Recommended links

I think I've mentioned before that I enjoy reading on the net.  I read blogs, news, random articles, smut fiction, fiction, non-fiction, wikipedia... Basically, if I have some spare time, I spend it reading.

Today I found some very interesting articles, and if you don't mind, I'd like to share them. ^_^


Major Canadian artists reject suing fans and crippling CDs.  This is great! Finally, finally finally!  There was another article that bore a certain relation to this one and it basically pointed out that the best anti-piracy tactic is lowering prices.  Now... I know this is easier said than done, and for the most part the rich tycoons running the business will not cut down on their earnings.  They will fire workers (eg: engineers, technical staff, etc.) and pay less to the artists in order to achieve this goal.  This is why it is important for artists and music industry workers to unite and fight back.
It is also important for the rest of us to support actions like the one in the article I linked.

On a different topic,

A very interesting (and serious) article on the importance of fan-fiction, and why disregarding it might not be the smartest move. 
I know several of you read and write fanfiction compulsively often.  And I thought I'd share this interesting article. ^_^

And... for those of you wishing to be published, here is another link concerning the book publishing industry and how books get from the author's hard drive to the bookstore shelf.  I've saved it to my memories too, I think it's quite interesting and insightful (the person writing it works for a publishing company).   Be sure to check the comments and the answers given to many questions. ^_^  I hope it's useful to the many talented authors in my friends list.

Last, but not least, for the kitten-obsessed among you, here's a link for you to rejoice:  Kitten-Picture. ^_^  (check out the "kitten impossible" picture. XDD)

Joan Miro's tribute

How stupid is this?

Very stupid, imho.

Bookmarks!

I just want to (for the umpteenth time, perhaps) recommend an internet service that you might find of use:
del.icio.us

I know the name sounds like something cooking-related, but no! It's bookmarks.  Social bookmarks.  (that thing IE users call "favorites"... a word that should only be used to tag male slaves.)

Recently, a good friend found herself losing a bunch of her bookmarks by accident, and I was reminded of what a fine service del.icio.us provides.

del.icio.us is like... portable bookmarks.  You store bookmarks in there and they are available to you from any computer.
Of course, these bookmarks are public, so don't go posting anything too private there, as others will also see it.
But for the rest of the stuff (especially if you want to check something at home that you bookmarked at the office) it's priceless.

=]
Be sure to give it a look.

If you want to check my portable bookmarks, they are here.  Signing up is free and if you use firefox you can get the del.icio.us extension that adds a button to your navigation bar allowing you to tag and save stuff to your del.icio.us account with just one click.  It's really simple, and as usual, if you feel like using it but have questions, don't hesitate to ask me. =] 

I've chosen to share my bookmarks openly (hence why they are linked in my journal's layout) but you might choose not to.  It's up to you. ^_~

iPod on GNU/Linux

A very dear friend sent me an iPod nano as a present.  (His motivations will remain undisclosed. =P)
As I've mentioned quite often, my beautiful compie runs a beautiful operating system:  GNU/Linux.
GNU/Linux is wonderful because it's FREE (as in freedom), which means you get to tweak things you wouldn't be able to tweak with proprietary software.

Lots of people seem to believe you cannot use your iPod with GNU/Linux. I've found this to be completely false, and for that reason I'll explain here how I've gotten my iPod to work under the OS that I love.

So, basic stats of what I'm running:
Computer Architecture:  PC, intel P4 processor
iPod:  iPod Nano 1Gig (smallish and cutish and black)
Operating System/s:  GNU/Linux
Distro: Debian (etch)  (has a bad rep, but it's not as complicated as people make it look)
Kernel: 2.6.11-2-686

Stuff that your kernel needs to have:  hfs support (hfsplus)  Unless you have a windows iPod, in which case you need to be able to read vfat (which all distros do).  I'll explain later on.

Earlier kernels (2.4 family) will need to enable hfs.

Stuff you will need to download and install:  gtkpod  (I haven't been very lucky using Amarok to copy music to my iPod. Maybe that is because I am missing some step in the configuration.
Stuff you will need to read:  This.

Now let's proceed.

1.  Plug in your iPod to your computer using the usb cord.
2. Wait until it gets automagically mounted.
3. Let it charge until the battery icon is full.
4. Open gtkpod  (go to your console of choice and type "gtkpod".  -minus the quotation marks-) (yes, that's how complicated it is to run applications from console.) Go to edit ->Preferences and specify your mount point.

You will notice that two removable devices are detected.  In my case, they were named sda1 and sda2.
This is because the iPod drive is partitioned.  sda1 (in my example) is smaller and contains the iPod firmware.  (I don't like firmware, I believe in freedom... I'll try my claws at GNUpod for this reason, but I'll do so later.)  The other partition will be sda2, and that's where the iPod stores your data.
Mount the sda2 partition only.  You don't need to touch the other partition.

Note:  If you have root access, you could especify the mount point, but I'd rather not, since I use other usb gadgets and it could get messed up. Besides, that's why autodetection of the filesystem is there. Duh.

If this is the first time you run your ipod nano, the default filesystem is mac's hfs.  If you want to be able to use it with Linux and Windows, you might want to follow the instructions in the link I provided above, and format it into vfat.
If you want to be able to use it with Linux and Mac, do no formatting and keep reading.
If you want it to use GNUpod... wait until I post again. >]

Your brand-new, pristine, virgin iPod doesn't have an iTunesDB file.  You will need to create one.
In order to create one, click the last button on your right, the one that reads something like sync to iPod or just sync.
It will warn you that the world will come to an end if you do this.  Ignore it. (who cares about the world, anyway?)  None of that will happen, and you'll get a new and blank iTunesDB file.

Now, this is where all the fun begins.
Import your media folders from your hard drive.
All files will be checked.  Uncheck those you don't want to transfer or create a new playlist (New Playlist button) and drag and drop the files you want to transfer into it.
Once you are done, click the sync button again.
Again, it will warn you that you are a horrible creature from hell that will bring the world to an end and destroy your iPod.  Ignore it.  Go ahead, nothing bad will happen.
Once it is done, close gtkpod.
Unmount (safely remove) the mounted partition (in this case sda2).
Unplug the iPod from your computer.
Enjoy.

If you want to append files to your iPod...

Plug it in using the usb cord, wait until the device is shown among the available devices (a few seconds wait) and mount the largest partition.

1. Open gtkpod (I already told you how to do this.)
2. Click the read database button (leftmost)
3. Once the database is loaded, drag and drop items to the playlist.
4. Sync.  (the button that reads "sync" actually syncs.)
5. Once it's done, unmount the iPod partition.
6. Unplug iPod.
7. Enjoy.


You could, of course, do all this from the console using the mount and umount commands, but I'm going for the eye-candied way here because I know people like eye-candy. ^_~


Well, enjoy yourselves.  I'll go have something to drink while listening to Chopin on my iPod as soon as I've clicked "publish post" and finished my cigarette.

Ahh... sexy.

I know what you spammed last summer

I'm putting this here just in case any of you finds it useful (and for personal reference). 
I think those using WiFi might want to take a look at it, since WiFi'ers seem to be a little bit more at risk (not that the rest of us aren't).

When you are using WiFi, encryption is very necessary, otherwise anyone could be using your network, getting into your comp, spying what you are doing, obtaining sensitive data about you and possibly commit some crime against you or in your name.

Gmail encrypts your login, but the rest of the e-mail transactions are not encrypted.  Unless...

Unless you do this.  Don't let the word "Linux" in the page title fool you; this is a very easy trick that anyone can do, even windows users.

More evil from Sony

More evil from Sony.  Yes, again.

Browsers

Microsoft Internet Explorer's Extremely Critical Vulnerability.  This vulnerability, which remains unpatched, has been discovered about six months ago. (And remains unpatched).  It compromises the security of an otherwise fully-patched windows xp with sp2 system. (meaning, even if you have a fully patched system, you are still vulnerable)

On the other hand, Firefox 1.5 is here, and Opera has also upgraded.

Windows vs. GNU/Linux

(from slashdot.org.  I'm quoting this because it's priceless.  you should all read it.  now.)

Let's assume, that by some miracle, some subcontractor, ShitSoft (MS) manages to break a deal to sell shit (Windows) for food (OS) for McDonalds (IBM) customers for their fastfood restaurants (PC) sometime in the late 80ies so ShitSoft gains monopoly on fastfood restaurants and thus the food market.

There are 12'000 people involved in devising the best methods to fling shit at the customers, to feed them with shit, to serve shit in the most appetizing way.

Because people don't know anything better, people buy ShitSoft's "product". ShitSoft must be producing a huge market many hungry people rely on, right?

ShitSoft is a nice friendly company, so it donates less than 1% of its profits to help combat diseases, so this is why we should keep eating shit.

Also, ShitSoft also has around 12'000 employees, whom are contractually obliged to eat shit.

ShitSoft has been on the top for a while, they clearly created a product that everyone LIKES, because they don't know any better. That product has created jobs for millions of food specialists, contractors and plastic cutlery producers. (Because they would be totally out of their jobs if people would eat something different, right?)

But as in every fairy tale the bad, ugly guy appeared: community owned greenhouses started producing quality vegetables. They gave it away the plans of building such greenhouses and the seeds for the vegetables, only asking to share them with everyone who wants those plans and seeds.

ShitSoft had to do something: they started their "Get the feces" campaign, where they involved several independent researchers, with only a few million shares from ShitSoft or being a board member at ShitSoft. Those researchers claimed that everyone who uses community owned greenhouses must be a communist for not supporting Real hard working American produced quality branded shit wrapped in nice shiny package, but preferred vegetables. They explained that shit has a much lower Total Caloric Overall, than vegetables and that ShitSoft's shit is produced by a trustable american corporation while the vegetables are clearly on the way to ruin the american economy.

The campaign is still undecided to be effective or not, but let's not forget another issue: ShitSoft's product created a huge industry to modify some of the product's erm, "features". Some customers wanted to decrease the value of the quality shit (no idea why would they want to do that), by buying products from third party companies to make shit lose it's smell and taste, and to drive away the flies. Can you not see how ShitSoft helps the economy?

There have been certain allegations before, that ShitSoft's product is not adequate for human consumption. Such a nonsense! It is a shame that we can't disprove that since ShitSoft's End User Shit Agreement specifically forbids the analysis of their latest, "eXPerience the Shit" product and all former versions. Some people slandered ShitSoft before by claiming that shit causes diarrhea and infections and that generally everyone just should refrain from eating shit, but ShitSoft dismissed such scandalous claims.

Be patriotic, support ShitSoft, down with vegetables!


(Link here)

Internet Explorer's serious vulnerability

"A remote IE exploit with implementations is currently in the wild. From the article: 'Exploit code for a critical flaw in fully patched versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser has been released on the Internet, putting millions of Web surfers at risk of computer hijack attacks.' Aparently all you have to do is browse the page to be affected. There is no patch, but since it is a JavaScript exploit, you can work around it by disabling JavaScript."

source: slashdot.org


"But... Michelle! I only surf the net and check e-mail! That is not going to happen to me!"

Yeah, yeah, sure.  These people also thought it couldn't happen to them.

Sony has a rootkit

I have been absent recently due to personal reasons.
I want to thank everyone who has sent me words of courage and support. I will not discuss my personal life here, though, since that is not the purpose of this blog. Nonetheless, I wish to thank everyone who has sent their condolences.

In other news, by now I guess you might have already read this.  Last week (before I randomly crashed aKregator) it was the "talk of the week" on Ars Technica and other tech-related sites. 
To be honest, I am not surprised.  $ony and Micro$oft are the two toughest DRM pushing companies (not to say that other companies are not "into" DRM.  I know Apple likes the idea too) I think (and this is my personal opinion) the reason why Micro$oft is rather pissed at $ony, aside from the fact that their rootkit exposes just how easy it is to breach Windows security and easily turn any Windows computer into a zombie (well... in case someone was absent-minded enough not to know it yet), is because $ony implemented this rootkit BEFORE M$ did it themselves and established a way "to do" DRM and tried to file even more patents on protocols et al and forced every media-related company to pay them for those patents, etc.  You know how this story goes.
Loosely quoting the Simpsons, "(Bill Gates) didn't get rich by signing checks."
Additionally, about the AIM bots.  I've deleted them the moment AOL took the liberty of adding them to my buddy list for me.
I am not surprised Microsoft intends to buy AOL, because this sounds like domino effect:
Yahoo! and Google are on frank and open war.  Microsoft and Google are on frank and open war. (I used to have a prettier link than the that one, but I can't find it) Yahoo! wants AOL's userbase (which they couldn't get).  Microsoft and Yahoo! are getting friendly with each other.  Well... grab your bag of popcorn and watch how they either tear each other's eyes out or team up and dominate the world and make us all their slaves. =/
Here it is!  Hehehe.

AIM worm on the loose

"According to a recent article on C|Net a new worm is swiftly spreading via AIM to many computers. It delivers a brutal root-kit which bypasses security software and takes control of a PC." From the article: "The worm was spotted in an AOL IM chatroom and infected one of the PCs that FaceTime uses for worm bait. The company said it also has seen the pest hit other computers. 'It is still out there, and it is definitely something the user should be leery of ... The rootkit is designed to not be detected, and that is the scary part.'"

(from slashdot)

GNU/Linux style Halloween

"In a cool contest with a Halloween theme, BitDefender is inviting Linux enthusiasts to crash test their upcoming antivirus solution for Linux e-mail servers. The most thorough beta tester will receive 1,000 German beers and a trip to BitDefender's corporate headquarters in Romania, where they will attend meetings with Count Dracula, the BitDefender development team and other local luminaries."

Awww... I wish I had enough resources to participate.  I want to go meet Count Dracula.

Article here.

In similarly themed news; TEH Halloween Computer is here. and it totally pwns you.

MySpace security flaw

Read this if you are using myspace.

Personally, I find myspace to be highly annoying, but then again, that is just my personal point of view.

Lockout

name lockout
version 0.2.3-2
group misc
size 100000
file-size 12862
description
A self-imposed discipline and productivity enforcer Lockout is a tool that imposes discipline on you so that you get some work done. For example, lockout can be used to install a firewall that does not let you browse the Web. Lockout changes the root password for a specified duration; this prevents you from secretly ripping down the firewall and then browsing the Web anyway. In case of an emergency, you can reboot your computer to undo the effects of lockout and to restore the original root password. See also http://thomer.com/lockout/


Well, I think I might need to install this. ._. Sadly.

despicable spammers

I will have to do something about spammy commenters. =/

Off the record

A dear friend pointed me to this fine plugin and I want to share it with you.
Enter OTR. Off the Record messaging. This plugin aims to protect your privacy, making sure no traces of your conversation are left on your computer.

Quoting from the site:

Off-the-Record (OTR) Messaging allows you to have private conversations over instant messaging by providing:

Encryption
No one else can read your instant messages.
Authentication
You are assured the correspondent is who you think it is.
Deniability
The messages you send do not have digital signatures that are checkable by a third party. Anyone can forge messages after a conversation to make them look like they came from you. However, during a conversation, your correspondent is assured the messages he sees are authentic and unmodified.
Perfect forward secrecy
If you lose control of your private keys, no previous conversation is compromised.

The plugin is available for GNU/Linux (several distributions), Windows and OSX users using gaim and Adium (and Trillian, I think.)
For Debian, I just did apt-get install otr-gaim and it was fetched from the repositories and installed without a glitch.

This is a very fine tool for those concerned with their privacy, especially if you are sharing a computer (ex, work environment).


Update: October 13th:
Newsforge is running a very nice article about this plugin and general privacy in IM's. Don't miss it.

Microsoft does it again

From NewsForge.

Bill Gates' Microsoft caught in a bald-faced lie about HD DVD-ROM discs.

As a commenter duely noted, Microsoft spreading FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt) and providing inferior solutions is not really news. What I find fascinating is that people continue to use a product made by a company that blatantly lies to their faces.
If it was any other kind of product, people would switch.

I guess the reigning ignorance of the average Joe User has a lot to do with this. Most people not only do not know they are being lied to, they additionally do not know they have options outside of Microsoft.

This is why people need to be educated about freedom and taught about their options.

Spread Firefox.com under attack again.

The Spread Firefox Team became aware this week that the server hosting
Spread Firefox, our community marketing site, has been accessed by
unknown remote attackers who attempted to exploit a security
vulnerability in TWiki software installed on the server. The TWiki
software was disabled as soon as we were aware of the attempts to
access
SpreadFirefox.com. This exploit was limited to SpreadFirefox.com and
did not affect mozilla.org web sites or Mozilla software.

We have scanned Spread Firefox servers and at this time do not believe
any sensitive data was taken, but as a precautionary measure we have
shutdown the site and will be rebuilding the web site from scratch. We
also recommend that you change your Spread Firefox password and the
password of any accounts where you use the same password as your Spread
Firefox account. We will notify you again when the site is back up
with
instructions on how to change your password. (Note: We do use MD5
hashing on the passwords, but MD5 cannot protect all passwords against
off-line dictionary style attacks.)

After Spread Firefox was compromised in July, we instituted procedures
to ensure that we apply all security fixes to the software running the
site (Drupal and PHP) as soon as they become available. Unfortunately,
those procedures overlooked the installation of the TWiki software
since
it is not used by the main Spread Firefox site. When the system is
rebuilt, all the software will be audited to ensure that security
updates will be applied in a timely manner. We deeply regret this
incident and any inconvenience this may have caused you. Sincerely,

Spread Firefox Team
Mozilla Foundation

Opera Browser is now ad-free

The Opera browser has been released free of advertising. (article from arstechnica.)
Last month they were giving free registrations, and it seems the idea was fruitful, as we are now presented with an ad-free browser.

Still no news about opening up its code, though.
But this is a good step. Opera is my second choice browser, and I like it a lot.

Macs and Open Source

Happy equinox everyone.

Newsforge is running a very interesting article about running open source applications on Mac's that every Mac user should check out.