The light is on the horizon . . . |
It's February, it's still cold, and it's still getting way too dark way too early. But – the light is on the horizon. The new year with all its promise is here. I'm continuing to read the predictions, and still seeing the same things – enterprise social networking, the cloud, green IT, enterprise mobile workers, unified communications, collaboration, high-IQ networks, more wireless, wireless app-to-app communication. And so on. The bottom line is – more communications, more wireless, more collaboration. In other words, everything's on line.
We'll be able to access any application from any location from any device at any time. It's so much closer than we think. Make sure you're ready and keeping current. I see this year moving fast. Don't fall behind.
Here's the schedule or you can view the complete schedule on our Website:
CSTA Web sessions:
March 3, 4
April 14, 15
UITJ (Understanding IT Jobs) Web sessions:
March 4
TR Web sessions:
February 10
Keep in touch - I love hearing from you - and keep up with technology!
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Linux - Still Growing
We all know what Linux is; it's an operating system. It's based on Unix (name stands for Linus' Unix) thus designed with a kernel and a shell. The kernel does all the work and the shell lets you communicate with the kernel. Linux is open source software, meaning that it's published. Techies can read the code and they know exactly how it works. The Linux kernel was originally written by Linus Torvalds while still a student at the University of Helsinki. The first code was released in 1991 and was basically Linus' kernel and some tools from GNU's Free Software Foundation. Linus invited techies to help him expand the operating system, and version 1.0 was released in 1994. With many people, companies, and organizations contributing, the current kernel is 2.6, released in 2003 (well, the actual latest release is 2.6.32.7 released January 26, 2010 for you detail people).
What can get confusing is the many versions of Linux that are available. These are called distributions (or distros), and a distribution has many parts. First is the kernel, but a kernel alone can't work. While it provides the basic services and device drivers, much more is needed. Server systems need, e.g., security, web, application and proxy servers, file managers, and virtualization software. Desktop systems need, e.g., a desktop environment with a GUI (Graphic User Interface), office software, and a browser. So even though most of the 200+ distributions run the 2.6 kernel, it's the combination of all the parts that makes them different. Sometimes techies talk about Linux in general; sometimes they talk about a specific distribution.
What makes the distributions different? First, some are commercial - produced to be marketed to the business world. Commercial products are designed for the corporate/enterprise world and provide support and documentation. On the other side consumer products are designed for individuals. Within both those categories are both server and desktop distributions. Linux servers are directly competitive with Unix and Windows, and in fact Linux servers are growing faster than either of the other two. Server Linux was actually accepted faster than Linux on the desktop, but here too Linux is growing Desktop distributions can, e.g., give users a firewall and boot the entire operating system from a floppy disk or CD-ROM. Or, they can be preloaded on a laptop (both Dell and Lenovo do so with some laptop models).
Finally the smallest distributions (embedded Linux) are built into smartphones, netbooks, and even wristwatches, and the largest systems (mainframe Linux) run on the mainframes and supercomputers. While these represent the two opposite ends of the size scale, their commonality is that both are completely customized for the specific machine(s) on which they run.
Major Commercial Distributions
The major commercial distributions come from Red Hat and Novell and both companies produce both server and desktop systems. Remember – it's a commercial distribution if it's designed for corporate, not consumer, use.
Red Hat – RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux). Version 5.4 released: September, 2009.
Novell –SLES (SUSE Linux Enterprise Server) and SLED (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop). Version 11 released: March, 2009.
And major desktop distros:
CentOS, a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat. Two versions - one compatible with Red Hat, the other not.
Debian, a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles.
Fedora, open source, free download. Supported by Red Hat.
Gentoo Linux, a distribution targed at Power user known for its FreeBSD Ports like automated system for compiling applications from source code.
GNewSense, based on t_blank, which is based on Debian and contains only t_blank.
Knoppix, runs from a CD and does not have to be installed on a hard disk. Derived from Debian.
Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu (operating system).
Mandriva Linux, a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name.
OpenSUSE, open source, free download. Supported by Novell.
Oracle Enterprise Linux, which is a derivative of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, maintained and commercially supported by Oracle.
PCLinuxOS, a derivative of Mandriva, which grew from a group of packages into a community-spawned desktop distribution.
t_blank - Run it with Windows on a netbook. Costs $20.
Sabayon Linux, Gentoo based distribution, aiming at working out of the box.
SimplifyMEPIS, a Debian-based distribution intended for easy desktop use and strong support.
Slackware, one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and still actively maintained.
Ubuntu (operating system), a popular desktop or server distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical Ltd. Ubuntu also has a netbook version called the Ubuntu netbook remix.
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1. Who was the most influential person in technology during the last decade?
2. Does the Kindle have any competition?
3. What's the latest government regulation that is appearing in IT job requisitions?
4. We know firewalls prevent people from accessing… That's the question, accessing what?
5. Is "unified communications" a Cisco term or product?
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One of the things that's really fun about technology is new people enter the field all the time. And, with the new technologies, new products, it keeps you on your toes. If you're new to IT, or know a recruiter just starting - TR Program (Technical Recruiting) is the only training available – anywhere – designed for technical recruiting.
It covers the recruiting life cycle, from job requisition to negotiation, concentrating on techies:
-Sourcing finding techie resumes
-Screening going through a techie resume, and asking questions during a technical screen
-Interviewing - the official interview – the recruiters part
-Negotiating what's important to techies so they'll take your job
Attendees receive a session guide and an Addenda full of lists, recruiting forms (which can be modified), and helpful suggestions. They also receive access to Recruiting Links, a portal site for technical recruiters.
All the predictions for IT in 2010 are good. Companies say they will be hiring; new technologies require new hires; and products released in 2009 will be taking root in 2010.
Be prepared!
TR Program (Technical Recruiting) February 10, 2010 10:30AM – 4:30PM EST e.
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Destructive Software
We all know about viruses and trojans – but there's a whole lot of ways the bad guys can get into your computer systems. Most hackers really aren't malicious, but even a joke can be really annoying.
backdoor A type of program that is hidden and gives remote access and control over a PC to unauthorized persons. Backdoors are used by hackers to get into a system as an authorized user. Other destructive programs are called viruses, worms, Trojan Horses and logic bombs.
botnet Destructive software. A botnet is a collection of broadband-enabled PCs, hijacked during virus and worm attacks and seeded with software that connects back to a server to receive communications from a remote attacker. According to statistics released by Symantec, an average of 57,000 active bots was observed per day over the first six months of 2006, with 4.7 million distinct computers being actively used in botnets to spit out spam, launch DoS (denial of service) attacks, install malware or log keystrokes for identity theft.
DoS (denial of service); DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Destructive software which is characterized by an explicit attempt by attackers to prevent legitimate users of a service from using that service. An incident where users are deprived of resources they usually can access. It usually is the temporary loss of network connectivity and services, very often email. Commonly the result of a virus and not destructive to Web sites or data, but can be very damaging to business operations. Includes: "flooding" a network, thereby preventing le preventing gitimate network traffic disrupting connections between two machines, thereby preventing access to a service a particular individual from accessing a service disrupting service to a specific system or person. A DDoS is an attack that uses zombie programs to attack a central program from many individual systems.
logic bomb Destructive program that destroys data, but does not affect other programs. Also, a resident computer program that lies dormant for a period, and then triggers an unauthorized act when a certain event, such as a date, occurs. Other destructive programs are called viruses, worms, backdoors and Trojan Horses.
malware Computer virus. Software that is embedded and hidden in other software. Often used to describe Trojan Horses and back doors that are inserted into systems developed offshore.
phish attack, phishing scam Destructive software and Internet scam. An attempt to fool people into parting with personal information such as their credit card, driver's license and bank account numbers. The schemes typically involve e-mails with messages, return addresses, links and branding that appear to come from reputable companies. Latest attacks are phony political surveys and requests for contributions.
rootkit System monitoring software that provides administrator-level control of operating systems. While this software was originally designed to monitor system usage, it has been taken over by hackers who use it to break into systems. Considered to be a serious problem because the software is very difficult to detect and the only solution is completely erasing the hard disk and reinstalling the operating system. Available for many operating systems.
spyware Type of software that aids in gathering information about persons or organizations without their knowledge. Internet spyware is usually secretly installed in a computer to gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware is often inserted in systems through a virus or is sometimes hidden in purchased programs.
SQL injection Destructive software. A hacking technique which attempts to pass SQL commands (statements) through a web application to be executed by the backend database. Hackers can use Web features such as login pages, support and product request forms, feedback forms, search pages, and shopping carts to insert SQL that allows hackers to view information from the database and/or even wipe it out.
Trojan Horse A destructive program that is disguised as something benign, such as a directory lister, archiver, or game. Also a program that contains a virus. Other destructive programs are called viruses, worms, backdoors and logic bombs.
virus Computer program that attaches code to other programs. When these infected programs run, the unsuspected attached code can do very damaging things throughout the entire computer system. Entire systems can be deleted through viruses. A virus infects other programs within the computer system but cannot affect another system unless a person copies or downloads the affected program. Programs that have been affected by viruses are called "Trojan Horses." Other destructive programs are called worms, backdoors, and logic bombs.
XSS (cross-site scripting) Destructive software. Attack by hackers on Web applications where the attacker inserts client-side script into web pages viewed by other users. Major type of security problems with Web applications, and estimates state that over 60% of websites are open to XSS attacks.
zero-day (or zero-hour) attack, zero-day exploit Security. A computer threat that exposes undisclosed or unpatched computer application vulnerabilities. Zero-day attacks can be considered extremely dangerous because they take advantage of computer security holes for which no solution is currently available. Zero-day exploits are released before, or on the same day the problem (and, sometimes, the vendor patch) is released to the public. The term derives from the number of days between the public advisory and the release of the exploit.
Zombie Destructive software. A software program that allows a hacker to use a machine to perform a Denial Of Service attack against targets like web servers, ftp servers, and mail servers. Often Zombie programs are distributed to individual systems through email attachments. A hacker will usually locate several Zombie machines to launch a large attack against the target server, in order to make it busy so the site is effectively down thus causing a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. A zombie program is also called a drone.
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1. Steve Jobs. If you remember the list of the ten top products of the prior decade, three of them were Apple products – iPhone, iMac, and iPod. He has transformed the way that the music, video, and cellular phone industries do business.
2. Yes! Watch for the Blio ereader. It's a software product that runs on PCs (etc.) so you don't need a separate device. It also preserves color and design for the original print material so it's recommended for kids' books, magazines and the like.
3. It's 508. Or, Section 508. This government regulation requires electronic and information technology purchased by the government is accessible to people with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. It states 16 items which must be followed in order to be compliant with the section and knowing 508 is often a requirement for Web development.
4. Standard firewalls prevent people from accessing anything on a server, and are really network firewalls. But don't forget about WAFs (Web Application Firewalls). These prevent people from accessing a specific application.
5. Absolutely not! Cisco uses the term more than any other vendor, but unified communications is a major move in today's networking from not only Cisco, but also IBM, Avaya, Nortel, Microsoft, Polycon, etc. .
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