Just for fun, I setup an old PC (HP box with Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz, 2 GB RAM and 160 GB HD) and installed Linux Mint. The motherboard has the built in Ethernet port, but I wanted to use WiFi. So I plugged in the Edimax USB that I had laying around. Mint recognized it, but it didn't work quite right (would not maintain a connection but for a few minutes).
Did a bit of searching and found several comments about this issue. Some where helpful, some not. Finally found this post that briefly outlined the steps to update the driver - and now it's working much better!
March 17, 2014
March 09, 2014
Ubuntu: Linux for human beings
Catchy phrase, eh? Up to three installations of Ubuntu now (2 laptops, 1 server) and enjoying every minute.
Found this over at LinuxCounter.net - guess it's a bragging rights kind of thing.
Of course, could always learn new a thing or two about Ubuntu and Linux in general.
Check out this blog:
Cool UBUNTU Tips & Tricks brought to you by OzzyFrank
February 19, 2014
Malware, Local File Insertion and PHP
Getting back into some web development once again. I've been playing around with some simple CMS applications for blogging, etc. On one new site, I installed Pixie, which seems to be a nice solution (plus I just like trying out things that are of British origin).
On the new micro server, I installed tinyCMS to try it out. Getting it setup and working properly can be a topic of another post, but I was doing a little research on the security of the application. Seems it does have some documented vulnerabilities, along with WordPress and the TinyMCE editor.
In the course of looking at this, I came across this post that suggested some things to help make the PHP more secure. Specifically by disabling these functions in the php.ini:
disable_functions = create_function,gzinflate,eval,base64_decode
Good reading and never hurts to a least try to keep the sites a little more secure.
On the new micro server, I installed tinyCMS to try it out. Getting it setup and working properly can be a topic of another post, but I was doing a little research on the security of the application. Seems it does have some documented vulnerabilities, along with WordPress and the TinyMCE editor.
In the course of looking at this, I came across this post that suggested some things to help make the PHP more secure. Specifically by disabling these functions in the php.ini:
disable_functions = create_function,gzinflate,eval,base64_decode
Good reading and never hurts to a least try to keep the sites a little more secure.
February 06, 2014
Dell Inspiron 1420, Ubuntu and Wireless 1395 WLAN mini-card
I had previously posted about my adventures with installing Ubuntu on this old Dell laptop. Even though I could get the wireless to connect with the open source drivers included with Ubuntu 12.04, I have always had difficulty getting the connection to persist, especially after a reboot.
First I thought it was the network manager, made changes and eventually went back to the original. I put up with it for awhile but again went searching for a better answer.
There is a proprietary driver for the Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN mini-card (which is actually a Broadcom BCM 4312 under the hood) provided by the manufacturer here.
Also, more information about detecting and installing alternate drivers provided in the Ubuntu documentation is worth reading: Identifying Your Broadcom BCM43xx Chipset (PCI)
The easy answer that I discovered was:
First I thought it was the network manager, made changes and eventually went back to the original. I put up with it for awhile but again went searching for a better answer.
There is a proprietary driver for the Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN mini-card (which is actually a Broadcom BCM 4312 under the hood) provided by the manufacturer here.
Also, more information about detecting and installing alternate drivers provided in the Ubuntu documentation is worth reading: Identifying Your Broadcom BCM43xx Chipset (PCI)
The easy answer that I discovered was:
- Go to System Settings and select Additional Drivers
- Give it a few minutes to detect your hardware
- Activate the STA wireless driver
January 27, 2014
Logwatch and fail2ban
Things are running along pretty smoothly on the Ubuntu server over on Amazon AWS. Doing some research on server admin and security, saw a post on installing Logwatch to more easily scan the logs daily. Of course, no surprise to see lots of attempts at compromising the server.
Decided to do something about it and found this article (geared more to Debian Wheezy, but still applies to Ubuntu): Install and Config Fail2Ban
I particularly liked the information about apache-badbots and apache-myadmin, both of which would help block a lot of the traffic seen in the logs.
Also saw lots of entries in the logs with w00tw00t.at.blackhats.romanian.anti-sec:)
So looked up a post on this blog that discusses using fail2ban specifically to block it.
Fun stuff!
Decided to do something about it and found this article (geared more to Debian Wheezy, but still applies to Ubuntu): Install and Config Fail2Ban
I particularly liked the information about apache-badbots and apache-myadmin, both of which would help block a lot of the traffic seen in the logs.
Also saw lots of entries in the logs with w00tw00t.at.blackhats.romanian.anti-sec:)
So looked up a post on this blog that discusses using fail2ban specifically to block it.
Fun stuff!
January 19, 2014
LibreOffice on Ubuntu 12.04 - More about hsqldb.jdbcDriver
I have another old laptop that has Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (dual boot with Windows 7) and wanted to see if I could recreate the issue with LibreOffice Base.
This time I did not uninstall the default LibreOffice 3 that came with the distribution. Rather I followed the instructions mentioned in the previous post and added the PPA followed by an update. I didn't realize that Base was not included in the default install I had, so did have to install it.
Was not surprised to find that Base could not open up the sample database just as before. So, that ruled out that doing the uninstall first on the other laptop caused the problem.
As before, running this command fixed the issue:
This time I did not uninstall the default LibreOffice 3 that came with the distribution. Rather I followed the instructions mentioned in the previous post and added the PPA followed by an update. I didn't realize that Base was not included in the default install I had, so did have to install it.
Was not surprised to find that Base could not open up the sample database just as before. So, that ruled out that doing the uninstall first on the other laptop caused the problem.
As before, running this command fixed the issue:
sudo apt-get install libhsqldb-java
January 17, 2014
Upgrading to LibreOffice 4.1 on Ubuntu - Missing hsqldb.jdbcDriver
I've been really enjoying Ubuntu on this old Dell laptop for awhile now. One thing I ran across was not being able to open MS Publisher documents with the default LibreOffice 3 that was installed. Doing a little research, that functionality was added to LibreOffice 4, so I decided to upgrade.
Best I could tell, the proper way to proceed was to use the Software Center to uninstall version 3. Then I found this article on installing LibreOffice 4.1 from the PPA. After installing with
I created a new database and tried to open it. Uh-oh, I got this error:
and
Now what to do? I went back into the Software Center and looked at LibreOffice Base and there were several optional add-ons for a variety of database drivers. Select every one available and updated. Nope, still not working.
Somehow installing from the PPA is not linking correctly so the hsqldb.jdbcDriver can be found. Doing some more research I found another reference to exactly just that topic on the LibreOffice forum: Upgraded to LO 4.1.0.4 now get 'connection to data source' error
Reading through that showed me how to install that specific driver with this:
(Side note: I did not need to remove the old symbolic link and create a new one as mentioned in the post by dtmonterrey).
Bingo! LibreOffice Base now opens my new database and I can connect to create and edit tables.
Best I could tell, the proper way to proceed was to use the Software Center to uninstall version 3. Then I found this article on installing LibreOffice 4.1 from the PPA. After installing with
sudo apt-get install libreoffice, I tried out LibreOffice Base.I created a new database and tried to open it. Uh-oh, I got this error:
The connection to the data source "SampleDatabase" could not be established.and
The driver class 'org.hsqldb.jdbcDriver' could not be loaded.
Now what to do? I went back into the Software Center and looked at LibreOffice Base and there were several optional add-ons for a variety of database drivers. Select every one available and updated. Nope, still not working.
Somehow installing from the PPA is not linking correctly so the hsqldb.jdbcDriver can be found. Doing some more research I found another reference to exactly just that topic on the LibreOffice forum: Upgraded to LO 4.1.0.4 now get 'connection to data source' error
Reading through that showed me how to install that specific driver with this:
sudo apt-get install libhsqldb-java(Side note: I did not need to remove the old symbolic link and create a new one as mentioned in the post by dtmonterrey).
Bingo! LibreOffice Base now opens my new database and I can connect to create and edit tables.
January 03, 2014
December 09, 2013
December 05, 2013
Ubuntu on Dell Inspiron 1420
Earlier I posted that I had installed Ubuntu on an old computer, but didn't really go into any detail about the hardware. It's a 5 year old Dell Inspiron 1420 that was running with the original Windows Vista (service pack 2 installed).
This poor old laptop had a couple rounds of spyware/malware and was pretty buggy to the point no one wanted to even try to use any more. Almost to the point of recycling it (or donating to a worthy cause), but thought why not install one of the new Linux distributions on it for fun. Turns out it gave the old Dell a brand new lease on life!
With that said, I'd had some problems with the wireless drivers related to the hardware on this model, the Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Mini-Card. I had read previously about issues with proprietary drivers, etc. Ubuntu connected via wireless without a hitch but I always had to manually reconnect the wireless after a reboot. Researching showed several others having the same problem with 12.04 and recommended a different connection manager - wicd - but that caused more problems on the Dell because wireless broke all together.
Long story short, I put the default network-manager back and decided that the issue wasn't with Ubuntu but rather the drivers. Still want to link to an article about an alternative for later:
Broadcom Wireless on Ubuntu
This poor old laptop had a couple rounds of spyware/malware and was pretty buggy to the point no one wanted to even try to use any more. Almost to the point of recycling it (or donating to a worthy cause), but thought why not install one of the new Linux distributions on it for fun. Turns out it gave the old Dell a brand new lease on life!
With that said, I'd had some problems with the wireless drivers related to the hardware on this model, the Dell Wireless 1395 WLAN Mini-Card. I had read previously about issues with proprietary drivers, etc. Ubuntu connected via wireless without a hitch but I always had to manually reconnect the wireless after a reboot. Researching showed several others having the same problem with 12.04 and recommended a different connection manager - wicd - but that caused more problems on the Dell because wireless broke all together.
Long story short, I put the default network-manager back and decided that the issue wasn't with Ubuntu but rather the drivers. Still want to link to an article about an alternative for later:
Broadcom Wireless on Ubuntu
more Ubuntu changes
After setting up a nice screensaver in Raspbian on the Raspberry Pi, I realized that my laptop with Ubuntu 12.04 only had the default blank screen available. Not to be outdone by the RasPi, I found some information about why Ubuntu's screensaver is the way it is and what to do about it:
How to Add Screensavers to Ubuntu 12.04
December 03, 2013
more Raspberry Pi
Here's something very interesting - combining my two newest hobbies Ubuntu Linux and RaspPi - A Raspberry Pi Build Cluster for Ubuntu
Never mind that I can't actually watch the YouTube video with Raspbian :-P
Still, if it could be done, I think having a modified Ubuntu that could run on the Raspberry Pi would be cool!
Never mind that I can't actually watch the YouTube video with Raspbian :-P
Still, if it could be done, I think having a modified Ubuntu that could run on the Raspberry Pi would be cool!
Setting things up on Raspberry Pi
Just for fun, I thought I'd buy one of these little Raspbian kits and get back into using Linux (and maybe learn some Python and Perl and the way). In fact, I'm posting this today from the RaspPi! Cool stuff but not as easy out-of-the-box like Ubuntu 12.04.
So, blogging some steps that I took to customize and optimize Raspbian:
1) Installed Iceweasel (version of Firefox) and moved cache and profile to RAM disk (surf the web much faster!) - Firefox Ramdisk
2) Added some new shortcuts to the desktop (I'm using the default LXDE desktop GUI) using LXShortCut and added/modified the program menu with LXPanel
3) Oops, I deleted the log-out button from the panel! Never did find a graphical way to put the button back, but did find out how to restore. Rename the directory ~/.config/lxpanel (to something like ~/.config/lxpanel_bad) and reboot. LXDE will create a new panel from the default configuration. Note the dot in .config (it's normally a hidden directory).
Next up is to clone my SD card so I have a copy of Raspbian just the way I have it setup now in case I screw things up again!
So, blogging some steps that I took to customize and optimize Raspbian:
1) Installed Iceweasel (version of Firefox) and moved cache and profile to RAM disk (surf the web much faster!) - Firefox Ramdisk
2) Added some new shortcuts to the desktop (I'm using the default LXDE desktop GUI) using LXShortCut and added/modified the program menu with LXPanel
3) Oops, I deleted the log-out button from the panel! Never did find a graphical way to put the button back, but did find out how to restore. Rename the directory ~/.config/lxpanel (to something like ~/.config/lxpanel_bad) and reboot. LXDE will create a new panel from the default configuration. Note the dot in .config (it's normally a hidden directory).
Next up is to clone my SD card so I have a copy of Raspbian just the way I have it setup now in case I screw things up again!
November 07, 2013
Customizing Ubuntu
Just for future reference, I'm going to try and list all the different software packages I've added to Ubuntu now I've got it installed on this old laptop.
I must say, installing and customizing things on Ubuntu is much easier than the last time I tried using a flavor of Linux (Redhat back around 2006 or so).
Here's the list so far:
I must say, installing and customizing things on Ubuntu is much easier than the last time I tried using a flavor of Linux (Redhat back around 2006 or so).
Here's the list so far:
- Oracle Java(TM) Development Kit (JDK) 7
- Eclipse, using the Ubuntu Software Center, got an older version (Indigo), but that's ok with me
- Wikipedia Lens
- OpenSSH server
- Gimp
- Lightweight Java Game Library (lwjgl) by following this link
- Boot-Up Manager (BUM)
- ClassicMenu Indicator
- Kompozer
- XChat-GNOME
- FileZilla (I know it's got FTP built in, but I like FileZilla anyway)
November 06, 2013
Do you Ubuntu?
Just installed Ubuntu 12.04 on an old laptop. Pretty cool so far. Always liked working with Linux and now they are so easy to install and configure, even with WiFi, webcams, USB, etc.
It was quite an "upgrade" from the cranky old Windows Vista that was running on this computer.
It was quite an "upgrade" from the cranky old Windows Vista that was running on this computer.
October 18, 2013
The reports of my death are highly exaggerated
EM man wanted in shooting death of Darrell Little
Good thing *I* don't live in Moline, IL
MegaMediaMashUpGoogleLand
Fun things to report - new Mac mini to replace the much loved iMac G4 Sunflower, upgrading the iPad to iOS 7 (eh...), rolling along with the Java programming course.
Discover completely by accident (how else do you find something in the YouTube universe?): SourceFed Nerd
Some random rambling about geek tech (but what else would you want to watch?) and some actually funny stuff.
Discover completely by accident (how else do you find something in the YouTube universe?): SourceFed Nerd
Some random rambling about geek tech (but what else would you want to watch?) and some actually funny stuff.
March 13, 2013
iTunes on Windows Vista = No Fun
Dear Apple iTunes team: the 11.0.2 update takes way too long to install.
Or is this yet another incompatibility with Windows Vista?
Sincerely,
Loyal Apple Customers who still use Microsoft Windows
Or is this yet another incompatibility with Windows Vista?
Sincerely,
Loyal Apple Customers who still use Microsoft Windows
February 15, 2013
Oops
Wow, 2012 sure did go by quickly. Didn't even think about posting anything here.
Going to try and get back into blogging again now that I'm taking a few classes in Java programming.
Going to try and get back into blogging again now that I'm taking a few classes in Java programming.
May 05, 2011
Another Blog-a-versary so to speak ... it's been 10 years since my first blog entry here. Significant observations:
- Facebook is a world-wide phenomenon
- Moved on past Windows Vista and pretty happy with Windows 7
- Web development is pretty much taken over by Content Management Systems
- My latest Apple computer is a half-inch thick and has no keyboard (gotta love that iPad)
- I've given up on trying to learn Office 2007, now Office 2010
Might post here again in another year or so. LOL
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