Warped Systems

Exscript 2.0

Exscript is a Python module and template processor for automating Telnet or SSH sessions. Exscript supports a wide range of features, such as parallelization, AAA authentication methods, TACACS, and a very simple template language. Please refer to the project page for updated documentation (see the links at the bottom of this announcement). New since 0.9.16 ------------------ Exscript 2.0 is without a doubt the most awesome release of Exscript ever. It is well tested and has already proven to be robust, so use in a production environment is encouraged. * Exscript's Python API has been completely overhauled and made a lot simpler. The new API is well documented [1][2]. * Countless utilities for network administrators using Python were added. For example, it is now trivial to generate reports and emails, logging is more configurable, new functions for reading and writing input and output files were added, and user interaction was simplified. * The number of dependencies was reduced t...

Embed the Konsole (Terminal) to the Desktop in KDE 4.3

Konsole is the X terminal emulator of KDE. I find having the terminal out of my way, but always open and easy to reach out to, very convenient. It also looks cool. With KDE SC 4.3 you can easily achieve this with a few clicks without the need of any additional software. Read the full thing at http://www.mygnulinux.com/?p=512

The Perils of Sudo With User Passwords

The consensus among new Unix and Linux users seems to be that sudo is more secure than using the root account, because it requires you type your password to perform potentially harmful actions. In reality, a compromised user account, which is no big deal normally, is instantly root in most setups. This sudo thinking is flawed, but sudo is actually useful for what�s it was designed for. Read the full thing at http://www.longitudetech.com/blog/linux-unix/the-perils-of-sudo-with-user-passwords/

Update on Controlling Konsole via DBUS

Recently I wrote about controlling konsole with dbus. As I've begun to use that script for setting up my konsoles I, like others, have discovered that the tab title that you set with dbus doesn't stick. This short note shows you a workaround to make your tab titles stay put. Read the full thing at http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/update-controlling-konsole-dbus

UNIX tips: Learn 10 good UNIX usage habits

When you use a system often, you tend to fall into set usage patterns. Sometimes, you do not start the habit of doing things in the best possible way. Sometimes, you even pick up bad practices that lead to clutter and clumsiness. One of the best ways to correct such inadequacies is to conscientiously pick up good habits that counteract them. This article suggests 10 UNIX command-line habits worth picking up -- good habits that help you break many common usage foibles and make you more productive at the command line in the process. Each habit is described in more detail following the list of good habits. Read the full thing at http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/aix/library/au-badunixhabits.html?ca=lnxw01GoodUnixHabits

KDE Software Compilation 4.4.0 Released

Today KDE announces the immediate availability of the KDE Software Compilation 4.4, "Caikaku", bringing an innovative collection of applications to Free Software users. Major new technologies have been introduced, including social networking and online collaboration features, a new netbook-oriented interface and infrastructural innovations such as the KAuth authentication framework. Read the full thing at http://www.kdenews.org/2010/02/09/kde-software-compilation-440-released The Mandriva Cooker mirrors have 4.4.0 up.

Mandriva Linux 2010 Spring Alpha2 available!

The time has came for second alpha release for 2010 Spring version of Mandriva Linux. It�s now available through 32 and 64 DVD isos on public mirrors Read the announcement at http://blog.mandriva.com/2010/02/06/mandriva-linux-2010-spring-alpha2-available/ Read the release notes at http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/2010.1_Alpha_2 I updated Mandriva 2010.0 straight to Cooker (using easyurpmi - http://easyurpmi.zarb.org/ ) Normal Alpha-type glitches, but otherwise fairly stable.

Web site monitoring techniques and tools

When monitoring a Web site, you need to look at it both from a 'micro' perspective (i.e. are the individual devices and servers in your infrastructure running smoothly?) and from a 'macro' perspective (i.e. do your customers have a pleasant experience when accessing and using your site?; can they use your site's functionality to conduct their business online?). You can also think about these types of monitoring as 'engineering' monitoring vs. 'business' monitoring. Read the full thing at http://agiletesting.blogspot.com/2010/02/web-site-monitoring-techniques-and.html Linked for a mention of Cacti :)

Tunnel it with SSH

SSH is a great tool and allows for more than just logging into a remote machine. SSH allows you to forward a port so TCP/IP traffic can travel safelythrough SSH. Watch it at http://fosscasts.com/screencasts/24-SSH-Tunneling-aka-port-forwarding-

Free download : GNU/Linux Advanced Administration

The GNU/Linux systems have reached an important level of maturity, allowing to integrate them in almost any kind of work environment, from a desktop PC to the sever facilities of a big company. In the module called "The GNU/Linux operating system", the main contents are related with system administration. This book is the main documentation for the module. Read the full thing at http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/131318/index.html Direct link to the Free Technology Academy (FTA): http://ftacademy.org/