Linux – setserial command
Oct0
Serial ports on Linux are named ttyS followed by a number corresponding to the actual DOS COM port. For example
ttyS0 –> COM1
ttyS1 –> COM2
ttyS2 –> COM3
ttyS3 –> …you get the idea
The /dev directory holds information essential to operating these ports. setserial lists and configure the serial port configurations. To list all the serial ports, type
ls /dev/ttys*
setserial -g /dev/ttyS* prints out the configuration information for each serial port
Linux – date command
Oct0
To change the date and time, type su, enter your password, then become root. Or sudo if you have a different setup.
You must adhere to the following format when setting date and time
MMDDhhmmCCYY.ss
MM 2 digits month
DD 2 digits day of the month
hh 2 digits hour in 24-hour clock format
mm 2 digits minute
CC 2 digits century
YY 2 digits year
ss 2 digit seconds
For example: change the date and time to October 10 2008, 11:34:35 EDT
Change Date/Time
steps to successfully authenticate through an ISA Proxy on Linux
Oct0
Who need this?
A person who is using Linux and try to authenticate himself/herself through Microsoft ISA Proxy.
Does Linux use ISA Proxy Authentication?
I’m not 100% sure but I know for a fact that even if you set System Proxy Settings, apt-get still is not going to work. I did some search on google and found that apt-get does not understand the algorithm used in the ISA server.
How to fix this?
Download, configure, and run NTLM, a program that enable apt-get to understand ISA Proxy Authentication algorithm.
Where to get this file?
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=69259
Download and extract the gz file
Download the file then extract the folder onto your Desktop.
How to configure?
I’m using Ubuntu 8.0.4, the instruction may be different if you are using a different Linux flavor.
You can read the INSTALL file included in the package, but if you don’t want to you can read the image instruction (that’s why I’m writing this post).
Navigate to the NTLMaps folder using whichever method best suited for you. I’m a beginner so I use the GUI way.
NTLMaps Folder
Double click on the server.cfg to open up the file. Now you can configure your proxy. Now inside this file, there are many lines like the one below that allow you to configure your proxy settings. You will have to go through the entire text file to look for these lines.
Listening port on NTLMaps
Leave this port alone unless you want to use a different port.
Parent Proxy/Port
Put your parent proxy address and port number here.
Windows domain
The text suggests that you should put only the NT Domain name, not full qualified domain name. I put my company’s full qualified domain name and it still works, your company may be different, try the full qualified domain name if the NT domain name does not work out for you.
Windows Username
Put your network log on name here. My company uses Windows logon username to authenticate through the proxy, your company may be different.
Windows Password
Put your network log on password here. My company uses Windows logon password to authenticate through the proxy, your company may be different.
Now the basic configuration is complete, how do I start this program?
Start Terminal, navigate to your NTLMaps folder, type python main.py to start the program
Start NTLMaps
Now how do I tell Linux to direct all Microsoft proxy authentication to NTLMaps?
The instruction is also included in the server.cfg file but you can read the images if that’s better for you.
Network Proxy
Network Proxy Configure
Navigate to SystemPreferencesNetwork Proxy and select Manual proxy configuration. Enter 127.0.0.1 for HTTP Proxy and port 5865. Make sure you also check the box “Use the same proxy for all protocols.”
Now you are done. All proxy authentication will not be directed back to NTLMaps for process.
Conclusion
This method WORKS. You can browse the internet as well as using apt-get. However, Website access is slower now since you have to authenticate again by going through NTLMaps.
Why people don’t want to pay to repair their computers ?
Sep0
To be honest with you guys, I don’t exactly know for sure but I have theorized some answers based on my 6 months working at a huge computer maker [company]:
1) First, users who know absolutely nothing about the computer think the computer is the problem, not themselves.
I remember talking to this insane customer on the phone long ago. He claimed that [company] needs to reimburse him for the loss of his data due to the the [company]’s defective HDD. As normal procedure for a call center, I told him that his warranty on the laptop does not cover for the loss of data that may occur during either normal or abnormal operation, but then of course he wouldn’t listen. I told the guy I would replace the HDD for free but not the data (duh stupid).
2) Second, computer users think everything that is related to technology should be free. No I’m serious, this is an “out of this world, GTFO, WTF, are you serious” idea but it’s a reality in today’s world.
Let me give you an example. We all know the famous Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc…). I bet we all know how popular it is, how useful it is, and most important how expensive it is. Despite my respect for appreciating the makers of all things, most of my customers on the phone do not. Usually 10% of my phone call is related to this type of situation where my customers assume Microsoft Office should be shipped along with Microsoft Windows. I got nothing else to say here but “stupidity is contagous.”
Let’s take a look at another ridiculous situation. This guy called me around 8 p.m. on Saturday for a repair on his out-of-warranty laptop. I quoted him a price and he told me it should be free. I asked him why and he said “Well, my HP lasted 3 years and this one only lasts for a year, it’s unacceptable.” Now let’s imagine him being at the car dealer trying to negotiate the repair cost of his 1998 Mercedes E320 by saying “Well my Honda lasted 200k miles, this one only lasts 100k miles, it’s unacceptable.” You get the message.
We can’t leave this section just yet, let’s talk about the the last but also MOST famous situation of all, configuring wireless. At [company], wireless problems related call is so common, it’s so common that [company] even drafted a special sheet of what they call “responsiblity sheet” to identify if the tech rep should disengage from the call the moment he hears the buzz word. Here are some of the buzz word from the sheet and from my experience:
- I try to use the wireless from the Bonzo’s wireless network (wireless pirates alert, ask the pertinent question “Sir, are you the owner of the network?”. Usually they hang up after this question.)
- I need help configuring my router (and the manufacture’s technical support phone number is…)
- How do I use wireless (wireless for dummies is available for sale now on amazon.com)
But anyway, this isn’t really a repair situation but if things don’t work, they are defective that in turn can be repaired. If you do not go to a Mercedes dealer to ask them to show you how to operate the radio, you shouldn’t call your computer’s maker up to ask them to show you how to send an email. All things cost money either mentally or physically, in this case, it’s physical, US dollars $.
Questions your interviewer may not want to hear
Sep0
Job interview has changed dramatically in the past few years; as a matter of fact it has evolved. Job interview is no longer a work of art; it’s a work of science. I remember when I came to America in 1999, my interview at Win-Dixie was simply a business meeting where I expressed my interests in the job and what I can do for the company. Nowadays, not only you are required to perform excellent (anything else is mere garbage considering the current economic slowdown) at the job interview, but you are also required to perform additional computer tests at the company’s discretion.
These computerized tests are drafted by computer science professional who holds PhD in psychology and the tests are nothing more but a bunch of predetermined questions that come with a boat load of predetermined answers; all of which are made to find out if you are a good “fit” for the company. Worse, most companies even use the same algorithm from the computerized tests in their interview questions. What does this mean in plain English is that most of your questions and answers, and probably all of them will be evaluated not only by a human being, but also by a stupid computer.
I do not discourage you on asking questions at the interview, I only suggest you to not ask the wrong questions. Nervously enough, you are making conversation with your interviewer, a person who you never met in your life, should you not only speak your language but also theirs?
So please be intelligent at the interview (unless you aren’t), but also be smart, you are playing their computer games now. If you have to ask the following questions, think twice before doing so:
1) How many days off do I have?
This may sound like a valid question since it is related to the benefit section. However, your hiring manager may think you like to stay home more than to stay at work. Especially when interviewing for busy call center job such as Technical Support Rep or Phone Support Rep that requires 24/7/365 availability of all its operation, this question will really push you off the cliff.
2) How much do I get paid?
The validity of this question will appear bolder when you propose the question later on in the interview. Imagine asking this question right in the beginning of the conversation, you will appear no more than a blood sucking money will do anything for money corporate white collar.
** More questions coming up tomorrow -
** If you think this post has spelling and grammar errors, try this draft below
So you want to lock down your computer but…
Sep0
then your computer is at work and your boss says you need to hook it up to the domain. Speaking of which, your boss can then use his domain administrator password to access your computer? But wait, how about your other IT Help Desk personnel, they can also unlock your computer with the domain administrator account or simply by using the local administrator account.
There aren’t any real solution to this dilema but simply by telling your boss and your co-workers not to access your computer. But then, what if you just have to go out of your way to secure your computer, here is my guide:
1) Pretend that you are ON the network but you are NOT on the network
- The trick is to create a virtual OS on your computer and then join that computer onto the domain under the same computer name like your physical computer.
- U-njoin your computer from the domain. Go to the server and delete your computer from the network.
- Buy VM-ware Workstation and install an OS on it. Start the new virtual OS and join it into the domain under the same name from the deleted physical computer name.
_ The entire procedure will make your network administrator think that you are on the network but really you are not on the network.
- Now on the physical computer, you still can access the Internet, but probably not email (if you use MS Exchange), or like administering Windows 2003 server through the Windows 2003 Administration Tool. On the virtual machine, you will be able to do everything like you use to do with your physical computer that used to be on the domain.
2) Remove administrator privilege on the local administrator account
- The local administrator account’s name is administrator and you cannot remove the administrator privileges from the local administrator account unless you create an additional administrator account. But then it’s not that straightforward like you think, keep reading.
- First rename the local administrator account to something exotic, like Bender. You will have to change that in group policy. Go to run -> gpedit.msc -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> Then double click on “Accounts: Rename the administrator account.” Now change it to something else.
Group Policy
- Now Right click on My Computer -> Manage. Now navigate to System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Groups -> Look on the right hand side, double click on Administrators -> Remove administrator from the window -> Click Apply, then Ok to set the permissions.
Remove local administrator account
Remove local administrator account
- Now go back out to Local Users and Groups -> double click on Users -> double click on administrator -> Now set a password for this local administrator account (usually every company as a pre-determined password for the local administrator account, set the password to this password to make your boss think that this is the “real” local administrator account).
- The local administrator account is now changed to Bender, which is something no one knows. The account name “administrator” now is no longer a local administrator of the computer. Your boss still can log onto your computer thinking he still has access to it but he doesn’t. I deny all read permission to all of my personal folders and files. The “administrator” account can log on and navigate to all folders but unable to view my files.
3) Increase mass security on your now-local computer
- The following method will not work if you are in a domain. Usually and most likely, all domain administrators disable local group policy or create a domain group policy that takes precedence of the local group policy.
- Go to run -> gpedit.msc -> Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Local Policies -> Security Options -> Double click on the following:
Do not display user info when session is locked
- When you lock your computer, Windows will not display the current user’s information.
Do not display last username
- Your computer will not show the last person who logged on. This is beneficial to you since your boss won’t know your “rea” local administrator account name but that also means you won’t know who accessed your computer last time.
How many retards does it take to be a retard?
Sep0
This is my original ad on Craigslist regarding selling my iMac 20.”
imac_craigslist
Anyway, on the first day it was posted, I received all stupid inquiries from these ridiculous people. So here are they
1) Ok this guy asks if I have 4GB of memory in the computer. This is just plain stupidity coming from probalby the stupidest person in the universe. I mean if I don’t have 4GB in the computer, should I be saying how many GB of ram I have in it? May be 1, 2, 3??? But I wrote 4GB so yes it must have 4GB of memory. And since the computer can only support 4GB of memory, this is the maximum of memory you can upgrade.
And wait, my ad specifically says “All email inquiries will be deleted.” Why am I getting this email?
2) The second person is Jason who is also another retard. He asked if the computer has 4GB of memory. And why he emails me anyway ?
stupid jason
3) This person is probably a bigger retard than the other two above. He offered me $750 for the iMac, and my ad specifically says “If you can’t pay $900, do not call me.” Why ?????
4) Another retard tried to negotiate the price instead.
5) Stupidity is bliss. This idiot claims he lives in Georgia and wants to know if the price is negotiable. Does he even read the ad? And of course, I want cash only so that means you can either send me cash in the mail or give me cash in person
6) Why are they emailing me anyway, I thought I said all email inquiries will be deleted. These people probably don’t have any money but want to buy expensive stuff. Then they try to offer stupid price on the item so that they can buy it. And yet, they probably can’t even afford what they offer. Lord have mercy !
What kind of question is “available for sale now”, no it’s only available to sell tomorrow, may be next year, and I post the ad just to tell the universe that I’m selling it next year, you retard !
