15th March, 2002: Some games aren not fun

By Russell Pavlicek, IT World, 2002-03-15

"A TUG-OF-WAR is in progress between users of proprietary software and the software companies. If you cannot control the software you use, control of your business is at risk. Recent events demonstrate how the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) can be used by software companies to wrest control of proprietary software from you. "

This is a very interesting article, not so much for it's content, but for the implications it could have on the entire software industry. Read the full article at LinuxWorld

12th March, 2002: Security flaw could affect all Linux systems

By Sam Costello, IDG News Service, 2002-03-12

A buffer overflow in a library common to most Linux systems could cause a serious security hole that allows those systems to be remotely attacked and taken over, according to a security alert issued by Linux security firm Guardian Digital.

The flaw is in a component called zlib, which is used for file decompression in programs such as the GNU Compiler Collection development environment, the Mozilla Web browser and the X11 system which is used by some Linux installations to draw windows, according to the alert from the Upper Saddle River, New Jersey-based firm.

A buffer overflow results when the amount of memory assigned to a program or task is overrun, often allowing an attacker to execute code. In this case, programs that use the zlib component for network compression are vulnerable to attack due to the flaw, Guardian Digital said.

The hole is even more serious because many programs link to zlib and thereby inherit the same vulnerability, the alert said. Because of this, many different software packages will have to be updated or patched to fix the vulnerability, according to Guardian Digital.

No exploit is currently known to exist for the vulnerability, the company said.

8th March, 2002: AGL closes Dingo Blue (from AustralianIT)
Caitlin Fitzsimmons MARCH 07, 2002

DINGO Blue will close its doors by the end of June, leaving 170 staff out of work and 68,000 customers without a telco unless a buyer can be found.

AGL spokesman Geoff Donohue said the Dingo Blue parent had lost more than $45 million on the internet and telephony provider since it bought the company from Optus just over a year ago. It paid $22 million for the business. Read the full story at AustralianIT

1st March, 2002: For the love of LUGs

By Russell Pavlicek, InfoWorld, 2002-02-28

People who want to try using open-source software are sometimes put off by the thought that they will have no place to go when things go wrong. After all, most people know someone who can try to help them if their Windows PC starts acting strangely. But who will help the lonely soul who ventures into the land of open source?

Thankfully, the situation is not as bleak as it may appear. Numerous Web sites, mailing lists, and newsgroups exist to give aid to people with problems. And unlike many of the similar structures built around closed-source software, the participants have access to the source code. This means that many more questions can be answered, because far fewer solutions are obscured from view.

Sure, some companies will sell you support contracts. But whereas companies survive on such services, individuals interested in exploring open source are less than likely to shell out the funds for such coverage.

But the best solution to this quandary is also the least acclaimed. If you need a helping hand, the best place to go is a place where like-minded users gather. In the Linux world, these are known as Linux users groups, or LUGs for short.

LUGs provide a great opportunity to make friends and to compare notes. Most LUGs I have been to had attendees who ran the gamut from newbie to expert. Discussions range from the most simple installation questions to debates about design issues in device drivers. Simply tune in to the topics that make sense to you, and you can walk away much richer in knowledge.

LUGs generally meet on a regular basis, usually once or more per month. Many of them also have regular "installfests," special meetings where someone can carry in their PC or laptop and leave with a fully functional Linux system installed by members of the LUG. This is usually the simplest way to get Linux up and running on your PC.

But you might be saying to yourself, "I am looking to use Linux or BSD in my business. What good will an ad-hoc bunch of hobbyists do me?"

The truth is these "hobbyists" will probably do more for you than you can imagine. After all, some members are the developers who actually wrote the code you are using. And if they did not write the code, many of them have used it and explored it to the point of understanding it well.

Attending a LUG meeting and explaining your problems can bring you many answers. Often you will get offers of assistance. And you might even find that experienced technical person you have been looking to hire.

A few LUG registries exist, and one of the best can be found at www.ssc.com/glue. Run by Linux Journal, the Web page is called GLUE (Groups of Linux Users Everywhere). If you want to explore open-source software, and Linux in particular, check out the Web site to find a LUG in your area.

14th Feb, 2002: Bank admits online fraud
Andrew White FEBRUARY 14, 2002 at The Australian

THE Commonwealth Bank, Australia's largest online banker, has admitted its NetBank service was the victim of fraud and revealed a major overhaul of bank systems is under way to combat the causes of recent blackouts in its online services.

But CBA chief executive David Murray yesterday denied fraud had occurred because of a flaw in the bank's operating systems. Rather it had been an "identity fraud by certain criminals" committed on the NetBank. He would give no further details, saying they were confidential.

Mr Murray's admission contrasted with previous statements from CBA that its systems had not been the victim of internet fraud or hacking. Read the full story at AustralianIT

14th Feb, 2002: Show us Windows source, States ask judge
By John Lettice Posted: 13/02/2002 at 16:27 GMT at The Register

The US States still pursuing Microsoft have upped the ante by asking the judge to force Microsoft to show them Windows' source code, their reasoning being that they need this to verify whether or not Microsoft is telling the truth when it says that producing a stripped-down and/or IE-free version of Windows isn't technically possible.

Which is logical enough. One of the most irritating and protracted battles of the trial under Judge Jackson's auspices was the row over whether or not taking IE out of Windows would break it, whether Ed Felten had actually removed IE or just slightly hidden it, and whether or not Jim Allchin's video demo debunking Felten had been faked. (Well OK, that last one wasn't tedious at all - here it is again, for your amusement.)

An examination of the source could possibly short-circuit such arguments, determine which bits of which DLL do what, and whether functionality has been combined in DLLs for reasons of efficiency or simply because Microsoft wanted to weld non-related functions together for nefarious reasons. Alternatively, it could result in hugely complex, unintelligible rows that leave the judge, and everybody else, entirely baffled.

The States also asked the judge to appoint a technical expert to provide "impartial opinions on the complex, technical issues" of the case. If she grants source access, we fear one of these may not be enough... ®

10th Feb, 2002: Linux for NT - First the schools and maybe the entire public service

OpenSourceSchools.org recently published a story about the successful roll-out of Linux and Open Source software in the Northern Territory education system. Claiming significant cost saving, better Internet functionality, better performance and better mangeability over a distributed network, perhaps this should be a model that other states and government departments should consider.

Given the apparent success of the deployment, other Northern Territory government departments are already considering the move. So it looks like the NT could well be taken over by Linux.

8th Feb, 2002: IBM introduce the Meta Pad™

IBM Research has come up with an inovative variation of portable computing.

"Codenamed "Meta Pad", the device is about the size of a ¾ inch thick stack of 3-by-5 index cards, and is part of IBM's research to explore how humans interact with computers and define the technologies needed for future pervasive devices." (IBM Research)

With it's Transmeta Crusoe 5800 variable processor (300MHz to 800MHz), a 10GB hard drive and 128MB of memory, all other normal and even abnormal components including monitor, keyboard,mouse, touchscreen and even power supply are intended to be add-ons to suit your situation.

Finnished at the office but still more to do? Grab your Meta Pad, head home and plug it into your work frame (monirot, keyboard & mouse) and you're still working just as effectively as at the office, but wth the comforts of home.

Then again, maybe you shouldn't work so hard.

6th Feb, 2002: Major privacy hole in Windows/MSN Messenger (from TheRegister)

A nifty feature in MSN and Windows Messenger which apparently was intended to identify IE users (without their knowledge or consent) on Microsoft Web sites can easily be abused by any Webmaster with a bit of Javascript or VBscript, a clever empiricist has discovered.
Read the full story at (from TheRegister)

2nd Feb, 2002: Is WINE the Catalyst for the Linux Desktop? (from Wired News)

Despite its continuing success as a server operating system, Linux has yet to loosen Microsoft's stranglehold on the desktop. Linux's apparent lack of productivity applications and complex user interface has prevented it from becoming a viable Windows alternative for all but the technically inclined.

But a slowly fermenting open-source project called WINE will soon try to close the gap by enabling Linux users to run Windows apps without having to install Microsoft's cash cow OS.

WINE (in architypical hacker mentatily apparently stands for "WINE Is Not an Emulator") and is a set of API (Application Programming Interface[s]) that allow you to run many Windows (Win32) programs on the supported Unix-style platforms. This basically means that if you wanted to move your desktop to Linux, FreeBSD or Solaris, you can still run your essential Windows applications.

You can get an insight and more useful links from a recent Wired News story or from WinHQ.

29 Jan, 2002: Beware of a new "My Party" Internet worm

It's sad, but there are still new worms and viruses being circulated targetting unsuspecting Internet users that exploit the open nature (considered by many to be security flaws) of some software. Read more about the new "My Party" worm at Wired News or Symantec Anti-Virus Research Center (SARC). Remember - whenever you suspect an email or program is a virus, look it up at SARC or equivalent reputable industry specialist. This way you avoid both infection and the embarrassment of proliferating hoaxes.

26 Jan, 2002: Claims that Telatra rigged ZDNet poll

Telstra has apparently admitted rigging a poll in which consumers were asked whether the Australian telco charged too much for Internet access. Story summarized at The Register

The Internet Industry Association in conjunction with TechTrek are conducting a survey and we would like to urge you to have your say. The Survey is run from demo.election.com/techtrek/ which is a fairly straight-forward set of questions whether you are a regular user of the Internet or not. Being an officially represented body, these (and subsequent) surveys could be quite influential in the future direction of Australian government policy towards the Internet, it's regulation and availability.

12 Jan, 2002: New-Look Web Site

Paradigm IT Consulting would like to thank very much the services of Bridget Doughty and our own Graphic Designer, Kristian Lie, for their efforts in re-vamping this web site.