I did some more work on the customized linux distribution. Today, I started to check what my base host system needed in order to perform some of the distribution build tasks so I created a bash script to do just this. It is available at Linux from Scratch, The Saga.
I created a Daily Cup of Tech search engine that integrates into your Firefox search. Simply download the search file, extract the files to C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\searchplugins (assuming you installed it in the default location), and restart Firefox. You will now have a DCoT search!
I have decided that I would like a little more adventure and excitement in my life. But, staying true to my geeky nature. Thus, I have decided that I want to learn how to build a linux distribution from scratch. I haven’t got a clue as to what will all be involved, how hard it will be, how long it will take, nothing! I’m a blank slate! I am open to anything as far as this project is concerned.
I have also decided to take you, the loyal DCoT reader, along on my adventure. Read breathlessly as I reformat hard drives. Stare in wonder as I configure a cron job…
OK. It’s probably not going to be Indiana Jones IV: The Distro of Doom but I do think that I will learn some very interesting things along the way. I’ll log anything that I do on any given day for the project on the website. You can follow along on Linux from Scratch, The Saga.
Because this is going to be an irregularly updated article, it would be a good idea to sign up for updates at the bottom of the page.
I was waiting for some Windows and Ubuntu updates tonight and I ran across this simple, yet highly addictive game. The maker lets you embed a screen shot it into your page so here it is:
It is not a matter of “if”. It is a matter of “when”. I can guarantee that everyone who uses a computer on a regular basis will experience lost data at some time or another. They may have a hard drive failure, accidentally delete a file, lose a USB drive, or save overa crucial file. This is why I emphasize backing up your files.
Using an open source program called wget, I show you a very easy way to back up your website files in HowTo Backup Your Website Files (call the Obvious Name Police!). It is a very simple process and well worth your time if you have a website you want to protect.
In my article USB Drive AutoRun.inf Tweaking, I had a link to the Autorun Dabbler’s Toolkit. When writing that article, I committed the cardinal sin for bloggers: I didn’t check my links. I (wrongly) assumed that the upload software on my blog actually worked (how stupid is that!).
But, thanks to Mystech, I was made aware of the blunder and it is now fixed.
Torpark is designed as a portable app that you would, ultimately, run from a USB drive. But, many people are not skilled at installing applications that do not have an installer. I did not think that this should be a hindrance for people so I wrote a Torpark installer.
This article has the download link and a step by step howto for uning the installer to put Torpark on your computer.
I just wanted to say thanks to all of you out there who are visiting the site. There is a lot of work that goes into a blog that is updated daily. I average about two hours a day (or 5% of my life) in order to generate useful and interesting information. But, when I see the number of hits slowly and steadily increasing, that just encourages me to keep on going and to do more.
I also want to thank everyone for clicking on the Google Ads seen throughout the website. I have tried to put as few as possible on the website but it sure is nice when someone clicks on one of the ads. I make very little off these ads but I appreciate it when someone needs a product and they use the ads on my site to find it.
As you may or may not have realized yet, I am a bit of a personal privacy nut. I don’t want anyone knowing any more about me than I absolutely have to. I am also enamored with applications that will run entirely from a USB drive. Plus, freeware/open source has a tendency to turn my crank.
It is logical, then, that I would be completely over the moon about Torpark. It uses a series of web proxies to disguise where you are coming from on the Internet. It is based on Firefox Portable so it will run entirely from your USB drive and, yes boys and girls, it is free.
From Torpark’s website:
Torpark is a program which allows you to surf the internet anonymously. Download Torpark and put it on a USB Flash keychain. Plug it into any internet terminal whether at home, school, work, or in public. Torpark will launch a Tor circuit connection, which creates an encrypted tunnel from your computer indirectly to a Tor exit computer, allowing you to surf the internet anonymously. How much does Torpark cost? IT’S FREE.
Here are some important links for your research into Torpark:
The whole idea around Daily Cup of Tech is to share information. So, when I found out that there was a very quick and easy way to incorporate chat into my website, I jumped at the change.
You will now see on each post and article a Chat about this link. Click on this link and a chat window will open up showing all other people who are interested in chatting about that post or item. It is a great way to get ideas flowing!
I will attempt to be online to chat on each day’s topic for at least an hour or so but I can’t guarantee that I will always be available.
