Linux tools, aps, and or software programs

I've taken some network classes so I was really interested in this tool. It's called APS and it prints detailed information about network packets. Whenever computer is connected to a network, packets are transferred from the computer to the server and other computers. This tool is similar to Wireshark, a tool that I use on my PC. It's really cool because if you're troubleshooting this tool will inform if and where the packets are being dropped or misinterpreted.

Screenkast is a software similar to Snapz for Mac. It records what you're doing in the windows manager. This is useful if you want to record your actions on the screen so you can use them as a tutorial. The viewer will then see step by step exactly what you're doing. I've used a similar software to record my screen while surfing the net. Then I exported as a quicktime file and used it in a video editing project.

The final Linux app or software that caught my eye was GNU Ocrad. It's a cool OCR (Optical Character Recognition program). What it does is it reads bitmap images and it interprets them as text. This is very useful when scanning an image that has text. With this program you can then edit the text after you scan your document.

Kinect Driver Controversy

The launch of Microsoft's new video game accessory, Kinect, brought on an interesting challenge for hackers all around the world. The Kinect is Microsoft's newest video game accessory for the XBox. It is a total controller-free gaming and entertainment experience. It allows users to control and interact with the XBox without using controllers. Basically, it's a camera that records video and depth so whatever the viewer's does is interpreted on the screen.

With its launch, a company called Adafruit Industries offered a bounty of $2,000 to anyone who would successfully hack the software and create an open source driver of their own. A Spanish student claimed the prize by unlocking the code and successfully creating an open source driver.

As we might guess, Microsoft wasn't too pleased about the whole idea of people messing with their code to come up with different drivers. They said that they don't condone reverse engineering. They've also made it clear that they will take legal actions to prevent unauthorized third parties from using the Kinect camera for different purposes than what it was intended for.

It seems like it's always the same thing. Instead of Microsoft being happy that their new product is causing all this attention, what they're worried about is keeping their technology for themselves. They don't seem to realize that by having people work on open source drivers that some other more productive purpose could come for the Kinect camera. Maybe it could be used for radars or robotic purposes. I just think that having people work hard to come up with ideas to better a product is always a good idea. But like always, The Man tries to keep everything for themselves.

Net Neutrality

Net neutrality is basically the first Amendment as it relates to the internet. It advocates that there should be no restrictions by Internet service providers, or any other big wigs, on content that is available to anyone on the internet.

Just like the First Amendment, Network Neutrality is very important because it gives us the right to have access to what ever we may want to see on the Internet. I don't think anyone should restrict how much or what type of data we should have access to.

The debate on whether Network Neutrality is good or bad for the people has reached Washington. The House of Representatives will soon vote on a bill that could change the Internet as we know it. The bill in question would give the big phone and cable companies the power to pick and choose what the consumer would have access to and be able to see on the Internet.

The Internet is an information highway where everyone has access to whatever they want. That is what is so great about it. You need to do research for a school assignment? Well just log on and you'll find what you're looking for. You're looking for those cool shoes that you saw on TV? Well just log and search until you find them. It would be unfortunate if this would change.

It doesn't surprise me that all of a sudden "The Man" wants to step in and change what has been working so great for everyone. But we must not let this bill or any other similar one pass. We are living in the Information Age and the Internet is a main part of that. I'm sure if this bill were to pass we would find a way to work around it but why must "The Man" always step in and try to make things difficult for the average man?

Linux as a Career

It seems like now a days everyone must know at least some sort of computer code. And from doing research I found out that Linux is one of the fastest growing as far as being in demand.

I see two main avenues for using Linux as a career. The first is as a system administrator. Along with knowing how the Internet works and scripting knowledge, you also need to pass the RHCE exam. Salaries range from 45-70K a year for an entry level position.

The other option is as a programmer. I found out that companies employ people to work on Linux so that it is better incorporated into that company. This position pays an average of 30-55K a year for entry level.

SCO vs Novell

In 2003 a legal fight came to the forefront between the SCO Group and Novell. SCO sought to gain licensing fees from Linux users. They claimed that a deal their predecessor, the Santa Cruz Operation, had made with Novell entitled them to Unix and therefore it was their legal right to collect fees from all Unix, including Linux, users.

Novell responded by revealing an amendment they had made to the purchase agreement with SCO which revealed that it was still the legal owner of Linux. They also announced they would compensate and protect all Linux users against the claims made my SCO.

Finally in 2004 SCO filed a lawsuit with a Utah State court. Novell soon followed with their own counter suit and sought damages in excess of SCO's net worth.

In 2006, Novell presented evidence that supported their claim that they were in fact the legal owners of Unix. The judge agreed and even awarded them a judgement that said SCO owed them over 2 million dollars.

Even though SCO won a partial appeal, in the end Novell came out as the winner and the legal owner of Unix. SCO even had to file for bankruptcy but not before they had to pay out to Novell.

Donate to Get Rover to the Moon

The Google Lunar X Prize is offering $20 million dollars for the first team to land a data-transmitting rover on the moon.

Most of the teams are sponsored by or work for big corporations that can afford to put a lot of money behind their projects. However Team FredNet is a taking a different approach, they're using the same open-source style that has worked so well with Linux. Their asking for people with different backgrounds to use their skills and submit their ideas so together they can win this great prize.

I think this is a great idea. Everyone enjoys rooting for the little guy to take out the bully and this contest is a great tool to do that. There are many talented individuals from different place and ages that all dream about landing in space. Well the next best thing is to be part of a team that gets their project to the moon. And the prize money isn't bad either.

So for all you space enthusiasts or just anybody who likes a good David vs Goliath story we're asking for you donations or help so we can win the Google Lunar X Prize.

Linux Kernal Numbering System

The great thing about the Linux Kernel is that it's always being updated and revised by programmers. With these updated there is a need for keeping them in order and being able to identify them. That is where the numbering system came in.

The numbering scheme consist of 4 numbers. The first denotes the kernel version. It is changed only when major changes in the concept and the code of the kernel occur. The second number represents the major revision of the kernel version. The third number stands for the minor revision of the kernel and it is only changed when new features or drivers are added. Finally, the fourth number represents corrections for things such as security patches and bugs fixes. Sometimes the numbers are followed by letters and those letters are followed by other numbers. These refer to a release candidate and a non-official release. Sometimes other letters indicate the person responsible for that release.

Currently the numbers that represent the most recent Linux Kernel are 2.6.11.