February 2010 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

Online Backups
by Odhiambo Washington 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Is anyone on this forum who has entrusted his data with an online backup company? Those with whom you can backup your PC from anywhere, access your data from anywhere? I have some queries from a colleague on this backup method, but I've never used any such. -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "If you have nothing good to say about someone, just shut up!." -- Lucky Dube

5 9

Remote database access
by Maq Tim 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Howdy guys, scenario: Am on my XP machine. I need to remotely access two different oracle databases(db_A and db_B) on two different unix servers via ssh. The whole idea is to be able to log into the databases, run some select queries so i can compare 'two' similar tables(table_AB contained in both db's) on the two databases to ensure they have the same no of rows & data. Note that usually, i can access the servers and the db's but separately and have to use two windows of my xshell access via ssh to display my query results. Que: how can i do a single script on my winXP machine without having to log into both servers then the db's separately? will appreciate some ideas on efficiency here.... regards, Tim.

3 5

Offtopic Friday: Things to try with your laptop on a plane with WI-FI...
by ndungu stephen 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Things to try with your laptop on a plane with WI-FI. 1. Take laptop slowly out of case. 2. Slowly open your laptop 3. Switch laptop on 4. Make sure neighbors are watching.. <This works best on the aisle or middle seat for maximum effect> 5. Go online. 6. Close your eyes and tilt head upwards. 7. Take a very deep breath and open following link 8. http://bit.ly/7DAo 9. Close eyes again and tilt your head upwards and silently mumble as if in prayer. 10. Wait and see what your fellow passengers will do. ------------------------------ DISCLAIMER This email if for fun and only fun - if you use this email to do the above. Utashikwa, upigwe na passenger wengine ... then you will be tied up in the back seat and watched closely until you land... Then they will hand you over to the next airport police...<even if its not your destination, you will lose your transit visa and ticket>.. then... By the time you leave the airport - your things will have been thoroughly searched [including all your body cavities [?]] - your life background will also be scrutinized and confirmed. Then they will call your parents, girlfriend, nursery school teacher, favourite lecturer and your current employer (who probably hates you) . By the time you leave the airport grounds it will be 48 hours later and that's on condition they realize that you pose no actual threat... So dont try this at home - please !

7 6

JOB OPP: PHP Dev Wanted
by James Wachira 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

-------- Hi. I am looking to hire a PHP developer. Please find the skill set below: • Ensures that the Content Management System is working properly (continuous development and enhancement to the system) • Cleans the data in the database. E.g by removing old or erroneous records, delinked records etc • Adds to the functionality of the website via AJAX, PHP • Maintains the content of the website • Keeps Statistics of the Website, not only hits but times searched, most popular content, etc • Implement improvements that need to be made on the site • Prepare reports from which the sales team can act upon • Be familiar with versioning tools - Tortoise SVN • Have LAMP experience – Linux Apache Mysql PHP. Qualities: PHP Developer, Joomla Administrator, Designer would be preferable, Excellent communication skills, including writing, proof reading skills, and speaking, Ability to manage multiple projects and work assignments from a variety of staff, Excellent interpersonal skills both in person and by phone, with high professionalism, High expectations for quality, At least 2 years experience, Strong back end development skills. Because we are a start up company, the ideal person for this position will need much more than being a good developer. The person needs to be entrepreneurial and have a burning desire to be part of building something unique. The person needs to be able to work long hours for the next 6 months, at an average of about 70 hours a week. • A detailed and updated CV, indicating nationality, age and gender; • Names and contact details (including e-mail address) of three references; • Portfolio of work done (2 websites / systems with proof) --Regards, James Gutu Designer & Developer Creafinity Ltd | Beautiful Functionality www.creafinity.co.ke<http://staff.avu.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.creafinity.co.ke> Mobile: + 254 722 67 66 00 Landline: + 254 20 80026 80 -- With Kind Regards James Wachira Nairobi .ke twitter: jwaciira | yahoo: jwaciira | gtalk: jwaciira | skype: jwaciira

1 0

Apache 2 Test Page
by Kariuki Martin 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Hi Skunks and Skunkettes, I uploaded a site on www.chrisckenya.org. Problem is, some people can access the site & some are greeted by this ugly apache test page. I tried following the instructions on the test page but I cannot find the specified folders on the server. Anyone with a possible solution? -- Regards Martin

4 6

iPad
by Philip Musyoki 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

So Steve Jobs has finally unveiled the iPad amidst much fanfare. Much like what many had speculated, but seems to be using a special chip, not Intel. Guess now we may be seeing that chip in other devices like the iPhone and MacBook. I am sure Intel is watching this with much intrest, and it is not unlike Apple to disrupt industries it enters. All in all I think it is a beautiful device, and I am waiting for the pricing details. It will have both WiFi and 3G, but I am not sure it is tied to carriers like the iPhone. And they announced the iBook, an eBook Reader application for the iPad.

14 25

CentOS SERVER SECURITY
by Cynthia Wahome 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Hello Skunkers I have a Linux Box that is on the internet.I have several times noticed that when i look at my log files in /var/log/secure i notice alot of possible break in attempts eg 32 proxicious sshd[32036]: pam_unix(sshd:auth): authentication failure; logname= uid=0 euid=0 tty=ssh ruser= rhost=cl67-179-182-213.cl.metrocom.ru user=root Jan 25 19:02:34 proxicious sshd[32036]: Failed password for root from 213.182.179.67 port 47122 ssh2 Jan 25 19:02:34 proxicious sshd[32037]: Received disconnect from 213.182.179.67: 11: Bye Bye Jan 25 19:02:36 proxicious sshd[32038]: pam_unix(sshd:auth): authentication failure; logname= uid=0 There are so many ip addresses trying to enter this box.I have been blocking the IP addresses using iptables -A INPUT -s a.b.c.d -j DROP from the box. My question is,if there are very many IP's trying;is there a simpler method of doing this or do i have to do it one by one.(really frustrating) PS I have not enabled SELinux becoz sometimes it becomes a hindrance alot. Any help is appreciated Regards ---------------------------------------------- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by Jambo MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------- "easy access to the world"

6 9

Scheduled NT backup scripts....
by Maq Tim 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Hi guys, i could do with some of your help here. My scheduled NT-Backups don't happen. At first i thought it happened and just had a problem with retrieving the logs until i decided to do a few manual backups. The logs are ok and the report is given even with the verified backed-up data after the backup has happened. On the other hand, if i do a scheduled backup to a tape, it doesnt recognize the drive and give a no device found error. In manual mode, it works like a dream. However, if i schedule a backup to a hardisk on another machine on the same network, it works fine. Que...has someone encoutered such and if so, a script that i can use to go round all those que's i have to give a "yes" or "no" to? coz i suspect there lies the problem.... will appreciate your help. regards, Tim.

2 2

Facebook rewrites PHP runtime
by Daudi Were 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

from: http://www.sdtimes.com/blog/post/2010/01/30/Facebook-rewrites-PHP-runtime.a… Well, I was able to put all the pieces together on this one, finally, and I now understand exactly what is up: *Facebook has rewritten the PHP runtime from scratch*. This coming Tuesday, they will make a big announcement around this project, and will make it available as open source software. I'm not really sure of any of the details of the project, but I do know that Facebook hired someone two years ago to do this, and I'm relatively sure this was a one-man project during that entire time ... This Tuesday, salvation should arrive. I would imagine this new project will push a lot of the weight in the PHP community into Facebook's corner of the world. It will be nice to see what they can do with all that interest, since Yahoo!, in the same position 6 years ago, largely squandered their opportunity to mold PHP into a more robust platform and language. -- Pamoja e:daudi.were@gmail.com <e%3Adaudi.were(a)gmail.com> skype: d.were

2 1

Interesting facts
by Solomon Mburu Kamau 01 Feb '10

01 Feb '10

Listers, I was going through http://khushiwebworld.com/ and it has some interesting facts. I'm not really sure of facts number 2,3 and five. Any one who can attest to that? -- Solomon Mbũrũ Kamau P.O. Box 19343 - 00202 Nairobi Cell: (+254-0) 735 431041 Man is a gregarious animal and enjoys agreement as cows will graze all the same way to the side of a hill! AND It is better to die in dignity than in the ignomity of ambiguous generosity! http://dawn-in-kenya.blogspot.com http://smiley2.wordpress.com http://mburu.sikika.co.ke

3 2