...from:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1613842,00.asp
By Peter Galli
June 16, 2004
The open source Linux operating system continues to gain ground in
governmental agencies around the world, winning another two converts
this week.
The Norwegian city Bergen on Tuesday said it plans to move 100 schools
and 32,000 users away from its proprietary Unix and Microsoft Windows
applications platform to Linux by the end of this year.
And the German city Munich on Wednesday also voted resoundingly in
favor of its plan to switch to Linux from Microsoft Windows following a
closed-door city council meeting.
Bergen decided on a two-phased implementation of Novell Inc.'s SUSE
Linux Enterprise Server 8, which will impact some 50,000 users of the
city's administrative and educational networks.
The implementation will initially see the current 20 Oracle database
servers running on HP-UX, which power the City's core health and
welfare services applications, being replaced with Enterprise Server 8
running on 64-bit Itanium-based Hewlett-Packard Co. HP Integrity
servers.
The second phase of the implementation will involve the migration and
consolidation of the current Microsoft Windows application servers that
power Bergen's educational network to Enterprise Server 8 on IBM
eServer BladeCenters.
Bergen will also be able to consolidate its more than 100 Microsoft
Windows application servers to 20 IBM eServer BladeCenters running SUSE
LINUX.
The implementation is expected to be completed by year's end and
officials hope to be able to channel the resultant cost savings into
building core public services for the public, Janicke Foss, the CIO of
Bergen, said in a statement.
"The most important issue for the City of Bergen is to provide best
possible public services to our citizens through cost-effective
municipal operation. In addition to the IT-based benefits from
migration to Linux, we attain a business model that doesn't tie us to a
single vendor's solution architecture.
"By migrating to Linux, the City of Bergen has a business model that
is open and democratic, and we believe that will ensure a greater
degree of freedom of choice, more efficient operation and major cost
savings that will benefit the citizens," Foss said.
Richard Seibt, the president of Novell for the EMEA (Europe, Middle
East and Africa) region, expected more public and private sector Linux
deployments to follow. "The City of Bergen needed to do more with less
and the advantages of Linux such as lower costs and greater reliability
are clear and will certainly continue to drive Linux adoption among
enterprise and public sector organizations, he said.
Michel Teyssedre, the vice president for IBM's business development in
EMEA, said that with 32,000 students and 4,000 teachers accessing
Bergen's educational network, the city's current server environment was
not scaling with growing demand.
Rudi Schmickl, HP's vice president of enterprise storage and servers
for EMEA, added that Bergen's current database servers ran several
critical applications, so it was essential that the new solution
offered maximum uptime while being cost effective.
Meanwhile, Munich moved forward with its Linux plans on Wednesday. The
city last May decided to develop a detailed conceptual implementation
and migration plan for the move, which has been under wraps until now.
This week's vote approved that move and started the process of putting
the matter out for bids and receiving tenders, a source close to the
decision told eWEEK.
Last May, the Munich city council said it was looking to migrate its
14,000 desktop and notebook computers away from Windows products to
Linux. The city currently runs Microsoft Office, Windows 3.1, 95, 98
and NT as well as the Internet Explorer browser. The council also
planned to move to the free OpenOffice desktop productivity suite.
Walter Raizner, the country general manager for IBM Germany, said at
the time that the German public sector is embracing open
standards-based software such as Linux.
"Worldwide, more than 75 IBM government customers—including agencies
in France, Spain, UK, Australia, Mexico, the United States and
Japan—have now embraced open computing and Linux to save costs,
consolidate workloads, increase efficiency and enact e-government
transformation, Raizner said then.
Hans-Juergen Croissant, a spokesman for Microsoft in Germany, said
last year that "with respect to the Munich administration, we will
continue to work closely with them to explore additional programs and
offerings that best meet the needs of Munich's citizens and
businesses."
In addition, Linux continues to gain footholds in U.S. governmental
organizations. eWEEK reported this week that the latest stateside
governmental win for Linux is the Administrative Office of the U.S.
Courts (AOUSC), in Washington, which provides administrative support,
program management and policy development services to the federal
courts.
The agency is migrating applications from Solaris to Linux using HP's
ProLiant servers that are running Red Hat Inc.'s Enterprise Linux
Advanced Server and HP's StorageWorks tape libraries.
Hi Everyone:
Well it appears that some bored individual has written a unix shell
script, and changed the script file meta-tag and icon to make it appear
to be Microsoft Word 2004.
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/top_news_item.cfm?NewsID=8664
Some misguided individual in Europe downloaded what he thought was
MS-Word 2004 from LimeWire (a peer-to-peer file-sharing service). That
was his first mistake, as commercial applications are not legally
distributed via peer-to-peer file-sharing services. His second mistake
was double clicking on what he thought was MS-Word 2004. In actual
fact, this individual unknowingly executed a malicious unix shell
script. A shell script which most likely contained a rather innocuous
looking command like the following:
rm -dfRP ~/
For those of you unfamiliar with unix commands. The 'rm' command is
used for removing files. The "-" means use the following modifiers. In
this case the 'rm' was to use the these modifiers: "d" remove
directories, "f" do not challenge user for a 'yes/no' response to the
removal of a file or directory, "R" run this command recursively (that
is deletes every file or folder within any file or folder), and for
good measure "P" tells 'rm' to overwrite the files three times. The
"~/" means run the command on the home directory of the user running
the script. This script would recursively delete every file and folder
contained within that user's home directory without challenging the
user for a 'yes/no' response to each file or folder deleted.
If you have ever worked on a computer running DOS, this is similar to
but not as damaging as running the command, " C: *.* ".
Yep, this individual managed to very thoroughly delete their entire
home directory. While this would not affect any other user on that
computer, this particular user's account is completely unrecoverable.
Regardless of the hardware or operating system, the only thing that
will protect your personal account from this type of malicious
programming is good user practices. Consider creating yourself a user
level account. Apple refers to this type of account as a "Standard"
account. When you first start an new Mac, or after re-installing the
operating system, you will be asked to create and account. That first
account is an admin or administrator level account, which means that
account has access to other folders and files then just home directory
of that account (e.g. the Applications folder). By making yourself a
"Standard" account on your computer for your every day work, you are
providing a level of security for your system. This does not protect
your account for the script above, but it will keep the script from
running at an admin level. Thus providing protection against the
deletion of Applications and other files outside of your home
directory. If you are really concerned about this type of attack.
Consider creating another account for testing applications. If the
application is malicious, then only that test account will be impacted.
Should that happen, delete the test account and create a new one. Thus
preventing your working account, and the accounts of other users on the
system from being damaged. In addition, if you are downloading files
from the Internet make sure that you are downloading from a legitimate
website (e.g. www.versiontraker.com, www.macupdate.com,
www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/).
To keep someone from walking up to your computer and installing a
malicious script/application or engaging in destructive activity. Use
the security features of the operating system (e.g. turn off auto
log-in, specify that the user must provide a password once the screen
saver has been enabled). And if at all possible, physically secure your
computer (e.g. lock your office door ... if you have an office door).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please email me
and I will post the question and answer to the list.
Regards,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
Hello,
I just received a notice from Apple today regarding the Apple portable
promotion. Apparently all of the portables have to be the same. Given
the original information I thought that this might have been a good
promotion for our campuses, guess we'll have to wait until mid-July to
see what Apple offers in the way of back-to-school promotions.
Sorry for any buying confusion this may have caused.
Regards,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
Hi Folks,
Well its official, the next version of the Macintosh OS is version
10.4. Its development name is "Tiger" and Steve Jobs will be showing
off some of the its capabilities on June 28. He will be addressing the
attendees of the Apple World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC). Why the
name "Tiger", well according to Apple it is because "Innovation never
sleeps". Wow, you really gotta appreciate the people in Apple marketing
for that by-line (note the sarcasm).
For all the details regarding this keynote follow this link:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2004/may/04wwdc.html
There is no word as yet about a web-stream or satellite-feed of this
keynote. If Apple decides to broadcast this event, we will most likely
know only a few days before the event. However, I will email this list
as soon as I know of any broadcast details.
Regards,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
Hi Everyone:
Regarding the mild spam I sent out discussing Apple's latest portable
promotion (see original message below). I have received requests from
several of you wanting to know what models qualify under this
promotion.
They are as follows:
- Both stock versions of the 14" iBooks
(pricing starts at $1,333** -- 14" iBook 1.0GHz Combo Drive);
- and all of the PowerBooks
(pricing starts at $1947.00** -- 12" PowerBook 1.33GHz Combo Drive);
- or any custom configuration of the above listed base models.
[** Regular Higher-Ed pricing, doesn't include $125.00 savings of this
promotion.]
Regards,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
On Fri, 30 Apr 2004, Doug Hamilton wrote:
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> I apologize if I offend any of you with this mild bit of spam.
>>
>> I just received notice that Apple has a new limited time offer on bulk
>> purchases (e.g. 10 or more) of (2) different models of the new iBooks,
>> and (5) different models of the new PowerBooks.
>>
>> Now, it is highly probable that no one on this list needs ten iBooks
>> or
>> PowerBooks. That said, I am willing to start a list of interested
>> people, if we hit the minimum number (10), then we can start the
>> ordering process.
>>
>> The promotion will save you $125.00 over the regular educational price
>> for either an iBook or PowerBook with and Apple Care warranty; custom
>> configurations are allowed.
>>
>> The window of this opportunity is April 29 to June 26th of this year.
>>
>> Re-cap:
>> -Minimum collective order must be (10);
>> -Systems (iBook/PowerBook) can be custom configured;
>> -Systems must be purchased with an Apple Care warranty;
>> -You'll save $125.00 on each system.
>> -This offer is not restricted to staff, students qualify as do
>> university institutional purchases.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for your time. If you have any questions or comments, please
>> contact me.
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>> Doug
>>
>> -------------
>> Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
>> Senior Apple Computer Consultant
>> Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
>> 204-474-6196
>> 204-474-7556
>> http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
Hi Everyone:
I apologize if I offend any of you with this mild bit of spam.
I just received notice that Apple has a new limited time offer on bulk
purchases (e.g. 10 or more) of (2) different models of the new iBooks,
and (5) different models of the new PowerBooks.
Now, it is highly probable that no one on this list needs ten iBooks or
PowerBooks. That said, I am willing to start a list of interested
people, if we hit the minimum number (10), then we can start the
ordering process.
The promotion will save you $125.00 over the regular educational price
for either an iBook or PowerBook with and Apple Care warranty; custom
configurations are allowed.
The window of this opportunity is April 29 to June 26th of this year.
Re-cap:
-Minimum collective order must be (10);
-Systems (iBook/PowerBook) can be custom configured;
-Systems must be purchased with an Apple Care warranty;
-You'll save $125.00 on each system.
-This offer is not restricted to staff, students qualify as do
university institutional purchases.
Thanks for your time. If you have any questions or comments, please
contact me.
Regards,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
..from the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32480-2004Apr21?language=printer
Who Should Keep Out The Hackers?
By Jonathan Krim
Thursday, April 22, 2004; Page E01
The calm of a few months without a major attack of a computer worm, virus or
other form of cyber-harassment was rattled hard this week.
So dangerous are the latest vulnerabilities that the Department of Homeland
Security took the rare step of briefing the media yesterday, warning that quick
action by users and network operators was crucial to avoiding serious Internet
disruption.
This time the problem is with routers, the appliances that push traffic around
the Internet. Routers made by Cisco Systems Inc., which has a major share of
the market, have two separate security holes that could allow easy access for
hackers to do their worst.
It's another reminder that security threats are not likely to go away anytime
soon and of the fragility of a world whose technology is so intertwined that a
breach in one place can be exploited to bring down thousands or millions of
systems around the world.
All of which makes recent recommendations in a report by an industry task force
unusual and worthy of close attention. In effect, the group is saying: Tech
providers, heal thyselves and make safer products.
That's a significant change for a technology industry that has spent
considerable public-relations resources talking mostly about the need for
better educating users and going after the bad guys.
But the report, issued Monday, pulls few punches.
"The lack of 'out-of-the-box' security in many products is staggering," the
authors state. By not having software that is set to be secure from the
start, "vendors are placing the entire burden of securing products on their
users."
[...]
For many security experts and an increasingly concerned Congress, the question
is, "What happens now"?
The celebrated public-private partnership was created expressly with the hope
of avoiding the need for regulation. As a result, none of the task forces
recommended government intervention. But there is no single entity responsible
for driving adoption of the numerous ideas.
The Department of Homeland Security officials say they are not responsible for
riding herd on industry. The technology trade associations leading the
corporate side want the agency to use its bully pulpit to improve education but
have been careful not to urge federal action directed at their own industries.
In the meantime, worms and viruses are becoming so commonplace that they are
losing their luster as news stories.
But they continue to cost companies and ordinary consumers millions of dollars
a year.
-------------------------------------------------
This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/
..from:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-5198152.html
Who shot SCO?
By Rupert Goodwins
ZDNet (UK)
April 23, 2004, 5:55 AM PT
COMMENTARY--There's been nothing like it since Dallas hit our screens quarter
of a century ago. Colorful characters, plot twists and suspense? Check. Good
versus evil, powerful men versus noble innocents, billions of dollars in the
balance? Yep.
We even have judges, guns and mysterious briefcases: as pure drama, l'affaire
SCO cannot be faulted. Yet there may be a bigger surprise at the end than
anyone guessed.
Whoever's writing the script threw in a doozie last week: Daddy wants his money
back--or does he? Baystar, the group of capitalists that on Microsoft's tip-off
gave SCO $20 million to establish control over Linux, publicly said that it
wanted out (see below for more details). And then it shut up.
That statement alone was a crippling blow to SCO, whose share price promptly
shed nearly half its value. If one of the two major backers for the expedition
thinks the game is up, why would judges, juries, investors and customers think
any different? SCO's reaction was typically loud, self-pitying and blisteringly
ironic--Baystar hasn't told us what the problem is exactly, it said. And if we
don't know the details, how can we respond? For a company that has consistently
fought to avoid revealing any substantive details of its own legal claims, this
is rich stuff indeed.
[...]
-----------------------------------
..from:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5197398.html?tag=nl
BayStar: SCO needs new management
By Stephen Shankland
CNET News.com
April 21, 2004, 9:00 PM PT
Add your opinion
Forward in Format for Sign up for
After nearly a week of silence, BayStar Capital said Wednesday its move to
retrieve a $20 million investment in SCO Group is part of an effort to induce
major changes at the Linux litigator--including new senior management and a
withdrawal from the Unix product business.
BayStar, whose funding in October was paired with another $30 million from the
Royal Bank of Canada, said it hasn't been happy with SCO's response to requests
it has made in recent months. BayStar has invested in about 400 companies over
the years, but only with SCO has it resorted to a request to have its shares
redeemed.
SCO contends that the increasingly popular Linux operating system infringes its
Unix intellectual property, an argument that is central to its lawsuits against
IBM and AutoZone and that is supported by BayStar. But to make SCO's case
stick, the company needs to change its management, focus on its legal case and
communicate in a more "sensible, businesslike fashion," BayStar spokesman Bob
McGrath said.
"We think they need to strengthen the senior team to get people with experience
and background in the legal issues," McGrath said. If SCO addresses BayStar's
concerns, McGrath added, the investor is open to reversing its redemption
request.
[...]
-------------------------------------------------
This mail sent through IMP: http://horde.org/imp/
Does anyone have a 5.25" Magneto Optical (MO) drive that still works? I
have a colleague that needs to get some data off an MO old disk.
Thanks,
Doug
-------------
Doug Hamilton, BA, MA, APP
Senior Apple Computer Consultant
Computers-on-Campus; Univ. of Manitoba
204-474-6196
204-474-7556
http://www.umanitoba.ca/bookstore/
