While I am a huge proponent of on-the-fly site-specific password hashing, like PasswordMaker, I find that “traditional” password vaults are still necessary. Not all sensitive information is browser-based, like PIN numbers or passwords used in desktop applications. My chosen password hashing method does not work with some sites due to stupid password restrictions. I also, regrettably, share some accounts with co-workers, so I need to use passwords they created. In all of these situations, I need to store the sensitive information in a password vault. I love the convenience and portability of online password managers like PassPack and Clipperz. However, I can’t shake this nagging thought: can I trust PassPack or Clipperz with my life?
Continue reading ‘Is it possible to trust online password managers like PassPack and Clipperz?’
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In the old days, I used to be very afraid of breaking my xorg.conf. Ubuntu Gutsy has done away with this fear, as repairing a broken xorg.conf is dead simple!
Option 1:
Allow Ubuntu to boot into Bullet-Proof-X mode (which is a failsafe mode like Windows Safe Mode). Using the familiar graphical user interface, run this command and follow the simple instructions:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Option 2:
Choose “Rescue Mode” on boot up. When you get to the command prompt, run the same command and following the instructions:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Now reboot and enjoy a working X again.
P.S. Since Ubuntu aims to never throw people to the command line with the implementation of Bullet-Proof-X, there should be GUI interfaces/wizards for repairing xorg.conf. Just a GUI button/menu entry for launching dpkg-reconfigure would be great. Then again, newbies shouldn’t ever break their xorg.conf. 
There are so many social bookmarking services and communities out there, why do you have to choose one to focus on? Now you don’t have to choose. Mahalo Follow 3 Beta is a Firefox extension that allows you to submit a webpage to multiple social bookmarking sites with a single click, literally.
Continue reading ‘First look at Mahalo Follow 3 Beta: submit to multiple social bookmarking sites simultaneously, literally!’
You might have noticed that setarch blocks util-linux on a recent “emerge -uD world” update.
[blocks B ] sys-apps/setarch (is blocking sys-apps/util-linux-2.13-r2)
!!! Error: The above package list contains packages which cannot be installed
!!! at the same time on the same system.
util-linux-2.13 now includes setarch, so setarch is redundant and can be safely unmerged.
emerge -Cav setarch
emerge -uDav world
See this forum thread and this bug for more information.
“Sorry, your password is too secure. Please try again with a password no longer than 6 characters, containing lowercase alphabets only.”
I am tired of being told by a website that my password is too long, or contains non-alphanumeric characters which aren’t allowed. I am bewildered that most websites balking at long and complex passwords are financial sites, like bank and credit card sites.
Continue reading ‘Sorry, your password is too strong, says financial sites. Why?!’
Are you tired of digging out your game CDs and sitting through long installation processes with multiple disc swaps? I am. Luckily, when I went to install WoW again a few days ago (I quit last summer), I discovered that my WoW CDs can now be tossed in the garbage. It is a little-known fact that one can download the full World of Warcraft Classic (non-expansion) installer officially from Blizzard. For some reason Blizzard does not publicize this download option and hides it away on their support site.
Download World of Warcraft - Classic:
PC
Mac
More people are aware of the download for the Burning Crusade expansion as it is shown in the WoW Account Manager and publicized on the WoW homepage.
Download World of Warcraft - The Burning Crusade:
PC & Mac
Although Blizzard allows the full WoW installers to be downloaded (thanks <3), Blizzard apparently does not provide the option to simply upgrade from a trial to full account on worldofwarcraft.com. I was under the distinct impression that one could download a trial installer, sign-up for a trial account, and simply pay to upgrade the trial account to a full account online, instantaneously. Luke of Terminally Incoherent pointed out that Blizzard actually forces gamers to purchase the game from a retailer after the trial period. I agree with Luke’s observation that allowing instantaneous upgrading of a trial account would lower the barrier of entry and attract more World of Warcrack addicts.
It is possible to purchase WoW online and receive the authentication key without waiting for the physical media. Direct2Drive allows WoW to be downloaded after purchase (which is no big deal since Blizzard is providing that option as well, as mentioned above), and provides the authentication key online. However, Direct2Drive isn’t promoted or mentioned by Blizzard. There are also many retailers, including eBay merchants, who will sell you un-used authentication keys online, but most seem unofficial and unsanctioned by Blizzard.
Perhaps Blizzard is pressured by brick and mortar retailers to encourage users to purchase the game from them. Just as retailers are worried about movie and music sales going online, they must also be worried about video game sales going online. As a pioneer of efficient online content distribution using P2P technology, I hope Blizzard will fight the pressure from backwards retailers and offer more convenient and sensible distribution options, for the benefit of consumers as well as their own bottom line.
I, and many Gentoo users and fans, have just found out that the Gentoo Foundation ceased to exist a few weeks ago because the current trustees failed to renew and file mundane NPO paperwork in New Mexico. See this discussion on the Gentoo mailing lists and this blog post by Gentoo Founder and ex-Chief Architect Daniel Robbins (drobbins). Even more shocking is the fact that no hint of this monumental bungle is mentioned on gentoo.org.
And so, the non-profit foundation behind one of the most innovative and well-respected Linux distributions is dead because the leadership went MIA and neglected to file a few pieces of paper.
Fortunately, Gentoo Linux will outlive the Gentoo Foundation as long as the developers and users will it so. Many have cited the fact that Gentoo only made one official release in 2007 as a sign of impending doom. Some do not realize that Gentoo uses a rolling update system. Updates and improvements were made to Gentoo without pause throughout 2007. One “emerge -u world” updates a Gentoo installation to the most current version. Whereas most distributions like Ubuntu need new releases to implement drastic improvements, and encourage users to perform clean installs of new releases, Gentoo users never need an official release aside from saving time on fresh installations on new computers. Gentoo Linux might have slowed down and made mistakes that prevented a flashy 2007.1 release, but it is far from dead.
Gentoo Founder Daniel Robbins has offered to return and serve as President, a part-time leader of the Gentoo Foundation. There is no question that Gentoo Linux has suffered in terms of popularity and public opinion since Daniel Robbin’s resignation as Chief Architect. Perhaps Gentoo would be in better shape now if Daniel Robbins had remained the leader of the project. Perhaps Robbins’ strong guiding hand is just what Gentoo needs now. However, I’m worried:
- drobbins left Gentoo voluntarily; he obviously did not have the desire and/or ability to continue leading Gentoo. Is that different now?
- drobbins is only offering to return in a part-time capacity. Since the project has suffered from leaders and developers with different priorities going MIA, do we need yet another part-time leader?
- drobbins returned to Gentoo a few months ago as a regular developer. He left a day or two later over an argument on the mailing lists (satirical account here). Can he do any better this time around in managing a community in turmoil, with tensions running higher than ever?
- Some Gentoo developers and leaders seem to be very much against drobbins’ return. See Tsunam’s take on drobbins’ offer for example.
Nevertheless, I do hope drobbins’ offer is accepted. Call me a fanboy, but I believe drastic measures are needed to rescue the project quickly, and drobbins is best suited to serve as Gentoo Dictator (temporarily?).
Whether drobbins returns or not, reports of Gentoo’s demise are very much premature.
Good luck, Gentoo! You truly stand out in the crowded field of copycat Linux distributions. You captured my heart and that of countless others.
