Top 12 Operating Systems Vulnerability Survey

Also posted yesterday on Slashdot:

Have you ever wondered how vulnerable your computer is from the first bit you write to the hard drive all the way until you have a fully patched system? If so, Matthew Vea has posted a concise summary of security strengths and shortcomings for twelve of the major operating systems of 2006/2007. In his summary, Matt tests each OS with widely available tools like nmap and Nessus, and notes responses at install, pre-patch, and post-patch times for each system. After the tedious job is done, he produces results that will make both the Apple and Windows communities cringe with regards to security. From the article: 'As far as straight-out-of-box conditions go, both Microsoft's Windows and Apple's OS X are ripe with remotely accessible vulnerabilities ... The UNIX and Linux variants present a much more robust exterior to the outside. Even when the pre-configured server binaries are enabled, each [Linux] system generally maintained its integrity against remote attacks.'

A lengthy but fascinating read. They did include Vista in the roundup as well as Mac OS Classic (as opposed to OSX which is FreeBSD-based). Also tested were Fedora Core 6 and the most recent Ubuntu 6.10 version. For those of you unwilling to read through all the technical info, here's the nutshell conclusion:

When it comes to business, most systems have the benefit of trained administrators and IT departments to properly patch and configure the operating systems and their corresponding services. Things are different with home computers. The esoteric nature of the UNIX and Linux systems tend to result in home users with an increased understanding of security concerns. An already "hardened" operating system therefore has the benefit of a knowledgeable user base. The more consumer oriented operating systems made by Microsoft and Apple are each hardened in their own right. As soon as users begin to arbitrarily enable remote services or fiddle with the default configurations, the systems quickly become open to intrusion. Without a diligence for applying the appropriate patches or enabling automatic updates, owners of Windows and OS X systems are the most susceptible to quick and thorough remote violations by hackers.

Linux Preinstalled Dell Available Soon

We've been hearing this coming down the pipe for awhile now, ever since Dell asked for feedback from the public and were subsequently deluged by demand for Linux on their offerings. As reported yesterday on Slashdot:

According to a BetaNews article, Dell confirmed on Wednesday plans to offer Linux pre-installed on select desktop and notebook systems, beyond its current Linux-based servers and Precision workstations. No specific time frame was given for the expanded Linux plans, although the company said in a blog posting that it will provide an update in the coming weeks regarding the effort. It will detail 'information on which systems we will offer, our testing and certification efforts, and the Linux distribution(s) that will be available,' Dell said, adding that, 'The countdown begins today.'

Who now?

You think GamerTechGeek works as a title? Dongyrn's Corner was just getting a bit stale. It's like, "hey lookit my personal homepage, yippee." Meh. So we'll try something new. Maybe change the layout, or maybe not. That may be pushing things. :-)

Water Bill

Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage, and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems: first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc. -- all to no avail.

One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills. Apparently this had been happening all day long when they were not at home.

Sneezing Panda

Betcha can't watch it just once.

Swords Ban in Scotland

This is just wrong on so many cultural and historical levels...

A crackdown on the sale of swords has been launched as part of a campaign to tackle knife crime and violence...

"Knife-carrying is all too prevalent in some communities, particularly in the west of Scotland, and has cut short and scarred too many young lives... People must realise that swords cause horrific injuries when they get into the wrong hands. We routinely see incidents involving swords, which result in appalling injuries."

Something wrong with peoples heads if they start outlawing the swords again in the highlands... next they'll be outlawing the kilts again, and then they'll be having a revolution... again... OK so maybe it wouldn't go that far, but c'mon people, banning SWORDS?? I know they've gone a little nutty in the UK with all the draconian police state emulation, but does no-one over there recall the perils of repeating history?

As a sword collector proud of his Scottish heritage, I have but one thing to say...

And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR CLAAAYMOOORES!

Well at least I live in a nation that recognizes and protects my right to bear arms... oh wait...

Pic of the Week 20070321

Yes it's early, but I have the time now and the rest of the week looks crazy...



While my initial thought was, "The sandworms are here!" in actuality this sinkhole killed an unknown number of people. It's 300 feet deep. Here's some more pictures from the site in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

That's just freakishly crazy.

Venturing into Blackfathom Deeps

If you know nothing about WoW, or could really care less, then read no further. You'll be bored silly. Otherwise, let me regale you with my weekend exploit with my new Guild, The Lothlorien Knights on my server Ravencrest.

So my new alt, Nirvaena, is a Blood Elf Paladin. I've really been enjoying playing the Pally, and had gotten her up to 28 before the weekend. The big Paladin quest that we get at level 20 (The Path of the Adept) involves gathering materials for a kick-butt main weapon. I'd been putting it off, mainly because I've already got a very nice one, but also because three of the items require runs into instances, which are hard to solo.

Now I got the first item easily enough just while running another quest, and did a quick pick-up group for the first low-level instance (which I had tried to solo, an expensive mistake as I died several times) to get the second. The third item required an instance I'd never done before, Blackfathom Deeps, which takes a group of up to 5 people and levels 20-30.

The guild I had recently joined seems like a really good set of people, and it's pretty big too (little over 120 members, mostly mains with a few alts). So I got onto Guild chat and asked if anyone was bored and wanted to do a run through BFD. To my surprise I got two other Pallys (34, 21) and a Hunter (33) who immediately joined up and made their way to me.


Long story short, we had a blast. Beat up all the monsters, some of us died but having other Pallys around was nice for instant resurrection, and we didn't wipe once. Even after fighting Twilight Lord Kelris, and we figured out by accident that when you light the fires there the side doors open up a whole load of whoop-ass full creatures on your head. And when we fought the bloody Murlocs and accidentally pulled the entire room on us. Ouch. Still we managed to survive, and helped each other out. It was simply the best time I've ever had playing the game. And I dinged another level.

I can't wait till the next time I have several hours to sit down again and type into Guild chat: "So, who's up for Shadowfang Keep this time around?"