for the Samba server, since they mostly use MS Office (win xp pro workstations) documents. However, this was a great step for them to embrace and support open source software (I donate to several projects in turn).
I hope this story might help somebody who is considering doing something similar. I'm happy to answer any questions about our experiences.
Does anyone know of any projects that would allow me to "hack" my Linksys router. I would like to experiment with my own software using the existing hardware, and wonder if there are any projects that will help me get started.
I'm looking for tips about compiling, linking and flashing my own code into my Linksys router.
I used to work at Radio Shack (15 years ago) and remember the some devices would require the use of dummy cells if alkaline batteries were used. The dummy cell was a plastic insert with a shunt wire that basically filled the place of a battery cell. This way, devices that supported NiCd would use all Rechargable cells, or while using Alkaline, you would insert the dummy cells to adjust the voltage.
It seems that most devices now are engineered only for alakaline, and have no room for extra cells to create the required voltage.
"Irony is not a black fly in your chardonnay. Irony is a Scotsman cloning a sheep. Irony is the renaming of an airport after the president who fired all the air traffic controllers."
I use NetJuke which streams all my MP3s to any PC on my local subnet. I also use a laptop with wireless LAN 802.11b outside on the patio which can play the streaming MP3 songs, plus I can dual boot the laptop from either Windows or Linux and still play my music. Works great for my purposes.
You may also checkout Linux InfraRed Controller LIRC for a remote control solution. Using LIRC may also allow you to use existing IR remote controls.
good luck!
So...what books DO you all recommend?
on
Linux Clustering
·
· Score: 5, Interesting
For somebody who wants to learn about Linux clusters. I've played with Mosix and was impressed. What are good books and sources to learn about Linux Clusters?
Does anyone here use Smarty? We love it, and have found it to be a wonderful template engine.
It has a great user manual, but I would welcome a good PHP book that deals with Smarty templates.
http://memtest86.com - very strict memory checker, free project.
http://fgouget.free.fr/misc/badram.shtml - article about using bad memory.
http://rick.vanrein.org/linux/badram/download.ht ml - BadRAM module for Linux, BSD, etc. Use this to specify the areas of bad memory so you can use the DIMM.
check out memtest86. I have used it to check memory when doing troubleshooting on problem machines.
One option will generate the memory specs you can use with Linux to tell the kernel which memory spots to avoid. Although the idea of avoiding problem areas of known 'bad' memory sounds nice, I wouldn't use it in my machines.
There is one of two cold water geysers in Green River, Utah. The other is somewhere in Switzerland (so I hear). I was last there about 5 years ago when you could stand next to the geyser and lean into the stream while errupting. Pretty cool if you're into natural phenomenon.
I used to contribute to this project, and enjoyed learning about the protocol this way. Today, I have little time to give in this area, but wanted to share with those who haven't come across:
I wonder with all this new dependency on the TCPA/DRM chip, if there will be a renewed surge in open source BIOS projects -- those that ask you "do you want to use the chip or not?"
If I do, then this could be a surefire way to prevent boot sector corruption (since the BIOS won't allow it unless *I* allow). If "they" control it, then I'll always be performing some kind of authentication myself by calling 1-800... As far as I see it, this could be a great step in protecting my systems...or a major pain...
Slashdot Mirror
I'm using a 1995 DX4 laptop running Red Hat 5.1 for a DNS server and remote backup device (with SCSI PC card and 1GB JAZ Drive) the built in laptop battery gives the effect of a UPS on our larger systems. It runs plenty fast for its application, and is very quiet and reliable.
I'm a networking, sysadmin, programmer (mostly programmer) consultant for small businesses in Sarasota, Florida. Most of my customers are small businesses (less than 12 people) and are looking for ways to keep costs down.
After proposing a new 2.4GHz server with Win2k3, they were sticker shocked and decided to not hire me for the job. Then one of THEM mentioned Linux (which I love and hav used for 5 years). I told them that I use Linux in my software development practice, and we could consider this as an alternative for File Server (Samba), centralized security (ldap) and backups (Mandrake backup utility). We're also using VNC (realvnc.org) for remote desktop. I can also easily SSH and do remote X session from my office, or use VNC.
It's been up for a week now, and they LOVE IT! It's fast, flexible, and you cant beat the price. And I've learned my Lesson to be mention Linux even when they specifically ask for Windows (I'm not a pushy sales person, but I do believe an presenting choices to my customers)
They wanted to outsource their IT department (the owner doesn't ever want to worry or think about their IT issues), so we made a deal that allows me to keep their systems updated, but doesn't force him to hire an on-site IT person.
Speed was NOT an issue for the Samba server, since they mostly use MS Office (win xp pro workstations) documents. However, this was a great step for them to embrace and support open source software (I donate to several projects in turn).
I hope this story might help somebody who is considering doing something similar. I'm happy to answer any questions about our experiences.
-Scott James
I like the tux ketchup (catsup?)
Apparently, the names of Tux and friend are:
"Green & Peen"
(that's how to pronounce the names on the label)
If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into a committee -- that will do them in.
In Hal's voice:
"Help I've fallen and I cant' get up."
Does anyone know of any projects that would allow me to "hack" my Linksys router. I would like to experiment with my own software using the existing hardware, and wonder if there are any projects that will help me get started.
I'm looking for tips about compiling, linking and flashing my own code into my Linksys router.
thanks!
I used to work at Radio Shack (15 years ago) and remember the some devices would require the use of dummy cells if alkaline batteries were used. The dummy cell was a plastic insert with a shunt wire that basically filled the place of a battery cell. This way, devices that supported NiCd would use all Rechargable cells, or while using Alkaline, you would insert the dummy cells to adjust the voltage.
It seems that most devices now are engineered only for alakaline, and have no room for extra cells to create the required voltage.
"Irony is not a black fly in your chardonnay. Irony is a Scotsman cloning a sheep. Irony is the renaming of an airport after the president who fired all the air traffic controllers."
Sabrina Matthews,
Friday Night Standup
I use NetJuke which streams all my MP3s to any PC on my local subnet. I also use a laptop with wireless LAN 802.11b outside on the patio which can play the streaming MP3 songs, plus I can dual boot the laptop from either Windows or Linux and still play my music. Works great for my purposes.
You may also checkout Linux InfraRed Controller LIRC for a remote control solution. Using LIRC may also allow you to use existing IR remote controls.
good luck!
For somebody who wants to learn about Linux clusters. I've played with Mosix and was impressed. What are good books and sources to learn about Linux Clusters?
After all, 42 IS the answer to life, the universe and everything!
I hope there is still as much hacking potential as the original ReplayTV. There are some impressive projects going on out there!
http://rtvpatch.sourceforge.net/
So, I wonder when these people will get up to speed and include this "feature".
Perhaps it will call Linus himself for permission to boot?
Linux BIOS Project
maybe all they have left is their bite?
Where's Marvin?
Does anyone here use Smarty? We love it, and have found it to be a wonderful template engine.
It has a great user manual, but I would welcome a good PHP book that deals with Smarty templates.
smarty.php.net
Did anyone else catch that the action = 42? Nice touch, thinkgeek!
I must have seen it over 100 times, and used to do my Physics homework while watching it. I aced the class too :)
Definately check out:
t ml - BadRAM module for Linux, BSD, etc. Use this to specify the areas of bad memory so you can use the DIMM.
http://memtest86.com - very strict memory checker, free project.
http://fgouget.free.fr/misc/badram.shtml - article about using bad memory.
http://rick.vanrein.org/linux/badram/download.h
check out memtest86. I have used it to check memory when doing troubleshooting on problem machines.
One option will generate the memory specs you can use with Linux to tell the kernel which memory spots to avoid. Although the idea of avoiding problem areas of known 'bad' memory sounds nice, I wouldn't use it in my machines.
There is one of two cold water geysers in Green River, Utah. The other is somewhere in Switzerland (so I hear). I was last there about 5 years ago when you could stand next to the geyser and lean into the stream while errupting. Pretty cool if you're into natural phenomenon.
Crystal Geyser
I used to contribute to this project, and enjoyed learning about the protocol this way. Today, I have little time to give in this area, but wanted to share with those who haven't come across:
Gnucleus
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/01/24/154920 7&mode=thread&tid=95
what timing...ironic, eh?
I wonder with all this new dependency on the TCPA/DRM chip, if there will be a renewed surge in open source BIOS projects -- those that ask you "do you want to use the chip or not?"
If I do, then this could be a surefire way to prevent boot sector corruption (since the BIOS won't allow it unless *I* allow).
If "they" control it, then I'll always be performing some kind of authentication myself by calling 1-800...
As far as I see it, this could be a great step in protecting my systems...or a major pain...