I don’t believe that security through obscurity is ideal or ultimately effective. I don’t believe it’s a generally good security approach. Nevertheless, it is not often the same as no security at all. Security through obscurity can have its place. A few years ago, when it was brought to light that the newest (at the… Continue reading The effectiveness of “security through obscurity”
Category: Ubuntu
How to reset a Windows password with Ubuntu
If you ever have forgotten your password for the only administrative account on Windows or know someone who has, you know the experience can be infuriating. All is not lost, though, if you have a live CD handy. This page is an adaption of Reset a Windows password with Knoppix for Ubuntu. It has also… Continue reading How to reset a Windows password with Ubuntu
The Linux community’s mixed messages
I’m a long-term (three-year) forum member at the Ubuntu Forums. I’m also a moderator there. I realize that in any online community, even one built around a common interest, there will be a diversity of members and a diversity of opinions. Nevertheless, there is a problem with mixed messages in the Linux community. I’ve seen… Continue reading The Linux community’s mixed messages
Why I finally embraced computer literacy
Computer illiteracy It’s very likely that you know someone who self-identifies as “computer illiterate.” That person may even be proud of being so. I was once one of these people. I was one of these people for a long time. In fact, I was quite offended when my Latin teacher in high school thought I… Continue reading Why I finally embraced computer literacy
Sometimes Linux users crack me up
Hey, I’m a Linux user and have been for over three years. I love the community. They’re helpful and giving. They’re often idealistic. Sometimes, though, they’re a little bit crazy. Recently, Best Buy has started stocking boxed versions of Ubuntu in many of their stores. When news of this hit the Ubuntu Forums, there were… Continue reading Sometimes Linux users crack me up
Privacy on the internet doesn’t exist
As a follow-up to my post of four years ago, “Gmail and Privacy,” I’d like to say something about some of the reactions to Google being asked to hand over YouTube user data to Viacom by an American judge. First of all, I don’t see that Google did anything wrong here. Viacom may have done… Continue reading Privacy on the internet doesn’t exist
Does Ubuntu need antivirus?
This is a very common question that comes up on the Ubuntu Forums from new users migrating from Windows. The answer, of course, is “No, Ubuntu doesn’t need antivirus.” Linux (and sometimes Mac) users often get accused of being smug or complacent for saying they don’t need antivirus, so I think I have to clarify… Continue reading Does Ubuntu need antivirus?
Fanboy isn’t just a generic insult. It means something.
Warning, for those who know me in person: This is an extremely geeky post. Proceed with caution. Just as forum users will sometimes fling the label troll against anyone who argues with them, many forum users (particularly in computer-related discussions) will throw around the term fanboy without making the term meaningful. Most of the time,… Continue reading Fanboy isn’t just a generic insult. It means something.
Explaining Linux lingo to non-Linux users
The other day, I was trying to explain to my wife why I wanted to install Ubuntu on my Eee PC in place of Xandros. She is not tech-stupid. She’s quite tech-savvy actually. She just isn’t that Linux-savvy. I found myself spewing out a whole bunch of words I knew she wouldn’t understand. Why would… Continue reading Explaining Linux lingo to non-Linux users
Firefox 3 Download Day: Good Publicity Stunt
Unless you keep up with tech news, you may have missed it, but this past Tuesday was “download day,” in which Mozilla was hoping to set a world record for downloads by encouraging its users to download Firefox 3 on its release day. I don’t think there was actually a previously held world record, and… Continue reading Firefox 3 Download Day: Good Publicity Stunt