Focus On: Linux

Can a network run better without a professional network manager? In a continuing discussion with a self-taught, small business network administrator... who some think is a hero, but others charge is a goat... I discovered that sometimes, the answer is, "Absolutely yes!"

When the Linux Ten Commandments were committed to stone, Number One was, "Thou shalt not use root for thy personal login." Too bad the masses didn't get the memo. They've left the Linux priesthood forever gnashing its teeth in denial. I captured a chat with one of the sinners.

The new breed of rootkits is operating system-agnostic. 64-bit implementations of BSD, Linux, MacOS X, Windows Vista are all considered vulnerable, as long as they're riding atop the wrong chips from AMD and Intel. VM rootkits quietly sieze control of the chips' virtualization technology to control or pervert any and every process the attacker chooses. Current defense possibilities are depressingly mechanical.

Microsoft security guru Jeff Jones is extending the meme that Windows is more secure than Linux. Ever curious, I decided to check out his assumptions and methodologies. Setting aside easy red herrings like the timing of fixes, I still came across judgment calls that less MS-centric researchers might have made differently.

By digging on the vastly improved US Census Bureau site, I found that there really isn't much poverty in my small midwestern city. Can local geeks use this knowledge to close the portion of the digital divide that's due to income? My plan's designed to satisfy Conservatives, Moderates, Liberals and Greens. If it doesn't please you, let's hear yours.