DevLog - Mad_Dud

Problems in everyones life.

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:38:40 +0200

We hate problems, we do anything to avoid them and if it comes to facing one, we try to find other people to blame and to fix the issue. One thing I've learned in last few years - to count only on myself, to be independent and to be prepared for worst case scenarios. One of the biggest benefits is that I don't have anybody to blame for my mistakes therefore I know that I must work twice as hard to accomplish something. The price is high, but for me it's worth it. Sometimes I have to go on compromise and work width someone, and every time I'm not satisfied. I find something that could be done better - by me or by my mate. Holiday is almost finished. There are three events that are worth mentioning. Archive concert in Nyon, couple of days in National Park width my father and one-week visitation of my old friend Zaus. But talking about really interesting stuff, which are computers, I haven't accomplished much recently. New project has been opened in association width guys from Reloaded - computer cloud. My Dvorak skills have been improved but not as much as I was expecting, anyway I don't give up on it. Development process of new Dud.project version will soon come to the end, maybe yet in this month. Have a nice last weeks of summer!

Changes

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:38:44 +0200

This is turning point for me - I've decided to totally abandon PHP to Perl. Currently I'm working on rewriting all my published web apps in Perl and it goes pretty well. The reason for that move is that PHP is not enough for me anymore. Perl has great cpan libraries system, which covers all my needs. I also moved to dvorak keyboard layout - this decision does not go that well as I was expecting. I gave myself time until the end of July. Have a nice holiday!

Tordo network 10th anniversary

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:52:24 +0200

To be honest, I'm not sure, when the project has been inaugurated, but I'm sure it was in year 2000 somewhere between March and May. Everything started because some small scriptkids group was fooling around with servers. One day we came out with this idea to hack one of ours. There was one box available in my room, so I've installed Mandrake (sic!) and gave ip address to my friends. They very easily got inside using ProFTPd vulnerability and that motivated me to take interest into defense security aspects. Later this very server. In its history, Tordo network had about 10 servers, currently 4 is active, we gather 11 active members mostly from Poland, we are working on 3 big projects and we have much more in plans. The most important part is that this was the best learning technique, I've ever tried - working on something in real-life environment. It brings lots of experience! Today I've finally uploaded version 3 of main website which also introduces new logo: To conclude i would like to wish all my friends, who participate in Tordo, lot's of accomplishments, experience and fun!

Canada does not trust us...

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:59:39 +0100

So Canada is another country trying to fight with piracy. Fine, but why do they want to treat every citizen as thief? They've proposed putting tax on every device, which is able to play mp3. But honest people already paid for it by buying CD's and using iTunes store! Don't give up, Canada!

KDE4 died

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:16:55 +0100

Unpleasant day... I run Ubuntu packages update, as everyday and when everything seems to be done, my Lancelot doesn't respond. Well, reboot. But after that my whole plasma graphic environment is down. Now that sucks hard because i barely can launch applications (i always have terminal on desktop and it somehow survived crash) But almost all graphic interface is gone. Ctrl+Alt+F1, running ~/scripts/backup_eva.sh and my data is safe. Let's fix it:

$ rm -rf ~/.kde

Reboot ... and nothing, still the same

$ apt-cache policy plasma-desktop
plasma-desktop:
  Installed: none
  Candidate: 4:4.4.1-0ubuntu1~karmic1~ppa3
  Version table:
 *** 4:4.4.1-0ubuntu1~karmic1~ppa3 0
        500 http://ppa.launchpad.net karmic/main Packages

So here is problem... I attached computer to router on eth0, apt-get'ed missing package - reboot, and it works but still there is no plasma-widget-networkmanagement. Anyway I finished up with new KDE version and lots of stuff works great now.

Ubuntu 10.04 alpha2

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:12:30 +0100

Ubuntu 10.04 alpha2 available to download. Proceeding with tests. New awesome stuff:

Linux kernel 2.6.32
KDE SC 4.4 RC 1

Presentation: SVN and Git

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:26:48 +0100

I've had short presentation about Git and SVN revision control systems. Slides are available in PDF format.

yo just print like "hello world" bro

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:08:10 +0100

like Python - is that new candidate for the most hilarious programming language? Is lolcode.com still in lead?

Apple

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:02:30 +0100

This pictures pretty much summarize Apple politics: And for the big final:

Windows 7 godmode

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:29:13 +0100

Windows 7 has this cool feature, which allows user to administrate whole system from one place. It's Called GodMode and it's available for everyone by creating folder with title as following: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-82 5C-99712043E01C} I also recorded video clip which demonstrates GodMode's potential: BTW. this video made me 18th place in polish guru ranking yesterday. :-)

Why Mac?

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:43:57 +0100

Introduction

I received MacBook Pro from university half year ago. Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, 4GB ram, 320GB hdd, Nvidia, “15 - very good components. Off the record this is my first long term contact with Apple's computer. I use PC since 1992 and have 9 years in professional experience. This is quite good opportunity to write down my thoughts about Apple mark.

Look and feel

Let's face it. It's notebook, so it's supposed to be portable. My MacBook wasn't traveling with me, but my friend was taking it to the university every day and now the casing is very damaged – plenty of scratches and black dots. Especially edges –lots of dents and that really doesn't look nice. Screen is also vulnerable to damages. Casing is very cold when computer is turned off, but after a while it reaches high temperatures because of wrongly designed warming system. Laptop doesn't have any air output holes which makes it very hot even on idle (~49^oC <5%CPU usage). Battery is very good. About 6 hours work and this battery status button on left site – very handy. Also magnets used to keep the lid closed and hold charge cable attached are nice ideas which prevent from breaking additional hooks and the power plug. Big touchpad is great solution in situations, where user can't use normal pointing device, but it sometimes disturbs while typing.

Hardware

Nothing can go wrong with high quality hardware components. Apple choose Intel, Kingstone, Western Digital and Nvidia as allies and it was great choice.

This table shows details of MacBook's hardware parameters and for sure there is now flaw in this configuration. Currently it's the weakest one among whole MacBook Pro offer.

Hardware specification
Model Name	MacBook Pro
Model Identifier	MacBookPro5,4
Processor Name	Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed	2.53 GHz
Number Of Processors	1
Total Number Of Cores	2
L2 Cache	3 MB
Memory	4 GB
Bus Speed	1.07 GHz
Hard drive	WD SATA 320GB
Video	GeForce 9400M
Screen	15-inch

I was asked to provide more information about hardware components, but I don't have any other computer, which could be compared with MacBook where it comes to performance.

Operating system

It's UNIX-based kernel adopted from BSD with C++ API, so it must be good. And I wasn't disappointed. Stable, fast, guarantees easy way to install applications and make system updates. Apple made many modifications to the kernel and peripherals, which violate Unix philosophy but help them in better hardware drivers management – that's why all Mac hardware works out of the box.

MacOS X graphical user interface is not ergonomic. Maybe it is user-friendly and easy to be adapted by new users, but to make it work really fast (keyboard shortcuts, custom task-bars, etc.) It's almost impossible to configure your own user interface, which is caused by very limited customization options. In long term use I found it extremely slow in navigation. The interface design is the reason for lots of desktop space loss, which is unacceptable for me. Top bar is good example, which doesn't have auto hide option available. I had to search for third party scripts to do so, not mentioning modifying body interface itself.

Applications

I found very problematic to get applications that fit my needs. Everything is very messy because of MacOS graphical interface and you can't do anything about it. Also right and middle mouse button successfully reduces ergonomic of programs. Because of small popularity, MacOS still doesn't have as much applications as Windows platform. It's also very hard to find good freeware programs, which is caused by very aggressive mac store advertisement. There is more bad news. MacOS is not popular platform for programmers mostly because of limited access to system libraries. Lately (December 2009) most popular video player lost it's last developer - “There are now effectively zero active developers for MacOS” claims notice on official VLC forum. But still there is lots of good free software available on-line thanks to UNIX-based kernel.

Operating system popularity
operating system	market share	apps on SF
Windows	92.21%	26120
Mac	5.11%	2056
Linux	1.02%	1673

Reliability

Because of good components, MacBook didn't break down yet. Apple products are second on Rescurecom reliability list which is good sign for hardware stability. From this point of view, all Apple computers are in very good quality, and it will be hard to put them next to Acer or Aristo products. There is also user issue, which means that most hardware problems are caused by incorrect usage - traveling with computer turned on in backpack, putting it next to source of heat or just ignoring basic cleanness rules like touching computer (especially screen) with dirty hands. But there is no hardware, which can survive this kind of treatment.

First summary

MacBook is good computer. Great performance and BSD kernel makes is really nice peace of device. But everything is ruined by the interface and lack of it's customization. This is perfect computer for users, who don't care about productivity of their time spent working with it. It's for users, who require computer just to work, and Apple products meet this requirement and fulfill it very well. It's hard to crash the operating system, applications are easy to install, lack of unnecessary alerts and notifications – clean and smooth.

“Hi, I'm Mac”

So what's all about this Mac vs PC war? On apple.com we can find couple of arguments “Why to choose mac?”:

It’s gorgeous. Inside and out.
Secure. Powerful. Compatible. Right out of the box.
It has the world’s most advanced operating system. And then some.
It’s a pleasure to buy and own.

First and last argument must be ignored because taste is individual aspect, so these arguments are void. Security mentioned in second argument is caused by BSD kernel, computer is powerful thanks to Intel and NVidia chipsets. The only thing which Apple made by itself is compatibility with other devices -Apple does not allow anyone else construct and sell their computers so hardware drivers are easy to control.

This is cherry on top: All hardware (beside firewire) is adapted from PC, operating system kernel comes from PC open source project, so why still Mac users claim that their computers are superior?

Security

Virus argument can be brought in this moment. Again user lack of knowledge causes problems here. First of all virus is one of several computer vulnerabilities, which are never mentioned, for example rootkits and spyware. Secondly In 2007 MacOS was most vulnerable operating system comparing to Windows XP and even this year's biggest premiere – Vista.

Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X vulnerability stats for 2007
	XP	Vista	XP+Vista	Mac OS X
Toral extremely critical	3	1	4	0
Toral highly critical	19	12	23	234
Toral moderately critical	2	1	3	2
Toral less critical	3	1	4	7
Toral flaws	34	20	44*	243
Average flaws per month	2.83	1.67	3.67*	20.25

So we have most secured BSD kernel and so many security flaws in MacOS? Explanation for this strange situation can be found in Apple modifications which causes these problems. Almost all flaws listed above “moderately” level gives full control access over the target, which includes data (files, mails, passwords) loss and full control over system, which can make computer part of DdoS or spam botnet.

Stability

Mac wins here. So does every PC-Linux computer. The reason of MacOS'es stability is lack of driver problems like in Windows family. The easiest way to proof this point is to install MacOS on PC computer. Crash guaranteed.

Glamor

Apple products are all about the look. They must shine, they must be different than others. No discussion. If someone requires nice look from the device, Apple products may be good choice. There is also prestige aspect - Apple brand may be attractive pick for some reasons which I don't understand. I'm not much into fashion.

Second summary

Everyone has right to choose his favorite computer. It's going to be companion for couple of years. The key is to pick the one which fits the most. But as picking of a car, customer must have basic knowledge about many options. Apple's advert campaign is not very honest in many arguments (“Hi, I'm mac” paragraph) and because of atmosphere created around Apple's products, this big Mac vs Pc will never stop unless users wont understand what's really going on there.

Bibliography

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758
http://secunia.com/advisories/product/22/
http://secunia.com/advisories/product/13223/
http://secunia.com/advisories/product/96/
http://www.rescuecom.com/RESCUECOM269.html
http://www.appledefects.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_XMPP_client_software
http://www.apple.com/support/snowleopard/
http://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=59905#p228791
http://marketshare.hitslink.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=8

Comments

* - Vista and XP flaws does not sum because Vista was vulnerable for many of XP attacks.

Reviewers

tqm
Herki

Notes

This text has been inspired by my friend Kemot.

Printable

PDF

Do you like them?

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:42:05 +0100

The biggest polish news portal published common article about Albert Gonzalez and it wouldn't be nothing special there but this is just hilarious. It says: Do you like hackers? Yes No I don't know What were they thinking?

FreeBSD slipped

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:42:40 +0100

Couple of days ago local root 0day xploit has been released for FreeBSD family systems. Thx Herki! Patch your systems!


# freebsd-update fetch
# freebsd-update install

The End.

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:58:03 +0100

I want to die. Now.

I'm not an artist but..

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:08:41 +0100

... this photo looks quite nice.

Google Chrome OS - part 1

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:01:12 +0100

Google is fast. Just imagine that couple months ago they announced their own concept of operating system and here it is. Official premiere is announced on year 2010 but they already released iso with beta version. Here is VirtualBox screen available. My screens: Project details can be found here: chromium.org/chromium-os

Uptime 200

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:30:31 +0100

One of my servers reached uptime 200 days. I'm very happy because it's very close to my personal record, which is 247 days. My first server got this uptime... I was participating in Uptime-Project and I was in top 50... The project is down, but there is other one called second. For this anniversary I would like to present you couple of digits, which can tell you something about Red.

Network monthly statistics:

   month         rx      |      tx      |   total
-------------------------+--------------+--------------------------------------
  Jan '09      44.30 MB  |    31.13 MB  |    75.44 MB
  Feb '09       2.97 GB  |   706.20 MB  |     3.66 GB   %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%::::
  Mar '09     573.84 MB  |   594.89 MB  |     1.14 GB   %%%:::
  Apr '09     509.34 MB  |   876.70 MB  |     1.35 GB   %%%:::::
  May '09       1.20 GB  |     1.54 GB  |     2.74 GB   %%%%%%%:::::::::
  Jun '09     739.63 MB  |   803.10 MB  |     1.51 GB   %%%%:::::
  Jul '09     412.48 MB  |   627.91 MB  |     1.02 GB   %%::::
  Aug '09     405.00 MB  |   436.35 MB  |   841.35 MB   %%::
  Sep '09     425.86 MB  |   567.03 MB  |   992.88 MB   %%:::
  Oct '09     543.98 MB  |   891.55 MB  |     1.40 GB   %%%:::::
  Nov '09     176.91 MB  |   348.00 MB  |   524.90 MB   %::
-------------------------+--------------+--------------------------------------
 estimated       597 MB  |     1.15 GB  |     1.73 GB

Count of active users:

[mduda@red ~]$ ls -l /home/ | wc -l
      21

Memory, processor, etc... (from top)

last pid: 74982;  load averages:  0.32,  0.07,  0.02                      up 200+08:52:53 20:10:02
158 processes: 2 running, 156 sleeping
CPU: 35.7% user,  0.0% nice, 21.7% system,  1.6% interrupt, 41.1% idle
Mem: 51M Active, 12M Inact, 43M Wired, 4084K Cache, 21M Buf, 2812K Free
Swap: 56M Total, 47M Used, 8828K Free, 84% Inuse, 8K In

That's how i thought. BSD family systems are great. I must admit it - i wish I had more courage to change platform years ago, but I didn't i stayed with Slackware, which is still my favorite GNU/Linux distribution. But the difference in system architecture, ports, build in scripts (anti brute-force for ssh, jail) are absolutely insane and very surprising for old-fashioned Linux system administrator. I'm now working on yet another member of Tordo network, but I met problems with collecting hardware... People, who know my desktop workstation, usually find it interesting that I must have full system monitoring tool. I used to use Samurize.com (website down) on Windows, but in Linux I found conky unstable and heavy. Now i managed to configure it properly and finally it does what I want. Another good news - Windows 7 premiere. Great success. Guys did good job this time. Grab your VirtualBox and test-drive this baby, because it's really good peace of operating system. Stability, improved interface, good diagnostic tools, fixed filesystem, fixed many security issues. OK, that's it for now. See you around.

The power of BSD

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:23:41 +0100

This is how you do it.

# portsnap fetch
Looking up portsnap.FreeBSD.org mirrors... 3 mirrors found.
Fetching public key from portsnap2.FreeBSD.org... done.
Fetching snapshot tag from portsnap2.FreeBSD.org... done.
Fetching snapshot metadata... done.
Fetching snapshot generated at Sat Oct 31 01:19:37 CET 2009:
6f95d111a49bc1744b0912ef8f3e219a02cab196a6e6b3 100% of   59 MB  204 kBps 00m00s
Extracting snapshot... done.
Verifying snapshot integrity... done.
Fetching snapshot tag from portsnap2.FreeBSD.org... done.
Fetching snapshot metadata... done.
Updating from Sat Oct 31 01:19:37 CET 2009 to Sat Oct 31 14:15:10 CET 2009.
Fetching 4 metadata patches... done.
Applying metadata patches... done.
Fetching 0 metadata files... done.
Fetching 14 patches.....10.. done.
Applying patches... done.
Fetching 1 new ports or files... done.

PS1. Testing on vmware if freebsd behaves correctly as virtual machine server - quote close to craziness. PS2.


top - 19:51:04 up 2 days, 49 min,  2 users,  load average: 0.24, 0.79, 0.78
Tasks: 183 total,   2 running, 178 sleeping,   0 stopped,   3 zombie

3 zombies... my computer must know about Halloween

I'm fixed

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:37:19 +0200

Finally my leg is free. Now rehabilitation and let's move on with life. Santiago deserves hat tip. Waiting for digital x-ray photos...

Memory leak

mduda@tordo.net (Maciej Duda) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:19:47 +0200

That was actually funny. Suddenly Kubuntu 9.04 stopped responding. I always have htop on one of desktops, so i managed to switch view on it and i saw this: Quite interesting. I actually didn't check, what's causing it ... stupid me :-/