Category Archives: Computers & Internet

Open Source tools and applications for web developers

Several open source tools have evolved in the past and have become popular with the developers too. These tools have gained popularity not only because they come free but because of the ease to work with and the features. First let us see some code editors:

– Aptana: It is a free, JavaScript focused development environment, cross-platform and open source for building Ajax applications. It supports HTML, JavaScript, CSS languages, FTP/SFTP and has a powerful JavaScript debugger that can help in troubleshooting your code.

– Eclipse : It is an open source software framework written mainly in Java. It is an integrated development environment consisting Java development toolkit (JDK) and compiler (ECJ) for developing applications in Java. Developers can extend its capabilities by installing plug-ins such as development toolkits for other programming languages written specifically for eclipse software framework. Language packs for over a dozen languages are available.

– JEdit : It is a programmer’s text editor which has many hundreds of man-hours of development behind it. It is a java-based solution and a cross-platform product which can work on many operating systems like Windows, VMS, UNIX, OX/2 and Mac OS X.

– NVU : It is a web authoring system for Linux desktop users, Macintosh users as well as for Microsoft windows and is a competitor for similar products like Dreamweaver and Frontpage. Nvu actually means new view and makes managing a website very easy. Now even people without knowledge of HTML or technical expertise can create web pages and manage a website.

– Quanta Plus : It is a web development environment with a lot of features and is highly stable. Quanta has a vision of achieving maximal user extensibility through the best architectural foundations, best, efficient design and natural use of code.

We shall see other tools in other posts.

Ubuntu to Windows XP folder sharing

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Computer networks are sometimes comprised of various methods, and while operating a network made up fully of Ubuntu desktop and server computer systems would definitely be enjoyable, some community environments must consist of both Ubuntu and Microsoft Windows systems working collectively in harmony.
When making an Ubuntu shared folder that was created with NTFS be accessible to Windows XP steps. Run the NTFS configuration tool on the drive.
It is advisable have admin rights to do that modification.
Select: Application –> Accessories –>Terminal
then type the following:

sudo gedit /etc/samba/smb.conf

In the [global] section, add the following line:

usershare proprietor only = false

Some Linux security tips for Rootkit Hunter

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If you run Rootkit Hunter and you haven’t modified your stock Red Hat configuration of the SSH service (sshd), chances are it will find that you allow root logins. Rootkit Hunter considers these as possible security risks. However, to fix this, you can simply login as root, fire up a text editor, and edit the file

/etc/ssh/sshd_config

Make the following changes:
You’ll find a commented line like this:
#Protocol 2,1
Uncomment it and change it to:
Protocol 2
This will disallow logins using the older versions of the protocol

Look for the commented line
#PermitRootLogin yes
Uncomment the line and change it so it reads:
PermitRootLogin no
This will configure sshd NOT to allow root logins.

After this, be sure to restart sshd (assuming you run the service in the first place so:
Service sshd restart

By the way Rootkit scanner is scanning tool to ensure you for about 99.9% you’re clean of nasty tools. This tool scans for rootkits, backdoors and local exploits.

2010 in review – Not bad…

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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

Healthy blog!

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Upload, store and download files with no limits! (up to 2GB single file, no space or time limitations) December 2010

How to unzip and install a tar.gz file in Linux October 2006
76 comments

SoundConverter: the best (and the simpliest) audio converter for Ubuntu! August 2007
8 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

Linux August 2006
124 comments

How to add a cool “MAC OS X” dock in your Linux: two different solutions for Kubuntu. May 2007
6 comments

Get Kindle for PC to Ubuntu (if you really don’t like Calibre)

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Amazon’s Kindle a popular portable e-book reader device, lately made Kindle for PC application that allows you to download and have books on your computer rather than having a portable e-book reader device. There’s only Kindle Windows version but the nice thing is you can have this application in Linux.
This is tested in Ubuntu 9 running Gnome. You can use different version of Linux, but first you must have Wine HQ installed to you computer. Then download the EXE file of Kindle for PC application in Amazon.
Install this with Wine HQ software loader and proceed to the normal installation, the same thing that you do in Windows environment.
Note:

– At your first run you won’t see anything at all

– Configure Wine first and add Kindle for PC as an application and make it run in Windows 98 mode

– If it won’t work, change to other mode

– When it opens successfully you have to input you Amazon email add and password to register the software.

But, please, don’t forget that if you prefer open source software, you can directly use Calibre, a powerful free software we posted a while ago.

LibreOffice vs. OpenOffice! What’s the difference?

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Since the end of September 2010, a group of German OpenOffice volunteers left definitively the project to join the The Document Foundation and develop a fork version of the famous free productivity platform now controlled by Oracle. After just few months we have LibreOffice: a (more or less) new cross-platform productivity software based on OpenOffice version 3.3 beta. We compared both the free suites and apparently we did not notice particular differences in features and tools. Also the graphic interface is similar between the two platforms and the buttons position is the same. At the moment LibreOffice supports less languages in its Linux and MAC OS X versions and it is not compatible with Solaris based PCs. Both the productivity platforms are able to use the OpenOffice extension library. Consequently, it is clear that it’s too early to notice relevant technical differences between the two competitors but, for sure, something will show off in the next versions. In fact LibreOffice has been created to guarantee a vendor independent office suite which can be developed with no copyright software chunks. The goal is prestigious and we can only say, Good Luck LibreOffice!

Stay safe! Install Rootkit Hunter on Linux and FreeBSD

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Rootkit Hunter is a Unix-primarily based scanning tool that scans for rootkits, backdoors and possible local exploits. It does this by comparing SHA-1 hashes of vital files with known good ones in online database, looking for default directories (of rootkits), improper permissions, hidden records data, suspicious strings in kernel modules and particular tests for Linux or FreeBSD. Most instances rootkits are self-hiding toolkits utilized by blackhats, crackers and script kiddies, to keep away from the attention of the system admin. If you’re unsure as to whether your system is compromised, you will get a second opinion from sources such as Linux-oriented forum. If your system is contaminated with a rootkit, cleaning it up will not be an option. Restoring can be not an option unless you might be expert, and have autonomous and an impartial means of verifying that the backup is clear, and does not include misconfigured or stale software. Never trust a potentially compromised machine! Basically a clean install of the OS is always advisable after backing up the system.

Computer Borders on Facebook

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We decided to begin this year publishing our semi-new Facebook Page and to re-stylish, just a few, our right side bar. We hope to meet you on Facebook and, again, Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

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Remote Control your Ubuntu

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Managing the Remote Desktop on Ubuntu is quite easy. You can allow users to access your desktop with VNC Viewer utility that is included in Ubuntu pack and can be downloaded for free also in Windows PCs. The Remote Desktop feature is very useful but follow, at least, one important safety tip: when your desktop remote control is enabled, the only defense against attacks is your firewall and it must be properly installed and configured correctly. In any case, do not forget that Remote Desktop still represents a first level security risk.

To tune up the Remote Desktop just follow these simple steps:

– go to System > Preference > Remote Desktop on the Gnome top menu:

– check the first two check boxes for remote to be enabled.

– if you want to connect your PC through the web and a “Your desktop is only reachable over the local network” notice appears, please do not forget to forward Port 5900 to the IP you see a line below in the menu

– in the Security section, when selecting the “You must confirm each access to this machine” check box, you will be needed to be at the computer to allow the other person to access your desktop. If you are trying to remote access one of your own computer, you would want to uncheck this box

– do not forget that the password check box should always be checked and you should enter a real secure password You will be prompted for this password when you try to log on

– for a better safety be sure that an icon will be displayed on the Ubuntu upper bar when someone is connected

“Your Desktop is Only Reachable Over the Local Network”