Thread: linux

Originally Posted by JillB

Thanks Ozkaban, looks like I will need to get down and dirty with robocopy. I always thought it was a DOS utility, and wouldn't work with the large files and file names.

It probably was. It was bundled in a Server maintenance pack up to 2003, but it is now shipped with Windows 7 home edition.

The most common way I use it is:
robocopy [source] [destn] /e /ndl (everything, no dir list)
or
robocopy [source] [destn] /mir (mirror - will delete a *lot* of things very quickly though if you get it wrong )

Cheers,
Dave

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

I've played with Puppy Linux, it is good 'cos it will fit on, boot & run from a USB stick.

Instant security problem I for see it means it can be loaded via any download hidden of course even off a web page for remote attacks and you wouldn't even know it.

Mind you I am looking at Puppy myself to use. I believe it will also help restore old files.

I played with Mandrake some years back now called something else.

Redhat Linux, Debian, and a few others in between over a few years but never got into it seriously enough fool that I am.

Guess the strain of teaching LOML Microsoft was bad enough

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Instant security problem I for see it means it can be loaded via any download hidden of course even off a web page for remote attacks and you wouldn't even know it. ....

Now you are 'looking for problems'.... cars are dangerous too.

Linux ? You bet!

All our PCs dual boot into Windows & Linux. The kids don't notice (or don't care) which they use - the wife is comfortable with Windows.

I also carry a USB thumbdrive (or 2) with Ubuntu or Puppy on it.

Once you're used to multiple desktops, you'll not want to go back.

I'm not sure I agree that Linux is for "enthusiasts" - I like it because it just woks. The software install/uninstall is so straightforward, and leaves no accumulation of garbage behind, plus, have a look at how much free software there is!!

When the wife's new laptop came with the new version of Office (the one with the Ribbon), she hated it, so now uses Open Office.

My 2 cents worth regarding general protective measures is to use OpenDNS - free, faster thal lots of ISP's DNS servers, you can control the level and category of filtering. No installing and protects everything on your network.

Cheers,
Andrew

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Linux is to computer users as MG cars are to motorists, i.e. "suit enthusiast".

Two observations on Windows computers:

1. If you're not running reliable antivirus AND malware prevention software, and keeping it completely up to date, I don't know how you sleep at night. It's only a matter of time before your PC will get clobbered. I think someone recently did some tests on unprotected internet-connected PCs, and concluded that your machine would likely be compromised within a matter of hours.....it really is that bad out there.

2. You need to keep a reliable backup of your system drive and all valuable data. I learned this the hard way when a new SSD died - no warning, no gradual increase in drive errors or weird noises, one day you switch on your PC and the SSD has effectively disappeared. I managed to restore the OS and most of my data to a spare HDD from windows backup, but ever since then I run an application that continually backs up EVERYTHING to a small external USB3 HDD. It runs automatically in the background, doesn't slow anything down, and I know I have 100% backup of OS, applications and data at 20 minute intervals. The thinking behind an external drive was that I can unplug it, stick it in my pocket, and get out in no time - if a bushfire did come through, I'm not keen on lugging an entire PC up the road. As a secondary backup, I put all data (documents, music, photos, outlook backup) onto a tiny 8Gb USB stick, and keep it offsite. This is refreshed every 3 months. I wouldn't trust the iCloud (or any other online storage offerings) as far as I could spit....some recent high profile hacking exploits have rather put me off the idea.

John regarding keeping it up to date. They come up with hack and attacks first then the fixes so keeping up to date is "Closing the gate after horse has bolted"

A good Technician once told me 3 seconds is all it takes to gain entry with security turned off. A little longer depending on security its level settings etc. So many people just install and thats it, they should go explore and increase those settings including Microsofts own.

I just had a back up drive die yesterday after backing everything up, this is an internal, this weekend would have seen me doing back up to the external. Safe to say have not lost much as camera chips still have images on them some anyway, downloaded files if available can be done again.

Trouble with back up software is your system whole must be rebuilt to the same set up and the same restore software used or its bye bye back up as it can not be restored if its uses its own compression settings y another program. Hence I only back up the files as they are, transfering them. learnt that one many years ago.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Now you are 'looking for problems'.... cars are dangerous too.

No it was happening some time ago with another Linux USB boot system.
I recall reading of a major corp who couldn't understand how outside sources where gaining access, a Temp receptionist using a USB to listen to music and read her ebooks was culprit, she had no idea as it must have come through a download onto the USB. They discovered it through amount of access via the machine she was using, of course only on days when it was quiet and she was using the USB most at lunch time.

Microsoft will give you a new serial if your computer has crashed or you upgrade your mother board. You have to phone em up and some snooty bloke quizzes you before you get it. Another tip is do not add more than two new bits to your computer at one time or windows think its a different unit. As to virus scanners, Ive had em all and every one I had I have been got at with a virus. So now I use AGV free, its as good as any and the cost is just right.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Trouble with back up software is your system whole must be rebuilt to the same set up and the same restore software used or its bye bye back up as it can not be restored if its uses its own compression settings y another program. Hence I only back up the files as they are, transfering them. learnt that one many years ago.

Since I build my own PCs, over the years I've learned to pay a bit more for reliable components. My system backup regime is based around the fact that essential components like the motherboard (I use ASUS) and CPU are unlikely to fail within 5 years, especially with a quality PSU (Corsair) and clean power supplied via a UPS. I tend to build a new machine with newer technology (and usually a new OS...thanks Bill ) every 5 years or so anyway. Provided the motherboard and CPU is the same, the complete system backup will work just fine, and Genie uses a USB drive to initiate the restore from backup process.

The failure I'm protecting against (and the only kind I've ever experienced) is in the storage system, both SSD and HDD. With multiple layers of backup it is VERY likely that I'll be able to slot in a new drive and completely restore the OS, applications, and data in no time at all, saving hours of fiddling around getting applications re-installed and OS patches updated. If the house burns down , I think building a new PC will be the least of my problems, and I still have all my personal data backed up on a USB stick stored offsite.

Of course, its always the thing you haven't thought of that turns around and bites you on the bum .....

Good point rrobor; I've had that issue after adding new components to my PC.

As for antivirus, I've used VIPRE for 5 years on several machines and never had anything get past it. After the initial scan on installation, it runs continuously in the background scanning everything (including email) and updates definitions automatically 3 or 4 times a day. Probably once or twice a day I'll get a little message pop up from VIPRE to say it has blocked such and such an exploit or prevented an email attachment doing something nasty, so I know it's working hard. I also run a Malwarebytes scan daily, and run Secunia PSI weekly to check all my applications are fully patched and 100% secure (both programs are free).

The only problem in my PC world at the moment is sharing files between my main office PC running Windows 7 64-bit and my home theater PC running Windows 7 32-bit.......grrrrr. I wish there was a way to pay a few extra dollars and upgrade a 32-bit Windows 7 licence to 64-bit, but doesn't seem to be the case.

Got a 2yo Macbook Pro which I can boot to Ubuntu, Win7 and OS X Lion. I'll do most of my server stuff on Ubuntu and everything else on OS X. Think I last booted into Windows 6 months ago, useless OS, drives me mad. I'm even starting to use Ubuntu less and less these days. It's easy to compile your own software on OS X like MySQL etc.

Ubuntu and OS X Lion are kept on a USB stick, just in case. I back up hourly to a Drobo 4TB and duplicate some very important work stuff to Amazon S3.

I'm very happy with my setup, very portable and has everything I need.

Had a go at Genie Backup Manager Ver 8. Unfortunately it requires MS Outlook to be the default email system

For yonks, like 10 years or so, I have been using Eudora ( it is now a 14GB system of files). Genie doesn't permit me to backup these working files located at:

Users/Jill/AppData/Roaming/Qualcomm/Eudora in my Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 version

Used to be a lot easier in XP where it stored all my Eudora working files in Documents and Settings

Can anyone please assist here?

I've been a linux administrator for many years and only run Linux on my laptop (ubuntu) and server (Centos).
I only run one Windows machine and that's so I can run Mach 3 (CNC), everything else I can get done on Linux.

You can never have too many backups regardless of what operating system you choose to run

I built my first linux system in 96. In those days you had to write your own drivers

It's easier now but still more work than windows. If it's set up properly it's more secure and faster. The problem is a lot of software isn't available for linux and since I run a lot of unusual stuff (like video and sound stuff) I usually just make do with windows.

I run xp and have automatic updates turned off. I have a proper firewall and several anti virus malware spyware programs running. AVG and malwarebytes are fine together and cover most problems.

I have nero 9 full and it shipped with a good backup utility. It's also pretty good video editing software and allows me to turn nearly anything into a dvd player watchable vid. If you've got nero oem, any version, you can upgrade for a reasonable price. No connection, just a customer.

2c.

I've tried 3 Linux distributions, Red Hat, Mint and Ubuntu. From Windows fan's view like me, Red Hat is oldie, Mint is nice and Ubuntu is lovely.

I really love the workflow and UI of Ubuntu. While Red Hat is something doesn't suit home use. Their stability and performance is all the same.


About the security, it's true that Windows has a lot more malwares. But with Windows 7, I think the stability of Win-Mac-Linux is competitive now.