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Re: Request for help: Debian firewall, and maybe some kernel upgrade tips
by Jared 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

> | Also. Is there any sort of firewall that is real > | easy to configure, something like this: > | > | [SuperEasyFirewall] > | Open=22,80,23 > | Blocked=22.23.34.43:[22,80] > | Closed=EverythingElse > | > | I don't understand why a firewall config has to be > | four miles long and so dern complicated! > | > | -Jared > > # clear the tables > iptables -F > # set the default for the INPUT chain to DROP > iptables -I INPUT -j DROP -i eth0 > # allow established and related connections > iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT -i eth0 -m state --state ESTABLISHED,RELATED > # Allow ports 22,23,80 > iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 22 > iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 23 > iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 80 > # Allow localhost connections > iptables -I INPUT -j ACCEPT -i lo > # Block this IP on port 22 and 80 > iptables -I INPUT -j DROP -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 22 -s 22.23.34.43 > iptables -I INPUT -j DROP -i eth0 -p tcp --dport 80 -s 22.23.34.43 > > > Chris Chris, Thank you! I now understand what iptables are doing. This helps a lot. -Jared

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RE: Migrating to Linux - WP
by Jared 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

> The big problem is that several courts require documents to be submitted > in Word Perfect format, and last I checked OpenOffice was not even > inporting WP, let alone saving a workable output. Look at the beta for openoffice 2.0, it now handles WordPerfect. Scroll about half of the way down this page: http://www.openoffice.org/dev_docs/features/2.0/index.html -Jared

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RE: Migrating to Linux - WP
by Jack 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

Well H E Double Hockey Sticks! It's about time! ;') I've also heard that there is and has been a Linux native version of WP for some time. I haven't used it in a while. I have an older registered and commercial version around somewhere. I found it worked ok. Don't remember if I had any complaints or speed issues, it's been that many years. Brian D. --- Jared wrote: > > Look at the beta for openoffice 2.0, it now handles > WordPerfect. > Scroll about half of the way down this page: __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: Request for help: Debian firewall, and maybe some kernel upgradetips
by Brian Kelsay 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

The IPCop firewall is fairly easy and meant to be only a firewall, although there are add-ons to make it more and it comes with squid so it can be your proxy. I think it is much better to have a dedicated device or system for something like a firewall. Just my opinion. IPCop does offer security updates which sometimes include the kernel. they are either at kernel 2.4.27 or 2.4.29 right now. .29 if you upgraded to ipcop 1.4.5, which I haven't yet. On Debian, try apt-cache search kernel-package, then after you pick the proper kernel for your system (i386, non-smp), do a apt-get install kernel-package. Watch the screen for some instructions on updating your boot menu or do it how you normally do. Brian Kelsay >>> Jared <> 04/13/05 10:39AM >>> I need some firewall help, for starters. At present, all I need open is SSH, WWW, and FTP. I tried this: http://www.rexx.com/~dkuhlman/iptables_install.html but I'm installing on 3.0r1 with 2.2 kernel and got several error messages regarding incompatible kernel when I tried to start the firewall. I'd like to upgrade to a newer kernel, but can't seem to find any help on how to do this easily using apt-get. I think if I'm using 2.4 or 2.6 my problem with the firewall will go away. I do not have physical access to the box I'm working on, so need to be able to do all of this without physical intervention, or even the risk of it. What's the safest way to upgrade a Debian kernel? Also. Is there any sort of firewall that is real easy to configure, something like this: [SuperEasyFirewall] Open=22,80,23 Blocked=22.23.34.43:[22,80] Closed=EverythingElse I don't understand why a firewall config has to be four miles long and so dern complicated! -Jared

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Zone File Help
by Paul Taylor 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

Hi all, I'm new to configuring DNS. I believe my set up is simple. I have ftp, mail, dns, and www on the same machine. Can anyone check out my log file and two zone files. This page has the files http://www.gotopinion.info/linux/index.html Please e-mail me recommendations. Thanks, Paul

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Re: $100 laptop running Linux
by Brian Kelsay 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

I didn't say that. Thanks to this Piece o crap mail client my conversations aren't threaded or indented properly. I'd have to manually put the greater than symbol on each line. If AOhelL were to distribute such a thing, it would ONLY work with AOhelL This is how I got my webplayer. Virgin launched a free ISP and sent out these laptop like devices running Linux on a disk on chip w/ a geode processor. The box prolly cost around a couple hundred. It had and has severe limitations. That same box, you could prolly make for a hundred today or maybe even $90, but it will be old tech. It's a P-200 equivalent and came w/ 64MB ram and I think a 64MB disk on chip, 10 inch screen of low quality. I'll bring it sometime and you can see what I've done to it so far. Brian Kelsay >>> Oren Beck <oren_beck(a)hotmail.com> 04/12/05 03:57PM >>> Brian Kelsay wrote: > Yes, the cost of replacement is far greater than the > cost of the computer, when you're talking about > Windows. Especially when the licenses are tied to the > hardware. > > So a corporation might hold onto a low productivity > computer rather than engage in an expensive upgrade of > which only a small part is the cost of the computer. <snip> Or perhaps AOL deciding to saturate the market with cheap computers suited to their target market of new zero base users. IF the "fresh meat" has zero to unlearn Linux is more viable! Oren " Like- how weird- there were these stacks of aol free trial disposable laptops"

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Re: OSS Consulting tols
by Jared 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

> From: Frank Wiles <frank(a)wiles.org> > > On Mon, 11 Apr 2005 15:12:47 -0700 (PDT) > Jack <quiet_celt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > >>> Anyione know of any OSS consulting tools for >>> estimating software projects? >>> Or anyone have any tips on how to estimate hours for a >>> php/mysql project? LAMP project? >>> I have a consulting gig and could use any tips in >>> calculating different tasks. I not had to estimate >>> hours for PHP or mysql before and am a bit out of my >>> depth on time to code and fix. Analysis, design, >>> testing, etc I can probably handle. > > You won't find a good tool for this. The main reason is it would > differ greatly between a PHP/MySQL project, a Java/Oracle project, > and a mod_perl/PostgreSQL project. Not to mention skill and speed > of the coder, existance of home grown libraries, professionalism, > good coding practices vs spaghetti code, etc, etc, etc. > > What might take me 30 hours could take you 3 or vice versa. > > What I usually do is figure out how long my last project took and > estimate the size difference between the two. But then again I > don't bill by hour anymore, it's just not in anyone's best interests. > > Another trick is to guess on hours based on number of different pages > and number of database tables involved. But then again, it really > comes down to how you write software. Only you can truly estimate > how long it's going to take you. > > What I would suggest is write a very very very detailed requirements > document with the customer that spells out exactly what is to be > built. Not just "Will store customer infromation", but "Will > store any number of possible phone numbers for the customer including > area code and with the ability to store Extenstion numbers for > office numbers. There is no need to store country code information > as all customers will be in the United States". > > Then, estimate what the project is worth the client, weigh in how > much of your time you estimate it will take, and bid somewhere in > the middle. > > If it's worth X to the customer and you think it will take Y hours > to build which works out (at your typical hourly rate ) to be Z > dollars. The bid should be somewhere in the middle of X and Z. > > For example, let's say X is $5,000. Based on your normal hourly > rate you would guess this should cost $3,000. Make the bid $4,000. > Not an "estimate of $4,000", but a "This will cost you $4,000". > This gives you some wiggle room for your time if things take longer > than you expected. > > This is more fair to both you and the customer, but is sometimes hard > to swallow and hard to sell. The trick is to get detailed enough in > your requirements so you don't get screwed on mid-stream changes. And > you have to stick by your guns that any significant midstream changes > result in the cost going up. > > With this system you are covered for any small changes or time > estimate inaccuracies and the customer is covered because they > have a fixed cost. Is it the customer's fault you screwed up > half way through and had to spend 20 extra hours? No, that's your > fault and it shouldn't be billed to the customer, etc, etc, etc. > > --------------------------------- > Frank Wiles <frank(a)wiles.org> > http://www.wiles.org > --------------------------------- The previous is all good, experienced advice. The original question is for a Blue Book of Quotes for Software Development, but I really cannot imagine such a thing, since software development has so many variables. The feller who codes it in 30 hours might do a better job than the one who does it in 10 hours, and there really is no way to calculate all of that. Are you creating software from scratch? Or modifying and extending existing code? Does the customer need strong separation of code from layout, or is this a one-off job that will need little modification in the future; ie do you need a templating system? Will you work with an existing CMS as your platform, or build your own security modules? What are your existing code snippet libraries like? All of these can strongly affect the time you need. Quality, detailed requirements definition will isolate your costs to a measurable level. Break it down into a dozen (or a hundred) smaller tasks and put smaller time estimates beside each one... making sure to specify what you won't do, when you can, so that you have a handle on scope creep. I think if you got some requirements together with your estimates of hours and posted it to the list, other developers could give you a second opinion, that might be one way to answer your question. Let me know if you turn up with such a Blue Book. -Jared

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Re: $100 laptop running Linux
by Brian Kelsay 12 Apr '05

12 Apr '05

Not the normal to large corporations. They get rid of stuff in a scheduled manner. A PC reaches 3 yrs and its gone. When the warranty is up, its time to ditch it. Typically someone pulls it from commission right before its warranty is up, checks to see if any parts need replacement and then while it's still working they get rid of it. This all happens if they are organized and have a PC lifecycle plan in place. Sometimes financial concerns or manpower shortages cause these schedules to slip and then all hell breaks loose at some point. Tons of equipment failures at the same time or so many PCs to replace all at once that you must hire contractors to make the scheduled replacements. It's all about planning. Brian Kelsay >>> Leo Mauler <> 04/09/05 11:53AM >>> --- Brian Kelsay <> wrote: > Often the problem in a corporate environment, the > newest version of Windows must be run (XP w/ SP1 or > 2) along with virus scanning, big email clients, > latest office suite and nearly all software that an > employee might ever use since you want a > one-size-fits-all image for the PC. There is always > even more software to load for specialty jobs like > program development. Yes, the cost of replacement is far greater than the cost of the computer, when you're talking about Windows. Especially when the licenses are tied to the hardware. So a corporation might hold onto a low productivity computer rather than engage in an expensive upgrade of which only a small part is the cost of the computer.

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OSS Consulting tols
by Jack 11 Apr '05

11 Apr '05

Anyione know of any OSS consulting tools for estimating software projects? Or anyone have any tips on how to estimate hours for a php/mysql project? LAMP project? I have a consulting gig and could use any tips in calculating different tasks. I not had to estimate hours for PHP or mysql before and am a bit out of my depth on time to code and fix. Analysis, design, testing, etc I can probably handle. Thanks, Brian __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site! http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/

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Re: $100 laptop running Linux
by Leo Mauler 09 Apr '05

09 Apr '05

--- Brian Kelsay <Brian.Kelsay(a)kcc.usda.gov> wrote: > Often the problem in a corporate environment, the > newest version of Windows must be run (XP w/ SP1 or > 2) along with virus scanning, big email clients, > latest office suite and nearly all software that an > employee might ever use since you want a > one-size-fits-all image for the PC. There is always > even more software to load for specialty jobs like > program development. Yes, the cost of replacement is far greater than the cost of the computer, when you're talking about Windows. Especially when the licenses are tied to the hardware. So a corporation might hold onto a low productivity computer rather than engage in an expensive upgrade of which only a small part is the cost of the computer. > >>> Steven Danz <> 04/07/05 08:31PM >>> > Leo Mauler wrote: > > > I have a PII-300Mhz I purchased for about > > $240 six months ago. The 500Mhz laptops > > at HyperTech computers (87th & Farley) are > > right between $300-$400. > > > > 300Mhz is decent enough for most things, > > not very good for video (VideoCD-quality > > MPEG1 videos run fairly well) but it will > > let me do basic graphics editing and browse > > on the Internet without painful > > "chuggachuggachugga" waits for the swap. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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