Everyone's gotta deal with 'Change'!! Nothing new about it, but when one deliberately thinks about it, one gets startled a bit. 'Change' - a small word, but with big implications!!!! Even beauty queens quote and acknowledge 'change', most famously, 'The only thing constant is change'  Sometimes it is essential to change even if is just for change's sake! Some change is easy; but more often than not it is difficult. But there is no getting away from change. And we have to deal with it - make it work for us. I am at a stage in life where I have to deal with ‘Change’ - lots of it. Change view growing children, changing friends, changing health, a job promotion and changing job-profile. Most importantly, and most stressful, changes brought about view growing expectations from not only others, but also self!!!! And can't help but remember the famous school days learnt quote "God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me."

Came across this excellent inspirational video which is a must see. Sharing with you all.

Linux booting problems - 'GRUB' recovery

This is for the 'Linux Advanced Users'. It is based on a requirement of a friend (Mickey - hands up!! - and for many others who have faced similar problems and taken help!!) to recover his messed up booting disk, luckily on Linux, ostensibly due to inadvertent power supply switching off problems!!

Intro: When your system boots up, post the BIOS, a small software/program in the hard-disks boot sector loads up to 'pull' in your Operating System basic core (kernel) into the RAM , which in-turn loads other parts of the OS (putting this rather simplistically although its a pretty hard-working/complex process!!!). The initial 'small software/program' is called the boot loader. 

A boot loader, also called a boot manager, is a small program that places the operating system (OS) of a computer into memory.

If there are multiple Operating Systems in your system, the boot-loader presents you a menu, from where you choose which OS to load. For example, in a multi-boot system, if you have, say, 'Windows 7', 'Ununtu Karmic Kola' and 'Mint Gloria', the boot loader will initially show you a simple menu asking you to choose which one to use for the session.

Windows has its own proprietary boot-loader (not discussed here!!). Linux has many boot loaders that a user can choose from, and generally two are offered by the Linux distributions - LILO (Linux Loader) and GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader).

From experience, I have seen (don't worry! doesn't happen enough times! :-) ) that in case there is a power supply interruption, or improper shut-down, the sectors where the GRUB is written (boot sectors et la) do act up (generally of older/much-used hard disks!!). This will result in you being faced with GRUB menu screen that would have run partially (called 'stages') and you may not get to the part of the 'Operating System' choice screen!! It will be panic time, and rightly so as most users are not expected to handle 'boot loaders' acting funny!! In the Windows world - you get some kernel panic messages like NTLDR not found etc etc., obiviously followed by a 'blue screen of death' with lots of cryptic alphabets, words and numbers in white font - and you have no option but to reformat the disk!!!


In the Linux world, you can recover from this scenerio!! Will mention about the widely used GRUB boot loader recovery (and also because my friend 'Mickey' is stuck up with a funny GRUB!!). There are a few many ways to do it, but let me mention the the most widely used ones (this is standard procedures for most Linux Admin - but can be done by a general user too, as very logical sequence of steps!!).

1. Boot from a Linux Live CD (any one would do like Knoppix, Ubuntu etc.). You can get an extensive list of Linux Live CDs from here.

2. Open a 'Terminal' (its that command line, friend!! Generally found in the 'Accessories' menu item).

3. Check if its a 'root' login (prompt will have a #) else, just type 'su' at the dollar prompt ($). Most live CDs give you a 'root terminal' - check this out.

5. At the root prompt (important to be in the root prompt - signified by a #), type 'grub'. This will take you to a GRUB prompt.

6. At the grub prompt, type 'find /boot/grub/stage1' (without quotes of course!!). You'll get a response like '(hd0)'. In my case I got (hd0,1). You have to next use whatever response shown.

7. From whatever response you got above, at the grub prompt, now type 'root (hd0,1)'.

8. Follow this up by typing 'setup (hd0,1)' at the grub prompt.

9. Thats it - your GRUB is restored - just type 'quit', and reboot the system, making sure you have removed your Live CD from the CD-Drive.

Simple isn't it?? :-) Enjoy

Give Linux a try - a few Gems

A lot of friends and colleagues have been enthused to use GNU/Linux (especially Ubuntu and Mandriva distributions!!), post some encouragement and hand holding by me and few of my Open Source advocate friends. I do try to explain to the new converts the pros and cons of using Linux, and though most of the time I feel I am able to drive home the point, I needed some 'Gems' sentences/views that would appropirately address my following views:-

• Don't dump Windows!! Its good to know at least one other Operating System other than just 'Windows'. Let that other OS be Linux.
  
• Don't dismiss Linux without trying it for sometime patiently
  
• Take some time (at least a week!!) to learn Linux as you have spent a lifetime learning Windows - just to be fair to Linux
  

I came across an excellent article on Linux and Windows, which I thought I should share.  I feel this article is very eloquent and rightly captures the essence of the Windows vs Linux debate. Based on my experience, one of the major factor of many users being dis-illusioned with Linux  post loading/installing Linux is they they find that they cannot play their Movies(AVI/MPG files) or MP3s right away (nor watch YouTube videos on the web right away view Flash issues!!). Of course this can be easily sorted out (in a jiffy!!) on Linux with a few clicks of the button. This article explains the solution to this dilemma lucidly.

I have compiled some of the beautiful 'gems' that the author has expressed which are so apt and relevant. Please have patience and go through them, ponder on them.

Due credit to the author for an excellent article:
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/codecs.html

The Gems or Take aways that I have gleaned and compiled from the article are as under mentioned

• Windows or Linux, it does not matter. Both offer the same thing, wrapped in different shapes and colors. When it comes to what you need, you'll have it regardless which kernel you boot on your machine.
• Unfortunately, lack of familiarity and difficulty translates into one and the same thing for most people. Usually, this means a big, fat accusing finger is pointed at Linux as being a dreadful toy of geeks with its hideous command line.
• Habits make us vulnerable. The more used we get to something the harder for us it is to adapt to new ideas. Habits are the exact opposite of evolution. They force us to do the same things all over, even if they are outdated, inefficient and plain wrong.
• Don't let your habits slow you down. Open your mind. Most importantly, do not use ignorance as a weapon to trash unfamiliar knowledge. Linux is definitely hard. I will never dispute that. But it's no more or less difficult than Windows. As it happens, Windows was there first to set the visual rules how things out to be.
• Windows, Linux, it does not matter. Forget what you know. Shed your filthy habits away and become a toddler, learning the world anew. Without preconceptions, without social pressure and without the monkey effect dragging you down. Become a child, become a sponge and just suck all that new, exciting knowledge in.
• Running operating systems is very much like walking. Once you get used to them, it becomes natural. And switching to a whole new one is a big trauma.
• Forget the Start button in the left bottom corner, forget the old ways. With the slate clean, learning Linux will be the same as Windows, probably more fun. Remember how you used to get angry and frustrated when you tried Windows 95 for the first time and nothing was really how you expected it to be?
• Software is hard. Think about it! It's developed by people who eat their own toenail clippings! What do you expect from people who spend their entire life staring at long lines of code. Do you honestly think they can possibly understand what someone with an IQ of a banana needs? Or how they think?
• People using Windows think Windows is easy because this is what they know. They have grown used to it. They have developed habits. They know where to click. Most users have no idea what they're doing, but mimicking actions is one of the major human trades, the ability to learn and adapt.
• All operating systems are equally hard - or simple, depends on how you look at it.
• Operating systems are not easy. But even monkeys will learn to operate a keyboard after a sufficient amount of random hammering against the plastic knobs.
• The key is in the knowledge. And if you have the ability to perform an educated research of your needs and find the right solution, then the use of operating systems is completely transparent and comes to personal preference and maybe a few necessities. But in general, it won't make any difference. Any which OS goes. 
• Installing codecs on Linux is terribly simple - and safe. It's definitely far easier than doing this on Windows, to say nothing of safety and quality. You do not entrust your operating system to unknown, untested software you download from the Web. You use thoroughly tested software from the official installation sources.
• While Windows ships with just one media player available for users, Linux distributions offers tens of great products, some installed, others available in the repositories.
  

(above from : http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/codecs.html)

White House adopts Open Source

This is a Eureka moment for Open Source advocates like me. The White House official website http://www.whitehouse.gov has moved to an Open Source Content Management System (CMS) . This should be proof enough that Open Source software is making great inroads despite all the doubting Thomas(es). They have adopted the Open Source and free 'Drupal' CMS. Incidently, this is the same CMS I have also adopted/using for my Cyber Real estate which is still under construction at http://www.gantayet.in

Did the White House take a clue from me??? :-) Obiviously not as millions of users are using Drupal for their web-sites, and a good product will always gets its rightful recognition in the course of time!!

Quoting for the reports on the White House website found here:-

"WhiteHouse.gov has gone Drupal. After months of planning, says an Obama Administration source, the White House has ditched the proprietary content management system that had been in place since the days of the Bush Administration in favor of the latest version of the open-source Drupal software. Dries Buytaert reflected on this, adding: 'this is a clear sign that governments realize that Open Source does not pose additional risks compared to proprietary software, and furthermore, that by moving away from proprietary software, they are not being locked into a particular technology, and that they can benefit from the innovation that is the result of thousands of developers collaborating on Drupal.'"

Hope the Indian Government and Govt. Organisation take a clue from Obama :-)

And from what my sources tell me, the Obama administrations is actively considering another Open Source candidate for active use - the Google Chrome Operating System - in the near future!! Watch this space!!

Reporting Software Piracy - the Dummies Guide

This is the result of a close friend of mine (Manish - hands up!!) enquiring about if there is any way of reporting Software Piracy!! Well, it got me thinking! For one, I had never ever reported any 'Software Piracy' - just felt bad when I saw it, gave a sardonic smile, and went about the daily chores including preaching about using Open Source and Freeware!! Secondly, 'Software Piracy' in India has become such a 'done thing' that every one assumes its their birthright, and never give it a second, nay first, thought!! I wonder if they ever even thought about it! This is especially true and pretty rampant in Govt. Organisations and smaller firms . For example, visit any 'Photo shop', and you would see them using 'Photoshop'  (pun intended!!) to touch up your digital photos! I always wonder if they spent the Rs. 50K minimum necessary for a licensed copy of the software!!! Check the price here - its $1000 approx).

Let me make you feel guilty!!! Are you or your organisation using original software? Well, when MS Office 2007 Professional costs Rs.15,500/- and MS Office 2007 Home costs Rs. 3000/- (hardly anyone uses the low featured 'MS-Office Home Edition'), I guess you have saved some money, right? :-)

In fact, people look at you in surprise if you enquire about their software licenses!! And some even wonder if there is anything like a software license (the whole software thing came pre-loaded you see!!!). And some even tell me "DO SOMETHING USEFUL IN YOUR LIFE U REVENGEFUL **** " :-)

Anyway, coming to the point, one can report Software Piracy in Organisations or Individuals. And am sure some actions are taken thereof!!!

What defines Sofware Piracy? From the Business Software Alliance site:

"Software piracy is the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software. This can be done by copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing multiple copies onto personal or work computers. What a lot of people don't realize or don't think about is that when you purchase software, you are actually purchasing a license to use it, not the actual software. That license is what tells you how many times you can install the software, so it's important to read it. If you make more copies of the software than the license permits, you are pirating."

Every major software maker have their own 'Software Piracy' reporting forms/ web-site/ mail id!! Check out a few of these sites if you are interested (???) to report Software Piracy!!
http://www.bsa.org/country.aspx?sc_lang=hi-IN  - The grand daddy of them all.
http://www.microsoft.com/india/piracy/Report_piracy.aspx
https://www.microsoft.com/howtotell/reports/report.aspx
http://info.borland.com/about/piracy.html
http://www.mathworks.in/company/aboutus/policies_statements/piracy.html

(These are just a few example sites......)

Specifically, taking the most common example, if you are in India and observe any software piracy of Microsoft software you have the option of reporting the same in the following ways:

Method 1: E-mail piracy@microsoft.com.

Method 2: Call the Microsoft Hotline at 1800-111100 (from MTNL & BSNL landline) or 1800-1021100 (from Mobile and Airtel)

Method 3: Fill out an online reporting form on their web site.

Ofcourse, in Mumbai you can report to the 'Cyber Crime Investigation Cell'

Cyber Crime Investigation cell,
Annex III, 1st floor, Office of the Commissioner of Police,
D.N.Road,
Mumbai - 40001
Email: officer@cybercellmumbai.com

Tel: +91 - 022 - 24691233

Is there some monetary reward? Well, I am not sure!! But this does throws some light!! :-)

And check out some true stories of those who indulged in 'Software Piracy' and about the Monetary rewards at http://global.bsa.org/faces/index.html

Don't use Windows for Internet Banking

Came across this must read article, which I thought is a must share when we live, connect, commerce so much online these days. The article (dated 08 Oct 09) stems from deposition by the New South Wales Police, Australia during a public hearing on Cybercrime  and can be found here.

The article is rather simplistic as it does not goes into technical details, but does drives home the point. The recommendation to use Linux clean boot or using iPhone is pretty sensible and recommended.

An extract of the article:

" Cybercrime expert endorses Linux, iPhone when banking online.

Consumers wanting to safely connect to their internet banking service should use Linux or the Apple iPhone, according to a detective inspector from the NSW Police, who was giving evidence on behalf of the NSW Government at the public hearing into Cybercrime today in Sydney.

Detective Inspector Bruce van der Graaf from the Computer Crime Investigation Unit told the hearing that he uses two rules to protect himself from cybercriminals when banking online. The first rule, he said, was to never click on hyperlinks to the banking site and the second was to avoid Microsoft Windows."

Of course I don't use Microsoft Windows - simply see no sense in spending good money on a legal copy - when I can do all my work (including word processing, presentations, graphics, multimedia) and more in my Linux distributions - Ubuntu (home use) and Debian (Office use).

We need to be much more careful and aware and consider this startling statistics, (thank your stars if you are not already a victim):

"Symantec has release a report indicating that cyber crime has surpassed illegal drug trafficking as a criminal moneymaker, and 1 in 5 will become a Victim." - from this site

And in case you are using Internet Explorer (any versions!!), the default Web-browser in your Windows OS, please do yourself a favour and switch right now. The IE browsers are bloated, slow, insecure, and doesn’t render the web correctly. Check out this BLOG on why Internet Explorer 8 sucks!! and this website on Why Internet Explorer is unsafe. Though IE8 has improved a lot (check here - read the comments too), it still has some way to go (wait for IE9???). Also do yourselves another favour and learn/be-aware about modern, standards-compliant browsers.

Though I am a big fan of Firefox (it is extensible with excellent add-ons, secure, and Open Source), you can try out other light-weight browsers too like Opera, Camino (on Mac OS), Chrome etc. Here is a long list of web-browsers!!

Windows 7 - Pricing in India and other Tit-bits for the impatient

Windows 7 has finally been released (22 Oct 09) and it comes in five different flavours in India – Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.  (US has only four flavours - Home Basic missing there!!)

Here are the approximate rumoured pricing in India (not yet on the stores self!!):

• Windows 7 Starter - Not found in retail stores. Comes pre-installed in systems
  
• Windows 7 Ultimate – Rs 11,799
• Windows 7 Professional – Rs 11,199
• Windows 7 Home Premium – Rs 6,799
• Windows 7 Home Basic (not listed in official US site - only available in India)– Rs 5,899

For any reasonable use, you need atleast the 'Professional Edition' - as per me of course!!! Rs 11,200.00 approx!!!

You can compare the features of Win7 over older Windows versions here. For details of features of each of the different versions of Windows 7, see this CNET article here.

Surprise of surprises was when I wanted to check the Windows 7 licensing policy - or what they call the End User License Agreement(EULA)!!! The Microsoft Official site for the EULA said "The Windows^® 7 operating system is currently in development." (see snapshot below!!) Wow!!!!

However, you will not be able to buy the Windows 7 software off the self (OTS) in India yet!!! This is because all importers of packaged software (Microsoft products included) to India are caught in a dispute with the country's customs department over the interpretation of new taxes on packaged software that were introduced in July 09. In view of this, the consignments of the Windows 7 packaged software for retail sale is stuck and will not be available in retail stores soon!!

Hardware issues. The Windows 7 hardware requirement claims to need 1 GB RAM minimum, and recommends 2 GB for good performance!! However, read the fine print on the Windows 7 site if you want to use the system in Windows XP mode, which states "Windows XP Mode requires either OEM pre-installation or post-purchase installation of Windows XP Mode (which runs on Windows 7, Windows Professional or Ultimate) and a virtualization technology, such as Virtual PC."  This would also require an additional 1GB RAM and 16 GB Hard disk space. Hard disk no problem - but be sure to have a minimum of 3 GB RAM in your systems if you want to comfortably use Windows 7.

And if you don't want to spend the $$$ for yet another Windows upgrade, do consider using any Linux Distribution for Free :-)

Recovering Linux root password

Many people have been getting in touch with me to recover the Linux Admin passwords of their systems. This is mainly because they have forgotten their Admin passwords (unused for long time surprisingly!!!) or the Admin Personnel has gone on leave or just disappeared!!!

The simple procedure explained below will hopefully sort out all your woes!!

First of all, you will require a Linux live CD (like the Ubuntu Live CD or my favourite 'Knoppix' CD. (download it free from here!!!). You can also use the convinient  bootable Linux USB pendrives too.

A long list of available (for free!!) Linux Live CD can be found here!!

"A live CD or live DVD is a CD or DVD containing a bootable computer operating system. Live CDs are unique in that they have the ability to run a complete, modern operating system on a computer lacking mutable secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive. Live USB flash drives are similar to live CDs, but often have the added functionality of automatically and transparently writing changes back to their bootable medium. The term "live" derives from the fact that these CDs each contain a complete, functioning and operational operating system on the distribution medium. While a live CD typically does not alter the operating system or files already installed on a computer's hard drive, many live CDs include mechanisms and utilities for altering the host computer's hard drive, including permanent installation. This is important for the system management aspect of live CDs, such as removing viruses, drive imaging, and system recovery." - from wikipedia

You will recreate a user that has administrative permissions on your server as mentioned below.

1. Boot from a rescue CD such as a Knoppix Live CD or bootable pen-drive. It doesn't really matter what you use, as long as you can boot Linux and get access to a shell prompt. Make sure to mount the /dev and /proc directories and establish a chroot environment that points to your server's root directory. 
2. You are now root on your server's file system. Use the passwd command to reset the password for the user root. From now on, you have re-established access to the root account.
3. Reboot your server without the Knoppix CD and verify that you can log in as root, using the password that you've just set.
4. Recreate an administrative user account that is not root. If for example the name of this user account is Gunz, use useradd -m gunz. To use sudo to execute commands as root, you must make sure that the user account is a member of the group adm. To make a user with the name gunz member of the group adm, use usermod -G adm gunz.
5. Use passwd gunz to give the user you've just created a password. You have now re-established a user account that can be used to perform administration tasks on your server.

Of course, to fix this problem you need physical access to your server and something (Linux Live CD!!) that boots a Linux shell and allows you to mount your server's file systems.

Excellent One-stop Health related site

Came across an excellent Health related website - U.S based - which is a must bookmark/reference site called 'MediLine Plus'.

"MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. Preformulated MEDLINE searches are included in MedlinePlus and give easy access to medical journal articles. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news." - from website

I found the 'Interactive Health Tutorial' section that addresses almost all types of diseases, their symptoms, causes, cures etc very useful and most importantly, very simple for layman like us. 

"The tutorials listed below are interactive health education resources from the Patient Education Institute. Using animated graphics each tutorial explains a procedure or condition in easy-to-read language. You can also listen to the tutorial." - from web site

This should be purely used for education/ reference purpose and is no substitue for a visit to a Doctor. Sharing for all my friends. Check it out.

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Release - 29 Oct 09

Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala), is scheduled to be released on 29 October 2009. It will become Canonical's eleventh release of the distribution and will likely be supported until April 2011.

The 9.10 release will focus on improvements in cloud computing on the server, further improvements in boot speed as well as development on the Netbook Remix.

"Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimised to run on a new category of affordable Internet-centric devices called netbooks. It includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. This interface is optimised for a retail sales environment." - from Ubuntu Site

The desktop installation of Ubuntu 9.10 is expected to include, among other programs, GIMP 2.6, GNOME 2.28, Mozilla Firefox 3.5, OpenOffice.org 3.1, Linux Kernel 2.6.31, X.Org 7.5 and Empathy Instant Messenger. The default filesystem will be ext4, and the Ubuntu One client, which interfaces with Canonical's new online storage system, will be installed by default.

"Ubuntu One is your personal cloud. You can use it to back up, store, sync and share your data with other Ubuntu One users. Ubuntu One gives all features and 2 GB of essential storage to everyone." - from Ubuntu Site

 It will also debut a new application called the Ubuntu Software Center that will unify package management. Canonical intends for this application to replace Add/Remove Programs (gnome-app-install) in 9.10 and possibly Synaptic, Software Sources, Gdebi and Update Manager in Ubuntu 10.04. Karmic Koala will also include a slideshow during the installation process (through ubiquity-slideshow) that will highlight applications and features in Ubuntu

Great Video - The Linux Story

A great and classic/historic video. From Linux Torvalds himself - who himself admits that this 'talk' may well be historic as he dosen't like to give 'talks' and intend talking much in future!!

A must see video for Linux and Open Source lovers.

Useful 'Porn Mode' in Web Browsers

Known widely as 'Porn Mode', now every major browser ( Firefox 3.5 or >, IE8 or greater, Google Chrome had it since inception, Apple's Safari had it since 2005!!) comes with a 'Private Browsing' feature. No more do you have to remember to go post browsing to 'preference/options' menu and clear your caches, saved data/passwords etc (though this is still a good habit!!).


When browsing the  web where danger lurks around every click, one clamours for unobtrusive privacy. As the name 'Porn mode' suggests (no rocket science there in choosing the name!!), it is meant to hide your (embarrassing!!) browsing data and habits. It is most useful as a security tool though, when you are using public Internet access systems, like in Cyber-Cafes or your office systems. You must have noticed that financial web-sites (like banks, e-shopping etc. sites) warn you to close your browser windows post usage so as to delete 'cache' data. This 'warning notice' may become history if the fincancial web-server can recognise that the user is using browsing in 'Porn Mode'!!

In Firefox 3.5 or greater, a mere “ctrl+shift+p” will put Firefox into “Private Browsing”, not saving even a 'bit or byte' of history to disk (Note: I don't use 'IE8 - so go find out  yourself !). Further, rather than opening a new window, it caches off your currently open tabs, closes them, and puts the new porn mode tab as the current tab, all in the same window. When you’re finished, stopping private browsing will restore your tabs from the saved cache, including any text you might have typed in any form field.

So go ahead - make merry with the 'Porn Mode' on your browser :-)

Securely Erase Hard Disks : Open Source Linux Tool

If you are concerned about the security of your data, identity thefts, or simply wish to protect your privacy (credit card info, passwords, private mails etc., - all leave footprints on your disks!!), you should be aware that your computer hard-disks has to be 'completely wiped/erased' before you hand over your systems/ hard disk for repairs or disposal/ buy-back etc.

There are many commercial tools available for the task costing oddles of money!! I generally get along using Open Source freeware tools. A handy freeware tool that I would recommend for Windows users is 'Eraser'(available here) :

"Eraser is an advanced security tool for Windows which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns. Works with Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Server 2008. Eraser is Free software and its source code is released under GNU General Public License."

Recently  I stumbled upon a very convenient and easy to use tool that should be part of everyones 'fire-fighting software' pack!! Its called Darik's Boot and Nuke (commonly known as DBAN), is Open Source, and can be downloaded and used for FREE!!!

DBAN is based on Linux (it is an Open Source project hosted on Sourceforge),  and is designed to securely erase a hard disk until data is permanently removed and no longer recoverable (Note for the geeks: This is achieved by overwriting the data with random numbers generated by Mersenne twister or ISAAC (a PRNG)).

DBAN can be configured to automatically wipe every hard disk that it sees on a system, making it very useful for unattended data destruction scenarios. DBAN can be booted from a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB flash drive . It supports the currently used IDE, SCSI and SATA hard drives.

DBAN is highly recommend to be used  prior to computer recycling for personal or commercial reasons, such as donating or selling a computer. From the DBAN web-site:

"Darik's Boot and Nuke ("DBAN") is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction.

DBAN is a means of ensuring due diligence in computer recycling, a way of preventing identity theft if you want to sell a computer, and a good way to totally clean a Microsoft Windows installation of viruses and spyware. DBAN prevents or thoroughly hinders all known techniques of hard disk forensic analysis.

DBAN is a free software product that can be used at home or in a business at zero cost. The only official place to obtain DBAN is by download at this web site. We do not sell DBAN media."

Google Wave - Your tommorow is here today!!

Google's innovation time is here!!!! 'Google Wave' makes a big splash for 'Open Source'!! One more big thumbs up for Open Source - GOOGLE WAVE 'is' Open Source!!!

Google Wave is basically a cross between instant messaging, email and a wiki. You've got an inbox that looks like a Gmail inbox and you can create new Waves, which are a bit like email messages. Multiple participants can collaborate in real time, edit the waves, add photos, videos etc. etc.

 Check out the YouTube video - and be THRILLED!!! 

(Wonder why they were using Firefox instead of Google Chrome??)

Facebook fun hacks

Earlier I had posted on the aspect of security on Social Networking Site. There is no reiterating the fact that 'the Web' has many risks which a normal net user may not be aware off. Luckily for us, most of the popular sites are pretty security conscious and make the extra effort to be 100% sure of their site and their users security. But its also easy to change a web page from what the original developer intended to do and maybe look like!!! And that's what the Cyber terrorists exploit!!!

Just to show you all how easy it is to change the default ways of some of the popular sites, lets have some fun on the Facebook site (your login of course!!). Mind you - this is not a SECURITY issue or concern - just a fun hack!! 

The below 'fun hacks' will not cause any harm to the web site - and the site will be restored to its  original form when you refresh the web page!!! So have no worry - just try these out for an experience (trust me???) !!!!

And ofcourse I got these tit-bits browsing online and Googling!!! The credit goes to the annonymous coders (certainly not me!!! I am just one more impressed bloke!!)

Ok, go ahead and login to your Facebook account.

Once the home page opens, on the address bar (the one where you type http://www.facebook.com :-) copy paste this line of code, and hit enter:

 javascript:void(document.getElementById('fb_menubar').style.background='red');

Hmmm..... impressed??? (the above will change your top menu background colour to 'Red'!!)

Try this too...

    javascript:buddyList.toggleTab();

The above will bring up list of your online friends!!!!

Easy, yeah????

(there are quite a few such 'javascript' hacks available!!! Stopped here so as to keep this post brief!!!)

Let the fun continue.....

Ok, now go to you status update box (where you type in your status message), and using your UP-DOWN-LEFT-RIGHT keys, type out the following sequence of keys :

    [up] [up] [down] [down] [left] [right] [left] [right] b a [enter]


pictorially:

(hmmm.... of course, you will not see any letters there except 'ba')

Then click anywhere on the page!!!! And tell me what you see!!! :-)

The above is an 'easter egg' in Facebook famously called 'the konami code ' (check out what is 'konami code' here )

"For the uninitiated or nongamers out there, the Konami Code (UP UP DOWN DOWN LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT B A) is arguably the most famous cheat code in video games. It has been used in countless games and lately, some sites have taken to using the code to trigger amusing events on the page."
















 


YouTube download - the Open Source and Linux way

Many a times we come across excellent YouTube videos that we would like to save for offline viewing or sharing with friends. There have been many YouTube downloader software that comes standalone or as add-on to the browsers. But somehow I was not much satisfied with whatever downloaders I used - either they took long time to open, or had horrendous GUIs. Most importantly, they were not Open Source. Being a staunch Linux and Open Source user, I knew there would definitely be a better way to do it in the Open Source and Linux world.

Finally I have found the perfect utility for the job called youtube-dl. And fortunately, this can be used in both Linux and Windows (have not tested it here!!) You can download it from here. From the web-site:

"youtube-dl is a small command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com. It requires the Python interpreter, version 2.x (x being at least 4), and it's not platform specific. It should work in your Unix box, in Windows or in Mac OS X. The latest version is 2009.09.13. It's released to the public domain, which means you can modify it, redistribute it or use it however you like."

The youtube-dl is actually a Python (a programming language) script, and the authors of the 'youtube-dl' program have released it as Open Source. You can check out the code using any standard editor like 'emacs', 'vim', 'gedit' etc.

In Linux.
To use the 'youtube-dl' program in Linux is pretty easy from the command line. Just download it to any directory, make it executable using the command  chmod +x youtube-dl  and just run ./youtube-dl

For example, I executed the program as follows (a nice Tech Geek Video):

./youtube-dl  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8GDzKQ6oY4

Output of the command:

[youtube] Setting language
[youtube] m8GDzKQ6oY4: Downloading video info webpage
[youtube] m8GDzKQ6oY4: Extracting video information
[download] Destination: m8GDzKQ6oY4.flv
[download] 100.0% of 6.34M at   61.65k/s ETA 00:00 

Use your Movie Players to play the .flv file thereafter!!!

Social Networking sites - Security Issues

A large number of us are using social networking site and enjoy our Cyber space. Not onlydoes it make connecting up and networking easier, it is a great source of  fun and entertainment too. Although social networking sites are generally a safe place to interact with friends and acquaintances, most of us are unaware of the dangers lurking in these site.

How many time have you clicked on a nifty application in a social networking site, applications like fortune cookies, birthday greetings, gift a coke, etc. etc., and you have been given a choice of the application wanting to access your data and needing your permission? We generally provide the go ahead - without actually knowing the consequences. Most of these applications are maybe safe, but there is a possibility there may be a 'rouge' application lurking out there for your click, which may set a trojan(rogue program) in your system 'with your permission' and thereafter transmit data like credit card info, passwords or maybe simple data. There are enough such applications out there - so much so that the FBI has collaborated to set up the 'Internet Crime Complaint Centre' in the US of A. Trend shows that tough cyber laws has not been a deterrent, as long as careless users like us don't bother.

Keep these simple suggestions in mind to protect yourself while navigating the Internet:

• Adjust website privacy settings. Some networking sites have provided useful options to assist in adjusting settings to help protect your identity.
• Be selective when adding friends. Once added, contacts can access any information marked as viewable by all friends.
• Limit access to your profile to only those contacts you trust with your personal information.
• Disable options, such as photo sharing, that you might not regularly use. You can always enable these options later.
• Be careful what you click on. Just because someone posts a link or video to their wall does not mean it is safe.
• Familiarize yourself with the security and privacy settings and learn how to report a compromised account.
• Each social networking site may have different procedures on how to handle a hijacked or infected account; therefore, you may want to reference their help or FAQ page for instructions.

My unheralded IIT-ian Friend

The day brought cheer - not in the form of yet another holiday, but by a heart warming article in a recent edition of the Indian Express (27 Sep 09) of a dear friend of mine Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda (Read all about him here). The article 'A Matter of Choice' has the tag lines

"After he quit his $1,20,000 job in the Silicon Valley, Panda can still afford family vacations, if not in Europe anymore than in Kasauli, but his favourite sports skiing and hiking must be relegated to memory"

 and

"At a time when IIT Professors are on strike demanding a pay hike, The Sunday Express meets former IITian who took the academic root back to IIT"

Today when we are clamouring for fat pay-checks, promotions, recognition (read hundreds of articles/views/post where my brethens cried hoarse when there was no press coverage for martyrs!!!), Preeti Ranjan comes as a breath of fresh air, an inspiring young Indian who goes about his duty with dedication without a whimper.

And of course, I wrote back to Preeti Ranjan:

"I am proud of you!!! You choice of career and dedication is itself an achievement!! I am honoured to have crossed your path, and its a privilege knowing you and your family! Money, position, Ranks don't mean a thing if one can't do ones calling!!! I am envious of your courage of conviction! Just hope I too get some inspiration. And the article is very nicely written too!!"

Linux: All things about Cows...

Recently a friend (Ishan Karve) of mine introduced me to nifty small script/ program called 'cowsay' which has makes life on the Linux command terminal interesting and amusing. Pity, Windows users won't be able to use it.

It is basically a ASCII cow which  moooos...... to you interesting quotes (when linked with the 'fortune' program) or you can make it say un-interesting things as shown below (when used alone!!) :-
__________________________
< My name is Gantayet >
 ----------------------------------------
        \   ^__^
         \  (oo)\_______
            (__)\       )\/\
                ||--------w |
                ||     ------||

The program developer Tony Monroe mentions that he decided on this ASCII cow mooing as cows were quite popular in his life!!! Wow! And I thought only Indian revered cows!! He says: "ASCII cows have been wandering in herds around the net for a long time, bringing good will and unnecessary bovine humor to all who meet them"

You can check out the cows grazing on the Internet at this linked site: Canonical list of cows

The program is pretty easy to install - just get the package from Tony Monroe's cowsay site  or if you are on a Debian system (like Ubuntu, Mint etc), just do a 'sudo apt-get -i cowsay' at your command prompt. Post that you can directly run cowsay from the terminal giving it some text to moo about like 'cowsay My name is foo' or pipe fortune quotes like 'fortune | cowsay' at the terminal screen.

Coming to the interesting part: The COW ASCII image has many variation which can be invoked by the -f option to cowsay  (cowsay -f ) . To know what are the options available, just do 'cowsay -l'. This will list all the options availablewhich is pretty interesting. Ok, the options are :

apt beavis.zen bong bud-frogs bunny cheese cower daemon default dragon dragon-and-cow elephant elephant-in-snake eyes flaming-sheep ghostbusters head-in hellokitty kiss kitty koala kosh luke-koala mech-and-cow meow milk moofasa moose mutilated ren satanic sheep skeleton small sodomized sodomized-sheep stegosaurus stimpy supermilker surgery telebears three-eyesturkey turtle tux udder vader vader-koala www

And if you use 'cowthink' instead of 'cowsay', you will get a thinking moooo :-)

Here is an examples when I ran 'fortune | cowsay -f :

fortune | cowsay -f tux
_______________________________________
/ You'll be called to a post requiring    \
\ ability in handling groups of people. /
 ----------------------------------------------------------------
   \
    \
        .--.
       |o_o |
       |:_  / |
      //       \ \
     (|          | )
    /'\_       _/`\
    \___)=(___/


And this Option is interesting ;-) 'fortune | cowsay -f sodomized'
____________________________________________
/ Increased knowledge will help you now. \
\ Have mate's phone bugged.                     /
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
      \                _
       \              (_)
        \   ^__^       / \
         \  (oo)\_____/_\ \
            (__)\           ) /
                ||---------w ((
                ||            ||>>

 Pretty interesting, yeah??