OK. I admit it. DCoT Menu hasn’t even been out for a full week and I’ve already updated it. So, like most upgrades, there is good news and bad news.
The good news is that version 1.1.0.4 it is backward compatible with the older versions of configuration files so there is no need to rebuild those files.
There are three new options that are available. In your application configuration file, you can now use WorkingDirectory (sets the applications working directory) and Parameters (command line parameters that the application accepts) as key works.
The upgrade path is also very simple. Just copy DCoTMenu.exe from the archive to your USB drive and you are ready to go.
The bad news? You need to upgrade all your DCoT enabled USB drives!
I’m still working on this application and am planning to continue to add new functionality as time permits.
Wireless networking has been one of the best innovations to the IT industry, both at home and at the office. It provides a great amount of freedom to the user while still giving reasonable speeds. And the cost has dropped so much in the past number of years that it is generally in the price range for the majority of computer users.
Now, one of the issues that has always been in the back of my mind about WiFi and other wireless devices such as cordless phones is the fact that they run in the unlicensed wireless spectrum. This means that pretty much anyone and his dog can put together a low wattage device that runs in that specific frequency range without having to ask anyone’s permission first. This means that if you and your neighbor each have a wireless network set up and you both are running in the same channel and frequency, you can easy cause each other networking problems all quite innocently.
But, what if I wasn’t so innocent? Take, for example, the Wave Bubble. Here are complete plans and instructions for building a low frequency signal jammer. It is small enough to fit in a package of cigarettes, runs of batteries that can be recharged from a USB port, and it is capable of knocking out any wireless signal within a 20 ft radius.
“So what? A 20 ft radius isn’t that big. My server room is larger than that!” This may be but let’s consider the following:
So, let’s say that you are running a small network as depicted in the diagram.
Each access point is connected to the previous access point via the wireless backhaul with the first access point connected wirelessly to the server room. Several systems are accessing each access point, represented in this diagram by the laptops and workstations.
Now, let’s assume that someone were to fire up this WiFi jammer under the desk of an individual user. We would see one user lose connectivity. Not really a big deal.
But, what if they were to run the jammer beside the bottom access point? We would then see all systems that rely on that access point lose connectivity. Starting to get worried, yet?
What if I were to put the jammer beside the middle access point? Now we have three access points and all of the system that rely on them without connectivity.
And if I wanted to be particularly nasty, I’d set up the jammer right in the server room, plugged into the server’s USB port. This would jam all wireless access to the server room along with constantly charging the batteries from the USB port so that the jammer would continue to run indefinitely.
So, now that we are all suitably scared, what can we do to help protect ourselves? Here are a few tips:
Always wire your access points. This way, you cannot be jammed from the server.
Wire access points directly back to the central switch and try to avoid bridging your connections. This will help prevent a cascade effect.
Do periodic audits of your “air space”.
Don’t broadcast that you are using wireless technology. Turn off your SSID on your wireless systems.
Do not place server rooms on an external wall. This could allow someone to jam your wireless link without even entering your office.
Catalog and label all server room hardware. Periodically audit your hardware lists.
Tightly restrict physical access to your server rooms.
Train all employees to immediately questions unaccompanied strangers in the office.
It is very important that you keep your wireless network safe and secure. Having your network ripped out from under you is almost as bad as having someone access it without proper authorization.
I’ve always been impressed by people who know enough about the Linux operating system to build their own distribution or LiveCD. I have been struggling through building Linux from scratch but I haven’t had the time to work on it as of late. I think it would be cool to have your own customized distribution or at least version of a Linux distribution.
Well, I just happened to stumble upon Reconstructor today. It give you the ability to create a custom distribution of Ubuntu so that it runs the way you want it to out of the box.
From their website:
Reconstructor is a Live CD creator for Ubuntu Linux.
It uses the Ubuntu Linux Live CD as a base, and then allows customization of boot screens (usplash), gnome settings, and software (you can also use the chroot environment to make other changes before creating the live cd).
Reconstructor uses the solid Ubuntu foundation, and allows for extensive customization. For example, create a custom Live CD with blender, inkscape, etc. included for a friend in graphics, or simply use econstructor to re-brand your environment (wallpaper, fonts).
It’s a pretty simple program to use. The screenshots tell you exactly what to expect.
The current version of Reconstructor is 2.1-1 and there are several modules available for it.
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
As you may have noticed already, things are slowing down a bit on DCoT. With family commitments and all the hustle and bustle of the season, I find that my spare time to keep the blog up is dwindling. I will also be on the road for a few days, away from my precious systems and the only internet connection that I will have is (GASP!) dial-up, making it even more difficult to update the blog.
So, with that in mind, I want to wish everyone all the best of season to you and yours. I hope that you find peace and happiness in the coming year.
Now, if you are not as tightly schedules as I am over the next week or so and you are looking at some tech projects to tackle, here are a few suggestions:
OK. I admit it. DCoT Menu hasn’t even been out for a full week and I’ve already updated it. So, like most upgrades, there is good news and bad news.
Wireless networking has been one of the best innovations to the IT industry, both at home and at the office. It provides a great amount of freedom to the user while still giving reasonable speeds. And the cost has dropped so much in the past number of years that it is generally in the price range for the majority of computer users.
I’ve always been impressed by people who know enough about the Linux operating system to build their own distribution or LiveCD. I have been struggling through building 
