Archive for September, 2005
Submissions for Linux.Conf.Au 2006 have now closed, and as promised, here are the abstracts I have submitted.
Setting up Ubuntu Linux as a kiosk browser in a school library
After Linux.Conf.Au 2005 I had a set of Ubuntu CDs and a problem. The library where I work had taken a set of their unused Windows NT4 staff network computers containing sensitive data and added them to the student network. All these computers were ever going to be needed for was accessing the web based library catalogue and occasional Internet access, and I needed a project, so I converted them to Linux.
In this seminar, I will detail what I did to setup Ubuntu Linux and lock down the settings so that it wasn’t going to be tampered with. I will talk about the rotating message screensaver and the script behind it, and what I did to make it easy for the library staff to change the messages when they needed to. I will show exactly how I made it impossible for standard users to do anything they shouldn’t be able to do.
I will be delighted to show people what I did, I’m proud of it as it was my first attempt at locking down Linux like this, and I would love to hear feedback on how I could have done this more efficiently.
The Library staff are delighted about how well these computers work now, and I’m delighted that Linux is slowly taking over the school I work at, even if the education department aren’t!
Helping Windows users migrate to Linux
Windows is currently the dominant operating system, but a lot of Windows users are interested in seeing what all the fuss about open source and Linux is. These users often don’t know how to “get” Linux or what the difference is between proprietary and Open Source software.
In this seminar, I propose to examine the many different ways that computer users (primarily Windows users) can be introduced to Open Source software, and even be migrated to Linux.
I will run through my favoured methods of introduction, including slowly showing them what open source software is capable of, and dumping a Linux distro on them so that they can teach themselves.
I will also run through the different ways that Open Source evangelism should be approached for the many different skill levels and types of computer users out there.
I would also, as part of all of the above, examine how user’s dependence on Windows can be diminished.
All of this will come from my own personal experience in showing people Open Source software, integrating Open Source solutions to do the jobs previously being done by proprietary software, and my own experiences in chucking myself in at the deep end of many unfamiliar Linux distros.
Is the Linux Firewall Distro facing extinction?
For many years, Linux has been distributed in the form of firewall distros, designed to turn older, redundant hardware into a dedicated protective device for your network, but with the proliferation of SOHO routers, the primary users of Linux Firewall Distros, home networks, appear to be turning away from the computer in the corner concept.
SOHO routers are becoming more flexible, more powerful and more attractive, they are small, light and easy to install, but are they viable competition to Linux Firewall Distros? Or are they just a partner product, also providing a level of protection? And what threat do they pose to the ongoing success of Linux Firewall Distros?
In this seminar, I aim to answer these questions and provide my reasons for believing that Linux Firewall Distros will live forever, due to their power, cost, ongoing distro maintenance, standard architecture and ability to modify by the end user.
I will also show why I believe Linux is the future of security products for all users, and potentially the infrastructure of the internet.
I will draw on my experience with network security in both home and corporate environments, as well as my experience being involved with the ongoing support and development of Linux Firewall Distros.
Well, now comes the fun bit of waiting until the 20th to 30th of this month to see if one of my submissions have been accepted. If one of them is then I will be off to Dunedin for LCA 2006, otherwise, I suspect I will be firmly planted on Aussie Terra Firma.
Samuel
September 6th, 2005 at 08:49pm
British Companies have been warned that they face a computer “meltdown” as zillions of british workers use their computers to track cricket scores during the fifth Ashes test.
One of the quotes from computer firm Network General was quite interesting and amusing
While every company is aware of the risks posed by computer viruses, few will have ever considered Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan’s men a potential threat to their computer networks
Interesting, this could be an opportunity to semi-solve the problem of yesterday’s “cricket score statusbar” searcher.
I personally use the resources of Channel 7 to keep up to date with cricket scores when I’m not near the TV, just hover on cricket and click scoreboard, and hey presto (or bingo, or bingo bango bongo) you have live cricket scores & stats.
Samuel
September 6th, 2005 at 10:51am
This is a story that caught my attention this morning.
A Romanian man who stole seven chickens has been jailed for three and a half years. The man, who is 51, was apprehended whilst returning to Romania after a four year absence, apparently he was recognised by his international arrest warrant. The man was very suprised to find himself on Interpol’s most wanted list.
I’m no expert on Romania or it’s law, but if these chickens are a form of currency he may have comitted an offence similar to robbing a bank.
UK news source Ananova have slightly more details, and not as much humour.
I wonder what he did with the chickens?
Samuel
September 6th, 2005 at 10:42am
Schnappi remained in eighth position on the ARIA singles chart overnight.
Schnappi Still Stable could be thrown into a remix of the song I suppose
Shni Schna Schnappi, Schnappi Shtill Shtable
OK, maybe not…
Samuel
September 5th, 2005 at 06:23pm
As I mentioned a couple hours ago, radio historian Wayne Mac appeared on Perth radio station 6PR to talk about his upcoming book on the history of Australian commercial radio.
I have recorded it and you can download it from here.
Samuel
September 5th, 2005 at 12:37am
I just performed a Google image search for “Samuel Gordon-Stewart” and found that they think I’m a penguin.
The one result is the following picture from the photo gallery.
Samuel
September 4th, 2005 at 10:42pm
Radio historian and former broadcaster/program director at numerous radio stations, Wayne Mac, is currently producing a book “on the life and times of Australian commercial radio” called Don’t Touch That Dial – Hits ‘n’ Memories of Australian Radio. Wayne’s book will probably only be available in a limited print run, but he has plenty of information on his website, www.waynemac.com.
So why am I telling you all this? Well, I have been rather excited about this book for a while, and it seems that a lot of people in the radio industry are too, and tonight we all have what will probably be a “once in a lifetime chance” to hear more about the book as Wayne will be appearing on Perth’s Radio 6PR to talk about his book, and I for one will be listening to the webstream (and if I remember, recording it).
He will be on 6PR at around 9PM perth time (GMT+8), last night the webstream wasn’t working, so let’s hope tonight is different, otherwise I might be making a phone call to Perth…
Samuel
September 4th, 2005 at 07:55pm
For those of you who don’t already know, Sydney radio station 2UE are moving to new all-digital studios in a new building.
The news that I am able to break to you right here is that the first show to come out of the new studios will be Saturday Night Live with Stuart Bocking at 9PM Sydney time, this coming Saturday (September 10), all programming from that point on will be coming from the new digital studios.
2UE were due to start broadcasting from the new studios early this week, but they pushed the date back so that all the staff could learn how to use the new equipment.
It has been said, although I am unable to confirm it, that John Laws’ office is twice the size of 2UE breakfast host Mike Carlton’s office, and that Mike isn’t overly pleased about that.
It is also said, and probably correctly said, that the John Laws studio will have a gold coloured desk with his signature on it, which should match his golden microphone quite well.
Apparently 2UE own this building at 170 Pacific Highway, Greenwich, which has a Dick Smith Electronics store in it (Think Tandy/Radio Shack style store). I suppose if the techs ever need to fix anything they can pop downstairs and grab a bit of solder!
Samuel
September 4th, 2005 at 07:42pm
This week the winner of my Musician Of The Week award is Donovan Philips Leitch, usually know as “Donovan”. The song I have chosen is Candy Man, so here it is.
Candy man, he’s been and gone
My Candy man, he’s been and gone
My Candy man, he’s been and gone.
Now I love everything in this Godalmighty world
God knows I do.
Peppermint stick got a little brass band
I got a peppermint stick I got a little brass band
I got a peppermint stick I got a little brass band
And I’m goin’ down to the gate to score the Candy man stand.
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
‘Cause I love everything in this Godalmighty world
God knows I do.
Candy man, he’s been and gone
My Candy man and his name was John
My Candy man he’s Morocco bound
Now I’d give everything in this Godalmighty world
To bring my Candy man home.
Black skin man give me some bad brew
Oh black skin man give me some bad brew
Oh black skin man give me some bad brew
Now I’d give everything in this Godalmighty world
To bring me my Candy man home.
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
Run fetch a pitcher get the baby some beer
‘Cause I love everything in this Godalmighty world
God knows I do.
Candy man, I love the man,
Yeah the Candy man, he gets me high
My Candy man, yeah I love the man,
And I’d give everything in this Godalmighty world
To bring my Candy man home.
Samuel
September 4th, 2005 at 07:30pm
As you may recall from somewhere in the middle of last night’s lengthy story, I got a “new” radio yesterday.
It’s not exactly new as it is older than I am, but it is new to me, and I like it.
Due to some camera issues I was unable to take a photo of it, and instead I have found one on the internet of another one which has had more wear and tear than my one.
From the site I found the picture on comes this brief history of my WM-F57 Sony Walkman
1986. What the…? For years, Sony marketed the Wakman as a personal stereo experience until this one. The WM-F57 was outfitted with a tiny speaker elmininating the need for headphones. This model shares the same chassis as the WM-F77, my favorite Sony Walkman of all time. It has auto-reverse, local/dx FM sensitivity switch.
Well, I have always had a bit of a fascination with older radios, and to find one that was the first walkman to ever have an inbuilt speaker, and to be one of the few models (based on my research) with a multi-directional cassette tape player lacking mechanical problems makes me very proud.
Older radios have a certain charm to them, and my one is no exception.
Samuel
September 3rd, 2005 at 07:15pm
Just a quick reminder that the Call For Papers for Linux.Conf.Au 2006 to be held in Dunedin closes in two days. If you were planning to submit an abstract and haven’t done it, then you better hurry up and do it.
I have submitted three abstracts, and will put them up here once the CFP closes.
Samuel
September 3rd, 2005 at 06:55pm
Well, apart from a minor incident at school which I won’t comment on until the issue is resolved, I had a pretty good day.
This was mostly due to a lunch meeting with my bus driver friend, which turned into an entire afternoon meeting.
Just after 1PM I met him outside my college (Dickson College) and, rather than doing what we have done for the last two weeks and going to the Dickson Tradies Club for lunch, we went all the way to Tuggeranong for lunch, which was very good. That fried rice and chicken satay with a cappucino was very nice.
After this we went out to Queanbeyan and a used furniture shop which I can’t remember the name of…it is at number 117 on a street in Queanbeyan if that helps. My bus driver friend has an involvement in the store, so it was good to see it for the first time, and meet some interesting people at the same time.
Whilst out there, I was able to pick up a rather nice vintage walkman. Currently I am taking two radios around with me, one is a torch radio which I use as my loudspeaker radio, which is what I prefer to use when walking or sitting in certain areas as headphones do irritate me to some extent, especially as I find they hinder my ability to hear my surrounds. The other radio I carry around with me is a newer walkman which only has a headphone output, this is useful on buses etc as people can be irritated by loudspeaker radios in confined spaces, and holding one right on your ear is unpleasant and partially disorienting due to it partially blocking external noises and effectively preventing my ability to identify the location of noises.
This “new” radio (it’s new to me) has an inbuilt speaker AND a headphone output…and suprisingly it is able to have both the headphones and the speaker on at the same time, it also features a switch to turn the speaker on and off. This will probably be able to do the job of the other two radios and provide a better loudspeaker sound quality than the torch radio.
Not that I have any problem with the other two radios, they are very good and have done their jobs nicely, but this “new” radio has made things easier.
I was going to take some pictures of this radio, but the camera refuses to accept perfectly good batteries and is being argumentative, so you’ll just have to wait.
Back to the story of my day. After the visit to Queanbeyan we decided to have a coffee and as such went back to Dickson, and in particular, Hudson’s, which is owned by people who used to be my next door neighbours. After this my bus driver friend dropped me off at home, which was probably just before 5PM.
After this I went to check the John Laws website to see if this weeks “Best of Laws” segment was on his site yet. Before I go on, I am going to address the ongoing concerns of a number of people who read this blog. Yes, I listen to the John Laws show, this does not mean that I agree with everything on it, but I do enjoy the show, and I do have a very large amount of respect for John Laws, and I find him entertaining. If you disagree with me, I am fine with that, I acknowledge that, just as I am not a fan of most FM music stations, a lot of people can’t stand talk radio and some/all of the presenters. That’s fine, and I have no gripe with that, in fact I find it refreshing that people have incredibly different opinions when it comes to the media, it makes my life much more interesting and entertaining.
Back to the story (again), as I said, I checked the John Laws site for this weeks “Best Of Laws” segment, as there was one section in it that I heard this morning and wanted to hear again, it featured this woman who was probably drunk going on and on and on and on and on and on about absolutely nothing, and it was hillarious, as were the comments Lawsie made.
The main reason I mention this is that I noticed last week that the people responsible for maintaining the John Laws site had delibearately destroyed the audio quality on the music in the file, which really hurt my ears and was hard to listen to. I sent an email to John asking for an explanation, and whilst I never got one (or at least I wasn’t listening to the show when he explained it, if he did at all) the audio quality had been fixed for this week, which pleased me immensely, and I just had to email Lawsie to thank him for fixing it, which I have now done.
I suppose I should have a quick count of my drinks so far today (hmmm, yesterday, I’ve been typing this for a while). I had a cup of tea at my breakfast/morning tea (yes, I had another alarm clock accident), I had a coffee at lunch, a coffee at afternoon tea, a coffee at dinner, a coffee this evening and another coffee this evening. Lunch and Afternoon tea were strong, in fact so were the home made ones, so that is 5 strong coffees, no wonder I don’t feel tired…
I really do feel like sitting here and continuing to type gibberish, but I won’t, I’ll finish this here and get some sleep…if I can! Hmmmm, I wonder if the ads are playing on 2CC tonight…must check…..
Samuel
September 2nd, 2005 at 11:56pm
As some of you may recall from a previous post, I am now working with Australian Independent Radio News.
I can now prove this allegation by the fact that I finally got around to organising a photo shoot today and I am now appearing on the “On Air Team” page.
The photo you see there is a condensation of this photo
And now, simply because I am nice, you can hear my 5PM Saturday 27th of August 2005 bulletin here.
All feedback appreciated!
Samuel
September 1st, 2005 at 10:05pm
Alrighty then, it’s time for the monthly wrap-up of the previous month’s statistics.
Of particular interest to me:
- Firefox won the month with 53.42% of the readership using it.
- The number of visitors and page views appeared to increase after the site moved to it’s current location.
- Regular Commenter John_b1_b5 was the most common search term used to get here
- Somebody who can’t spell wanted to cheat at a school assignment “simple assay about my favourite sport…”
- A bunch of people came here for Schnappi info and Kelly Underwood info
- The “Samuel Blog 2CC” searcher is still lurking in the wings (please contact me, I would love to know why you chose that search term)
- And the home page for the new site had more visitors in it’s short time online than the old site’s index page had all month, 196 to 159
You can find all of the August 2005 stats here.
Samuel
September 1st, 2005 at 08:51pm
In the circus of my life, alarm clock accidents can be minor disasters, making me late for various things, and in general, causing chaos. However after my latest alarm clock accident this morning I heard on the news that somebody else had a far worse alarm clock accident.
An air traffic controller at Canberra Airport slept in, effectively leaving Canberra Airport without an air traffic controller, and a rather worried Qantas flight circling, the pilots must have been very concerned as they wouldn’t have been able to make contact with the airport.
I would have thought that common sense tells you to have more than one air traffic controller scheduled at any given time…but this is little Canberra and I do have a category devoted to idiots…well done Canberra Airport.
Somebody from Canberra Airport did say that it was “unacceptable” and that they would make sure they had at least two air traffic controllers scheduled at any given time from now on, but it seems strange that they didn’t think of it in the first place.
Samuel
September 1st, 2005 at 07:13pm
Next Posts
