Software Repository

A Software Repository is basically a bank or archive of software and other information that is stored on the Internet and able to be downloaded by a user who wants a particular software. Each Linux version has its own repository download site. Ubuntu download site categorizes their downloads into four different groups, universe, multiverse, restricted, and main.

On the site you can find updates and back port download packages labeled by the name of who wrote the code. For instance Hardy-Updates for the Hardy Hernon version 8.04LTS or Dapper-Backports for version 6.06LTS written by Dapper Drake. You can also find other things like News articles that you can select per software if any were released at the bottom of the page. A search package directory is available. You can also search the contents of a package in a separate directory.

Each package is broken down even more. When you select a certain package you have other options to help you look for what you want for. Example, If I was interested in any of Karmic's updates I would select "Karmic Updates". There I could find updates for fonts, editors, mail, language, and much more.

Unlike Windows OS systems that pretty much install what ever updates are available at the time, Linux package sites are more user friendly and allows the user to download and install updates or software that they particularly want.

Kinect Controversy

The controversy talk about the Microsoft product "Kinect" is that days after is release the products software that is suppose to run on XBOX 360 only was hacked by a bunch of open source hackers. Code that runs the motion capture device was hacked and is now able to be run on PC and Linux systems. This technology can be used in the future to interact with robots and art installations.

I think this is great. It proves that their is people in our society that will not allow companies like Microsoft to monopolize technological advances in our ever changing computer world.

What "Net Neutrality" means to me.

As I typed in what is "Net Neutrality" in Google, I did not realize this was such hot discussion in the news right now. I guess I am sheltered by being over here and not reading about it.

For what I have read and understand "Net Neutrality" is preservation of free Internet. Not that we receive it free in cost, but we are free to view what we would like and how we would like too. It means no restrictions by Internet Sservice Pproviders and governments on content, sites, platforms, the kinds of equipment that may be attached, and the modes of communication.

The FCC dictates the laws on what ISP providers can and cannot block. ISP's cannot block lawful contents, applications, or therefore anything reasonable. But the problem is the FCC does not define "reasonable". With the FCC giving ISP's this kind of flexibility it allows them to charged consumers in tiered plans. The more they would like to view the more a consumer would have to pay.

Comcast, one of the worlds largest ISP's is in a battle with Level 3 who is a content delivery network. Comcast has confronted Level 3 with the need to increase fee's to broadcast traffic across Comcast's network. If Level 3 refuses to pay more, Comcast will restrict what content will travel across the network from Level 3. If this happens, any content you may view that comes from Level 3 maybe restricted and un-viewable.

I myself am an advocate for "Net Neutrality". If ISP's are going to raise their prices, do it because of inflation reasons. The FCC should not allow monopolies to develop by companies like Comcast, Verizon, and A&TT. The FCC should punish providers who charge ridiculous fee's and try to restrict content and make viewing the Internet unfair to the consumer.

FREE INTERNET!

 

Linux Job??? REALLY!!!

I am not quite sure if I could say that I am liking this Linux stuff yet! But I blame those feelings on the situation I am in and the distractions I have of being employed in Afghanistan while also trying to better myself by working on a college degree. I am a hands on kind of guy. Show me once and I will run with it next time kind of learner.

Many advanced Linux jobs that I found on Indeed.com but not limited to are:

Java Developers

Software Engineers

Websphere Portal Architects and Developers

Help Desk Technicians

I do not see myself being one of these straight up computer nerds like Linus Torvalds sitting in a room all day punching in source code to develop Linux. I did just realize about two weeks ago that TMCC messed up my degree that I was trying to seek and had me majoring in Computer Science. After viewing all the classes I was required to take I realized it was way to many computer programing classes and WAAYYY to much math. One math class for the Networking and Server Technologies degree's is enough for me. It is bad enough that I will have to start with a Math 96 and work my way up to Pre-Calc as math was a very weak subject for me. I only went as high as Course 1 Regents math back in 1994 in my softmore year in highschool and I split that up in two years. Course 1A and Course 1B. So after reviewing class requirements for Networking and Server Technologies I changed my major. To me it seems to be more hands on, get your hands dirty fun stuff. We will see. I also have experience with minor networking and SQL functions. Just enough to get my foot in the door and off to a right start.

I obviously want to stay in the Reno, NV area. If I didn't I would not have halted my life in New York and moved everything there. Jobs are much more vast in Reno than they are where I come from in New York. Alot of Renoians probably will not agree and take it for granted what they really do have. Lower your living standards and maybe you will have a better life. I like to utilize websites like Craigslist and Indeed.com to drool over a job that will more than likely be long gone before I get a chance to apply. Same as looking for Real Estate. I type in Linux in the search box for Reno and a lot of choices came about. Most are advanced programing of some sort but one did catch my eye on the front page.

***NETWORK HARDWARE TECHNICIAN***

Adecco Engineering and Technical, a division of the world leader in the recruitment of engineering and information technology professionals, has an immediate opening for an Network Hardware Technician on a 3 month contract opportunity with a leading company specializing in bowling tournaments located in Reno, NV.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibility is to support bowling league tournament technology, secondary responsibility is to support International Campus IT infrastructure.

Implement, Administer and support bowling league tournament technology such as network/voice infrastructure, desktop/mobile computing, print/fax/copy solutions, audio/visual media, data server/storage, virtualization, and security cameras

Install, administer, and support tournament scoring display system

Provide daily operational troubleshooting of implemented tournament technology.

Monitoring and maintaining network operating systems, directory structures and user accounts.

Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots LAN-based applications of Tournament.

Effects hardware and software changes and moves including additional deletions and modifications.

Monitoring, network performance using various utilities.

Outstanding customer service. Must be able to work as a team member, able to communicate with tournament staff, participants, and spectators in a professional and courteous manner.

2-4 years of experience; and/or an Associate degree in CIS; and/or Military background with 1 year computer job experience.

Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in writing, over the phone, and in person.

Ability to perform basic troubleshooting of tiered applications in a heterogeneous environment.

Experience with implementing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting servers/workstation OS's: Unix/Linux, or Windows.

Solid understanding of TCP/IP

Experience with administering user accounts.

Required at least one of the following certifications: A+, Network+, Linux+, or Security+, MCP, CCENT, RHCA, GISF

Prefer Leading industry certifications such as SANS GIAC, Red Hat, SAIR, Microsoft, Cisco, VMWare

Must understand basic concepts of security and anti-virus removal

Solid knowledge PC hardware and peripheral devices QUALIFICATIONS

• Outstanding customer service. Must be able to work as a team member, able to communicate with tournament staff, participants, and spectators in a professional and courteous manner.
• 2-4 years of experience; and/or an Associate degree in CIS; and/or Military background with 1 year computer job experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in writing, over the phone, and in person.
• Ability to perform basic troubleshooting of tiered applications in a heterogeneous environment.
• Experience with implementing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting servers/workstation OS's: Unix/Linux, or Windows.
• Solid understanding of TCP/IP
• Experience with administering user accounts.
• Required at least one of the following certifications: A+, Network+, Linux+, or Security+, MCP, CCENT, RHCA, GISF
• Prefer Leading industry certifications such as SANS GIAC, Red Hat, SAIR, Microsoft, Cisco, VMWare
• Must understand basic concepts of security and anti-virus removal
• Solid knowledge PC hardware and peripheral devices

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be capable of moving equipment weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to squat, crawl, reach and position self to work with computers and their connections for short period of time required
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time required.

**********************************************************************************

As you see alot of the key words are installs, maintains, troubleshoots, etc. It is not just an all out sit down and jam Linux code all day kind of job that sounds boring to me, but what it does require is experience with implementing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting servers/workstation OS's: Unix/Linux, or Windows. Definitely a more hands on kind of job that is right up my alley!

A Computer Hardware Technician salary can vary from $30,000 to $50,000 depending on the years of experience you have.