Goodbye Linux Advocates. Hello World.

I've decided to close Linux Advocates.  It started out fun but turned into something else. People matter to me.  There's a Big World out there and Linux is one small facet of my life. I'll continue to hang out on Google Plus and, if the spirit moves me, write something on my personal website. Thanks to all the LA Contributors. So, Goodbye Linux Advocates.  Hello World. -- Dietri...

Read More

Comments Pre-Moderation is Now Off. Let the Cage Fight Begin.

It's 2015, last I checked.  I have set comments to post without pre-moderation.  Which is to say, you can write whatever you wish and it will post directly to DISQUS. If you are well behaved, things will be fine.  Otherwise, I will 'shoot and ask questions later'. ;) Let the Cage Fight begin! -- Dietrich P.S. I am looking for writers.  If you have the chops, send an email to: dietrich@linuxadvocates....

Read More

Fedora Does Real World Work. Debian is for Hobbyists

It's interesting to watch the pace of change with Linux on the Desktop. Want technology on the leading edge?  Fedora is here today with best of breed solutions, all of which merge to Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the largest commercial Linux Distribution in the World. Fedora was first to implement systemd. Fedora is first with a robust implementation of state of the art technologies including rpm-ostree and Docker on their Project Atomic...

Read More

Merry Christmas

Currier and Ives Winter (Image credit: familychristmasonline.com) Merry Christmas Folks.  -- Dietrich The Bible Story of Christm...

Read More

What Difference Does it Make if I Use Chrome vs. Firefox?

Free Mozilla Firefox Open Source Web Browser What difference does it make if I use Chrome vs. Firefox? Transparency: Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. It has been defined simply as "the perceived quality of...

Read More

Using Extensible Blockchain to Sign Digital Documents and Copyrighted Materials

It should be apparent to anyone who has watched the progress of Bitcoin that it behaves as a virtual commodity.  It also is fungible in that one Bitcoin can be exchanged for an equal quantity anywhere in the World. The success of bitcoin comes from its Blockchain software design. Every Bitcoin has a unique signature that follows it through its travels from one Wallet to another.  That 'fingerprint' never goes away and remains an indelible ...

Read More

Do Smartwatches Make You Stupid?

Smartwatches (Image credit: theregister.co.uk) The implied advertisement subliminal message:  "You need this.  You can't live without it." The newest wave of technology apparatus has reached American soil.  Among the many offerings now comes Smartwatches. Yes, they not only look smart, but, they are smart in the sense of having none other than a built in computer -- literally. I don't know about you, but when I come home, at...

Read More

Your Browser: A General Purpose Remote Code Execution Tool

Google Chrome web browser security warning message I've been reviewing the current state of Internet Privacy. It's still a mixed bag and my conclusion is that it will remain so for quite some time. Efforts to provide Internet Privacy are varied, depending on which ISP is employed. The primary means for conveyance to a target website to do any kind of task is the web browser. To put security risk into context, the web browser is a remote...

Read More

Kim DotCom Facing Down a Death Sentence Without a Trial

Kim Schmitz aka Kim DotCom Many of the readers of this story know of Kim Schmitz aka Kim DotCom.  It's a mix of either great respect or contempt depending on what is understood about him. There is an untold story about him that needs to be recorded as to what happened to his MegaUpload website. MegaUpload was a popular file sharing website up to a few years ago when it was summarily ordered to be taken down by the U.S. Federal Government. As...

Read More

Linux Turla Malware Infection? Not Going to Happen.

cdoor.c - packet coded backdoor (credit: phenolit.de) C'mon.  Here is yet another sensational report 'wishing' that Linux is infection prone.  It isn't okay? The SecureList authors imply that there is a Linux version of a known Windows malware, called Turla.  Conveniently, they call it a variant. Where is the documentation for a Linux 'vector of infection'?  Oops, somehow, they forgot to include it. Including the source...

Read More

Linux Distro Survey 2014

Final Results of Linux Distro Survey 2014 [Edit: Linux Distro Survey 2014 is closed.  See summary above. Details can be obtained by clicking the the 'View results' link below.] So, okay, it's been a while since I did a survey.  You know the drill.  Time to pick your brain.   What is your favorite Linux Distribution?  [View results...

Read More