Geek Stuff category archive
Geeking Out 0
Virtual Machine of Fedora 27 running the Trinity Desktop under VirtualBox on Slackware –Current.
The Snaring Economy 0
The EU rules that Uber is gypsy cabs with an app. Uber had tried to argue that it was an app with gypsy cabs.
(snip)
Uber had denied it was a transport company, arguing instead it was a computer services business with operations that should be subject to an EU directive governing e-commerce and prohibiting restrictions on the establishment of such organisations.
Facebook Frolics 0
Germany suggests the Facebook is being intrusive. I’m shocked, shocked, I say.
“We are mostly concerned about the collection of data outside Facebook’s social network and the merging of this data into a user’s Facebook account,” said Bundeskartellamt president Andreas Mundt.
He noted that this data gathering “even happens when, for example, a user does not press a ‘like button’ but has called up a site into which such a button is embedded.” Visiting a webpage with a Facebook ‘like’ button on it phones homes some info about the netizen to the Mark-Zuckerberg-run business, in other words.
Facebook Frolics 0
In case you ever wondered why I seldom use Facebook and why, when I do, I do so only in “private” or “incognito” mode, the reason is quite simple.
The Zuckerborg makes the NSA look like amateurs.
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. Learn how to use GNU/Linux and its plethora of free and open source software to get stuff done with computers.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
When: Monthly TWUUG meeting at 7:30 p. m. on the first Thursday of the month (December 7, 2017). Pre-meeting dinner at Chicago Uno, JANAF shopping center, 6:00 p. m. (map)
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room (map). (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
Geeking Out 0
Virtual Machines of Windows 7 (licensed and activated) and Devuan Jessie with the MATE (that’s “Mah-teh,” not “mate”) desktop environment running in VirtualBox on Slackware 14.2 using the KDE desktop environment.
Geeking Out 0
Listening to KCEA with QMMP skinned with a Winamp skin on Slackware Linux v. 14.2 with the KDE Deaktop Environment running Xclock and the Gkrellm system monitor whule reading a Nero Wolfe mystery.
I think the hot springs in the wallpaper are in Yellowstone; I visited Yellowstone once a long time ago.
Firefox 57 First Look 0
Firefox 57 came in an upgrade to Slackware –Current today. I have not tested it extensively, but here are my first impressions.
I did not put a stopwatch on it, but it is indeed noticeably, even significantly faster.
It left my privacy settings intact (such as no third party cookies, delete history on exit). It also left my preferred search engine (Startpage) still set as default.
It did not touch my bookmarks or any of the appearance themes I’ve installed.
It did break my extensions, but there are already a number of compatible extensions available. I found substitutes for what I consider my most important plugins (classic NoScript and speed dial). I’m still looking for a proper user agent changer plugin. If classic NoScript becomes available for it, I’ll probably go back to that.
It came with an activated “Gnome Shell Integration” plugin, which I turned off.
It also synced, following my existing sync settings. (That’s I how ended up with two script blockers on Firefox 52 on the laptop–I disabled classic NoScript and went with the new one).
So far v. 57 looks like a nice piece of work.
Geeking Out 0
Running Windows 7 in VirtualBox in seamless mode on Slackware –Current under the KDE desktop environment.
Just the Equifax, Sir 0
Bruce Schneier has posted his written testimony to Congress about the Equifax breach to his blog. Here’s a bit:
2. Equifax was solely at fault.
This was not a sophisticated attack. The security breach was a result of a vulnerability in the software for their websites: a program called Apache Struts. The particular vulnerability was fixed by Apache in a security patch that was made available on March 6, 2017. This was not a minor vulnerability; the computer press at the time called it “critical.” Within days, it was being used by attackers to break into web servers. Equifax was notified by Apache, US CERT, and the Department of Homeland Security about the vulnerability, and was provided instructions to make the fix.
Two months later, Equifax had still failed to patch its systems. It eventually got around to it on July 29. The attackers used the vulnerability to access the company’s databases and steal consumer information on May 13, over two months after Equifax should have patched the vulnerability.
404 0
Tom Lawrence explains what happened to your Comcast internet connection yesterday.
You can hear more from Tom on the Sunday Morning Linux Review.