High Morals in Computing

Free and Open Source! Most people who use computers are not likely to know what "open source" means. Essentially, it describes computer software built up from code that is wide open for inspection. Instead of being hidden away as some company secret, the software code is released to anyone who asks. Thousands of computer code writers all over the world voluntarily work together to create this computer software. It began as a hobby, but is fast becoming the best that's available. Not only is this software "free" as in liberty but is also available "free" as in no charge to get it from most sources.

The idea behind all this is not some hatred for capitalism, nor any particular animosity toward the idea of commercial software companies. Rather, the objective has always been the freedom of the user to decide for themselves. There is nothing inherently immoral about using any commercially produced software, if that is what you want. However, if you want something else, the Open Source Community wants you to have choices.

Your Host: Site administrator is Ed Hurst: jehurst =at= operamail =d0t= com. (If you don't understand why it's typed that way, you need to learn about spam.)

This site is provided quite cheaply by the fine folks at ServerForest.com. Tim Butler runs a great service, and specializes in smaller operations. If you can't afford Tim's rates, you can't afford a website.

As Needed -- Computer users should have a clear purpose in mind before deciding which computer Operating System is best for themselves. Then set aside all the hype of promotions and take a good look at which of the many choices will serve your needs.

Re-examining JavaScript -- A class of technologies that hand over entirely too much control to the website just for a few slick tricks of display, JavaScript and ActiveX should no longer be necessary to view any website. This is based on the ethics of maximizing user control over what happens to their computer.

Configuring and Using Mozilla -- Download and install the famous Mozilla Browser Suite. Then learn a few tips to make the most of it for surfing and e-mail. This setup guide is primarily for Windows users.

The New E-Style -- Communicating openly means speaking the same language. A part of the language in electronic communications is the format. There is a standard for proper formatting of plain text documents for the computer. The document itself sets the example by actually being just such a plain text document. The guidelines are the same for e-mail, which should always be in plain text.

Spam Fighting Part 1: Morals and Ethics -- Here we explore the definition of "spam" and some of the underlying moral and ethical problems.

Spam Fighting Part 2: Sources and Causes -- How did we get into this mess?

Spam Fighting Part 3: HOWTO -- Outline of techniques for hammering spammers.

Spam Fighting Part 4: Unintended Consquences -- What can happen when an ISP is falsely accused of being a hard-core spamhaus?

Soul of Privacy -- As we read, debate, and consider our reponse to all the various attacks on our privacy, it's important we understand just how important it really is that we all retain some privacy. Here is why it matters.

Selected Free Winware and Tips -- Just can't leave the Windows environment? You'll need these packages at the very least to protect your computer.

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Explaining Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)

The Clueless User's Guide: This is a series of lessons to introduce the very most basic concepts of FOSS operating systems. We especially note how these FOSS systems are more secure and stable than the software bundled with most PCs.

#1: Identities and Permissions -- a very important part of what makes FOSS so different is that it is designed for more than one user.

#2: Home of Your Own -- The nature and structure of the FOSS user's "home directory."

#3: Talk to Me -- How the operating system talks to your computer hardware. Special emphasis is on why system stability depends on how well the two communicate.

#4: Can You See It? -- The special nature of the visual computer display in FOSS.

#5: Pick One -- How to select the brand or type of FOSS operating system to run on your home PC.

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Some Linux Help

Font Issues in Linux, Etc.: These tutorials cover a range of problems I've encountered using SuSE and Mandrake. Some of these instructions will apply to other distributions of Linux. None of this is anything more than solutions I found scattered about the Internet while researching improvements to how it works "out of the box." I take credit merely for pulling it together in one place. Nor do I promise it will solve your particular problems; I claim merely that they worked for me.

Font Fight: This should be your starting point, as it resolves the basic font display configuration problems that appeared with in Linux distributions starting in 2002.

Freetype Fix: Almost as important as the system configuration is recompiling the freetype2 libraries to allow a sharper display of TrueType fonts.

100dpi versus 75dpi: By default, the best system fonts for modern video hardware are not installed. Fonts with a higher density will make for a sharper display.

Gtk2 and Gnome2 Apps: When you are running Gtk2 or Gnome2 applications outside of the Gnome2 desktop, it requires a bit of configuration to make them display properly.

Mozilla Matters: How to get the most from Mozilla and Netscape 6/7 display.

Diagnosing Font Problems: Things to look for when your font display isn't working right.

Font Registry: When you install some types of fonts, your system may not properly recognize them. Thus, they will not display correctly without some work to correct the settings.

IceWM with Sound: One of my favorite window managers has a sound module, but the instructions have not been published any where else. I stumbled across it and present it here.

How to Customize Joe: Add your favorite Windows-like keystrokes to the Joe console text editor. This tutorial covers later versions of Joe starting with 3.1.

SUSE on Dell Latitude D505: Specifics regarding installation of openSUSE 10.3 on a D505.

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FreeBSD

FreeBSD on the Desktop The Clueless User's Guide continues with this set of tutorials on installing FreeBSD, and then setting it up. The instructions are being updated to reflect the newer procedures for the upcoming 6.2 release.

Updated #1: Installation A simplified, step-by-step run through installing FreeBSD.

Updated #2: Post Installation Setup Completing the GUI setup and configuring for your Internet connection.

Updated #3: Adding Software Learning how to add software packages that are not available on the Install CD.

Updated #4: Setting Up Internet Mail What some old-timers jokingly call the "the true way" of doing e-mail. We set up the system mail for use with the Internet, a mail fetcher, and an e-mail reader, all in the command line environment.

Updated #5: Setting Up Printing For ink-jet and laser-jet type printers, the process of setting up the print server -- called "CUPS" -- has become quite simple in the past year.

Updated #6: User PPP Connections The built-in dialer for FreeBSD need not be a mystery.

Updated #7: Terminal Emulator Settings Getting the most from the Command Line Environment by tweaking the settings that control terminal windows.

Updated #8: Updating the Core System You can update and rebuild the core system very quickly, and it's easier than you think.

Updated #9: FreeBSD and Broadband Got a new broadband service for your FreeBSD box? How to connect your FreeBSD machine to a working broadband Internet service. You'll be referred to previous tutorials that overlap these instructions.

Laptops A walkthrough on the specific issues you would face installing FreeBSD 5.4 on older laptops.

Upgrading to 6.0 The release of FreeBSD 6.0 in November 2005 generated a lot of excitement, and for good reason. Here's how to upgrade from FreeBSD 5.x.

Fully Optimized Install Comprehensive walkthrough of installing FreeBSD 6.0 so that the entire system is fully code-optimized for your hardware. Trust me -- it makes a big difference.

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Miscellaneous

Here I link my feeble attempts at writing fiction.

A Redemption Story -- How a genuine Christian faith responds to tragedy.

Knowing My Place -- A work of fiction, novella length. It is a proof of concept for modern electronic formats for books, etc., including links to other works on the Internent, those links being most non-fiction.

Vengeance Is Mine -- A short story indicating possible future concequences of current trends. The story is seen through the eyes of a persecuted pastor.

Important Links

The Open Source Initiative: This website helps explain in detail what "open source" means and some of it's benefits. This organization does not claim to represent everyone who is involved in Open Source. Rather, they attempt to promote the use of Open Source software and defend it when it is under attack.

Why Open Source/Free Software? If you really need to know the details, David Wheeler presents a rather long paper examining the philosphical, economic, and some of the technical aspects of Open Source software. He especially points out how Open Source is superior for most purposes.

Any Browser Campaign: This website seeks to inform Internet surfers that there really is a major problem out there with the way some web pages are set up. A certain major corporation produces software for building websites which are often difficult to read with any web browser not made by the same company.

The Official RFC 1855 Netiquette Guidelines -- Anytime you see a document with "RFC" at the top, it's the official standard for Internet use.

Basic Windows Security -- The long-running joke is that there is no such thing, but we can make good efforts to minimize the threats.

Immediate Measures -- The majority of problems I used to fix on Windows machines can be covered by a few simple steps.