No remote access to Macs for updates? No problem!

I was looking into getting remote desktop access to some of the Macs I manage. The reason? As a lazy (in a good way) sysadmin, I didn't want to keep going down to my lab to update the Macs when security patches came out. I wanted something that came with the box, a la Windows Remote Desktop (RDP). I didn't want to install third party products like VNC or pay for anything extra.

Voilà, here is the solution:

ssh username@remotehost
sudo softwareupdate -l
sudo softwareupdate -i name_of_update

Firefox 2.0.0.4 doesn't like limited users

I run as a limited user on my XP machines, and Firefox 2.0.0.4 doesn't like this. Even after I install/upgrade Firefox as an admin user, I get "One or more files could not be updated..." each time I run Firefox as my regular user.

Josh Flanagan has a fix for this. I hope the Mozilla folks fix this for the next release or my confidence will begin flagging.

DNS Attacks

Interesting reading about the internet's Achilles heel.

DNS Amplification Attacks (packetstorm)
DNS Amplification Attacks (ripe)
DNS Cache Poisoners - Lazy, Stupid, or Evil?

New data views

These innovations are all interesting ways of looking at existing data in new ways. This is something that holds enormous potential.

* Where's SPAM coming from? Uses Google Maps to display spam sources.
* Enthusiast uses Google to reveal Roman ruins.
* MIT researchers map city by cellphone.

Open Source rules!

I've been using various open source packages for a while, but I thought I'd start letting other folks really know about them. I'm handing out Firefox to friends and encourage you to do the same! All are community supported and free!

Some of my favorites:

Firefox is an open source web browser with built-in search bar from Google, IMDB, and others.

Open Office is a complete application suite alternative to Microsoft Office, including a FrontPage-like web page editor.

I've just started using the GIMP, a powerful alternative to PhotoShop.

You can get these, and many other tools all wrapped up in an easy-to-use CD at TheOpenCD.org.

Greater Seattle Linux Users Group (GSLUG)

I attended my first meeting on Saturday. It was a hoot. There is a large and knowledgeable Linux community in Seattle. Tons of great info - all with a sense of humor. Check it out.

Greater Seattle Linux Users Group