Linux anesti 2.6.31-16-generic-pae #53-Ubuntu SMP Tue Dec 8 05:20:21 UTC 2009 i686

To access official Ubuntu documentation, please visit:

http://help.ubuntu.com/

System information as of Tue Dec 29 10:18:31 MST 2009

System load: 1.46               Memory usage: 50%   Processes:       93
Usage of /:  6.5% of 184.12GB   Swap usage:   0%    Users logged in: 0

Graph this data and manage this system at https://landscape.canonical.com/

The message at the bottom refers to Canonical‘s newest commercial offering for Ubuntu servers. Essentially, Landscape is a web-based system monitoring interface hosted by Canonical. While the product/service itself is pretty useful, the cost of it could be prohibitive for many Ubuntu Server users. I had installed Landscape initially to play with it, but after seeing the screenshots and information about the product, decided not to bother. I did, however, like the MOTD displayed on login with the Landscape data and wanted to keep that while not wasting CPU cycles running the landscape-client. Here’s how I kept the informational MOTD, but removed Landscape from my box.

1. Remove Landscape from the machine

   sudo apt-get remove landscape-client

   Note: apt will inform you that packages are ready to be auto-removed.To ensure that the landscape-common package we need doesn’t get removed, force the package to install.

   sudo apt-get install landscape-common

   You can then auto-remove the remaining packages.

   sudo apt-get autoremove

2. At this point, you’ll notice that the “Graph this data and manage this system at https://landscape.canonical.com/” message still shows. If it doesn’t bother you, you can stop here. If you want to get rid of it, you’ll need to edit the Python file that outputs this text.

   sudo nano /usr/share/pyshared/landscape/sysinfo/landscapelink.py

   Comment out the two three lines:

       def run(self):
           #self._sysinfo.add_footnote(
               #"Graph this data and manage this system at "
               #"https://landscape.canonical.com/")
           return succeed(None)
   

3. Log out and log back in to see the changes!

Edit: It appears the location of this file has changed, as it’s actually a symlink to

/usr/share/pyshared/landscape/sysinfo/landscapelink.py

. I’ve updated the instructions to fit this. On my system, there are symlinks in both /usr/lib/python2.5 and /usr/lib/python2.6 for this, so it’s easier just to edit the main file.

About the Server

It’s now been updated to Ubuntu Server 8.10. I’ve added some new PHP anti-spam and security fixes, as well as implemented some referral spam blocking. I’m now using a new stats engine, in addition to Google Analytics. AWStats seems to work pretty well. As a warning to anyone on a Ubuntu server thinking of using it, the version in the repositories has an enormous security hole which could allow someone to execute terminal commands as root on your server. Updating to 6.9 fixes the known holes, and I reccomend it. I had personally tested the exploits available for AW Stats, and verified that they were an issue.

I’ve added WP-SuperCache to WordPress, and it has appeared to speed things up incredibly well. I didn’t think it would be as much of an improvement as it is. I’ve also switched my permalinks to something more user-friendly, but all the old links should still work. If you stumble upon one that does not, let me know and I’ll manually add a redirect.

My Life Lately

Firstly, I reached a crossroads in my educational career and decided to change majors. I’ve taken enough Computer Science classes now for a minor in CS, and I should be able to graduate in Mass Communication with an emphasis in New Media by about this time next year – fingers crossed.

I’ve undertaken a handful of projects over the past year, and have finished them. I helped in the construction of Troy Champ‘s blog, hand-writing a custom look that matched the rest of the Capital Church website, produced by the incredibly talented Kelly Johnson. In addition to this, I tailored a version of the theme for the 20-30 somethings blog for Capital Church.

I undertook a design for a friend of mine (also from Capital Church). I present to you Streamline Entertainment. The client had a pretty good idea of the feel and look of the site. I worked with several ideas of my own before giving more of the creative design aspects to the client. He’s been tweaking it as he sees fit now, thanks to the ease of use of WordPress 2.7. I’m moderately satisfied with the look. The client wanted things exactly the way he had in mind, so I did it just how he wanted. There are a few things that I would have personally changed or left out, but it’s not my site.

School

My classload is a bit heavier this semester. That being said, I think my classes are considerably less difficult than my previous semester. My current list of classes is below:

• COMM 3550 – Intro to Visual Communication
• COMM 1500 – Intro to Mass Communication
• COMM 3510 – Intro to Web Design – Seems like it should be easy enough for someone who has done web design as long as I have.
• FCS 3450 – Family Economics

I’m pretty happy with my schedule, despite having a killer 6pm-9pm Thursday night class. I’ve been trying to work out a work schedule with the library so I can have a decent level of income.

Geeking Out

I’ve been coding in ActionScript in Adobe Flex Builder 3, learning to build both Flex web applications and Adobe AIR applications. Flex Builder is built on top of Eclipse, which brings a familiar environment to life for me with a new language. ActionScript isn’t terribly difficult to learn, and Flex Builder has a fantastic UI designer. Look to see some fun apps from me in the future. If you’re a student, you can get a free educational version of Flex Builder. There’s no difference between the full version and the educational version, from what I can tell. This is a great way to get some excellent Adobe software.

Here’s where the problem comes in. Revision3 doesn’t distribute illegal content at all. They were simply a distributor using a protocol and process that is just as easily legitimately used for legal content, despite the reputation of being an agent of illegal P2P. MediaDefender may not have targeted Revision3, but what they did is still illegal, under numerous US statutes. MediaDefender’s DoS approach to stopping or scaring P2P users is illegal. I seriously hope that they’re sued, in the name of internet justice. Their servers apply a “if I can’t have what I want, nobody will get it” approach not unlike a child’s temper tantrum. This child needs to be punished and grounded. I will not be surprised if these cyberterrorists are shut down by the FBI or by lawsuits from companies like Revision3.

Everyone has their favorite configuration and set of applications once they install a fresh install of their favorite OS. I’m going to catalog the ones I prefer to use for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Some are free, some are not. Many of the non-free applications have free counterparts or similar applications.

Check out the list after the break.

Mac OS X

1. Mozilla Firefox – An essential component of each of my systems. Fully extendable, quite secure, and updated regularly.
   • Addons – Gmail Notifier, Adblock Plus, Adblock Filterset G Updater
2. AdiumX – A multi-protocol IM client. Basically the Mac counterpart to Pidgin (formerly GAIM)
3. Skype – A popular VOIP client. Lets you make free calls with your computer.
4. Remote Desktop Client / VNC – Allows you to view and control the screen of any other computer with Remote Desktop Service or a VNC server running.
5. Senuti – A nice piece of software which allows the backup of your iPod to your computer.
6. SynergyKM / Synergy – Lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. SynergyKM adds a GUI.
7. Microsoft Word / NeoOffice – Basic Office applications (word processor, spreadsheet editor, presentation editor, etc)
8. Smultron – A mediocre text editor for OS X. It its defense, it is free.
9. Adobe Photoshop – The best image editor and graphic design tool on the market. Some claim it’s better on a Mac, but I’ve noticed very little difference.
   

Windows

1. Symantec Anti-Virus – Unfortunately, with a more popular OS like Windows, you need good virus protection. My AV of choice is Symantec Anti-Virus. I don’t buy the whole suite, just the AV. Other free AV programs are just as good. AVG is a popular one.
2. Ad-Aware – A good spyware scanner, though it doesn’t always get everything. Use in conjunction with Spysweeper for better coverage.
3. Mozilla Firefox – Again, one of the most secure browsers for Windows. The new beta is incredibly stable and secure, too. I use the same addons as above, but one more: IETab.
4. Notepad++ – Tabbed text editor with great syntax highlighting and line numbering. Extendable.
5. Windows Live Messenger / Pidgin / Trillian – Several good IM clients.
6. Synergy – Synergy with a GUI for Windows.
7. Adobe Photoshop – The best image editor and graphic design tool on the market. A good free alternative is Paint.NET.
   

Linux

1. Mozilla Firefox – Usually the default browser on Linux systems, but beats out competitors like Konqueror due to its extendability.
2. GKrellm – A system monitor which displays network usage, disk usage, memory usage, e-mails, and more. Extensible.
3. K3b – The best CD and DVD burner for Linux. Comparable to Nero or Toast on Windows or OS X.
4. Amarok – Music manager and player for KDE. Has iPod support and support for album artwork, lyrics and other plugins.
5. Synergy – Command-line only version of Synergy.

What about you? Do you have any applications that you just HAVE to install upon having a fresh install of our favorite OS? Leave them in the comments.