Simmbook – an affordable $190 Business Netbook, with Ubuntu !

Behold! Simmtronics has launched its latest product, the Simmbook which is a netbook, priced at $190 only! The netbook is geared towards business users as it includes IBM Lotus Symphony, SmartWork client suite and various other IBM cloud-based services. The Netbook specs 10-inch display, Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, three-cell battery, and a 160GB hard drive.

Best of all, it comes with Ubuntu pre-installed.

How to setup Secure Webserver HTTPS (SSL) on Apache in Ubuntu

Secure HTTP (SSL/TLS) has become a must if you are planning to setup a website which includes user authentication (ie. login box) or sensitive data. HTTPS prevents the sensitive data from being transfered across the network in clear text where it is susceptible to being sniffed or altered. Here is the tutorial on how to setup a secure HTTP on Apache web server in Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx).

What do you need?

  • apache2 (Web Server)
  • openssl
  • A bit patient, because it will take some time to learn

Step 1: Create a self-signed certificate
You need to create a self-signed certificate with openssl. To do that you will need to generate the server key.


openssl genrsa -des3 -out server-sec.key 4096

…and certificate signing request (CSR)


openssl req -new -key server-sec.key -out server.csr

After that, generate the server certificate by signing it with the server key.

openssl x509 -req -days 365 -in server.csr -signkey server-sec.key -out server.crt

Keep the server-sec.key in a secure location, with read/write permission assigned only to root. Then generate a password-less copy of the key for Apache use.

openssl rsa -in server-sec.key -out server.key

By this time, you should have :

  • server.key (passwordless key for Apache)
  • server.csr (certificate signing request)
  • server.crt (certificate)
  • server-sec.key (server key)

Continue reading “How to setup Secure Webserver HTTPS (SSL) on Apache in Ubuntu”

Linux Mint Debian Edition 201009 has been released!

A few years ago, I wrote about Linux Mint as an unofficial Ubuntu distribution that is preinstalled with proprietary codecs and plugins then I write a follow up article when the project has evolved into providing a user-friendly Linux distribution, with additional application but is still based on Ubuntu.

linux mint debian edition

But now, the Linux Mint teams has taken another step forward by introducing Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE), which is based on Debian GNU/Linux distribution (Debian-Testing or Debian Squeeze). LMDE features a new installer which was developed from scratch with Debian in mind, bleeding-edge application from the Debian-testing repos and the same proprietary software addons from Linux Mint own repositories.

LMDE is however is not compatible with Ubuntu repositories as there are differences between the binary and the configuration files. Those who are seeking for full compatibility with Ubuntu, should download Linux Mint standard edition instead. Another caveat is, LMDE currently is only available on 32 bit X86 platform and GNOME, with no immediate plan to release 64bit edition or with KDE environment, due to complications with the process of making Debian much more ‘friendlier’ to keep up with Linux Mint standards.

linux mint debian thumbnail screenshot

LMDE can be downloaded from its official website : http://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php, it comes with a DVD ISO image (875 MB)

New features and changes in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick!

Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) BETA has been published a few days ago and quite a few brave souls has already upgraded to it. The Beta release gives general idea of what final release will look like when it is due in October 2010. Among of the noticeable features in Meerkat are:

  • GNOME platform 2.31
  • Shotwell replaced F-Spot as photo management software
  • Gwibber release that supports the new Twitter oAuth authentication system
  • Better Ubuntu One integration with the desktop with faster sync speed and added feature that allow users to share music links to Ubuntu One Music
    Store
  • Better Ubuntu One integration with the desktop with faster sync speed and added feature that allow users to share music links to Ubuntu One Music Store
  • Ubuntu Netbook Edition gets the Unity Interface!
  • Includes kernel based on 2.6.35.3 upstream release
  • Includes improved multitouch capability

Other Bugs and Issues

  • Wubi Windows Installer is reported not being able to open Windows’ boot configuration files in some cases, so might not be the best idea to install the Beta release on production Windows PC environment
  • Upgrading previously installed Ubuntu (10.04) that uses Wubi to 10.10 Beta does not work and is not recommended.

Read the full post here : http://www.ubuntu.com/testing/maverick/beta

p/s: As with all other BETA release, it is only recommended for power users and those who are helping Ubuntu community to iron out bugs by filing bug-reports before final-release. It is certainly not recommended for production users, especially to newbies who just want to try out Ubuntu.

Fanatical Linux Fanboys == Fake Linux Users?

A comic strip from Mostly Harmful got me thinking, how many are you so-called Linux fanboys actually use GNU/Linux operating system? Do you own a Windows box? or even Apple Mac OS X? How many are you, Linux advocates use GNU/Linux in your daily lives? Claiming that Linux is great and hating every other operating systems, while still (in secret) using them by choice?

APz Mostly Harmful I hate Linux Fanboys

Thanks APz for the comic strip