Bend in the Weather

If you haven't already...  it's time to update your version of Java.

Why you might ask?!    Pesky Java DOESNT use your OS to determine the date/time (it cant really... it runs in a JVM after all... seperated from the OS).

You can get updated versions of Java (Update 11 for 1.4.2 and Update 6 for 1.5.0) from Sun directly for Windows...  though it can be a little harder for you Linux OS.

Traditionally, items like Java are compiled up and included in your OS... problem with SuSE at present... they haven't released any updated packages for the current 1.4.2 and 1.5.0 Java packages. 

As a result -- I did the grunt work and compiled up the updates for both Java 1.4.2 and Java 1.5.0 for SuSE 10... both i586 and AMD64 architectures are catered for in Java 1.5.0. 

Update:  I've been contacted by SuSE.  
                Seems they will be releasing updated Java packages as of tomorrow to cater for this. 

"What is virtualization?" many of you may well be asking.

Virtualization is a method over being able to split computer into small discrete units where you can run more than one operating system at a time.  The majority of computers sit idle for 99% of the time.  Utilising virtualization allows you to get the most out of your computer.

Virtualization has traditionally been used on mainframes, but has made the move in recent years down to UNIX, Linux and mid-range systems, and now is making a big splash in 2006 on PC market.

Until early last year, desktop chip-makers didn't have special CPU instructions that make virtualization perform at near native speeds, so the virtualization software always ran slower than a native operating system.

However with the release of Intel's VT and soon-to-be-released AMD's Pacifica technology it will ensure that virtual machines will run at near native speeds.  This makes virtual computing a reality to many for the first time! 

Why would you bother with a virtual PC? There are many reasons:

1. One could setup say a Linux system as their 'native' operating system and install Microsoft Windows in a virtual machine...  many virtual machines allow you to 'restore' the operating system back to a known state when it is shutdown... making it a very good idea to avoid spyware, trojans and viruses.
2. Separate machines for different family members, allows each person in the house the ability to have their machine and software setup how they like, ensuring that their software and settings doesn't clash with other family members.
3. A perfect way to test that new release of software, prior to installing it on your 'normal' machine.  Why upgrade and wreck your working machine?  Use a virtual machine and test it out first prior to the upgrade.  This ensures you can resolve any potential problems.
4. The best of both worlds - run Windows, Linux and Mac OSX on the same machine.  Excellent for those that find that a particular piece of software doesn't run on their desired operating system.
5. Run different versions of Windows... particularly for legacy applications.
6. Makes backing up your machine much easier.  Particularly as each virtual machine is normally saved in a directory on the 'host' machine, it's as simple as backing up a directory.  Making life easy to ensure each file is backed up and very simple to restore in the case of a disaster! 
7. For developers, they can setup production, testing and development servers easily.
8. Separation of database, file-server and website machines.  Providing a level of security against compromise.
   
9. Pure price savings - less hardware, more machines!   Saving not just on hardware cost, but also on power-consumption.  This means it's a environmentally friendly solution!
10. Ability to run dedicated machines for particular tasks, such as a networked file-server, webserver, Firewall, and even a home VOIP PBX system!

Getting a CPU that supports virtualization isn't the whole picture however.  You need software to run and control each virtual machine.

There is a range of virtualization software on the market including:

• VMWare
• XEN
• Microsoft Virtual PC
• OpenVZ
• Virtuozzo
• QEmu
• Bochs
  
• Parallels

Each of these software solutions may not yet provide the much needed 'Hypervisor' you'll need to take advantage of these new CPUs.   Though both VMWare and XEN are probably the front runners in that area.

The beauty of XEN is that it is open-source, ensuring you can have a free solution without any cost.  Whilst VMWare solutions are coming down in price, as well as some free product offerings.  VMware has been a long-time favourite in many medium-large organisations for some time.

So keep you ear to the ground, you'll be hearing much more about virtualization over the year.

I find life with the Internet is as common as getting up in the morning.
I often find that routine tasks I used to use a manual system I rely more and more on online equivalents.

Here is a quick run down of some of the quick resources I use regularly.

• Dictionary - Easy to use when you're looking for a dictionary for a quick lookup of a word.
• Thesaurus - Great when you're finding 'that' word.
• Urban Dictionary - For common 'slang' and non-formal English, handy for forums and the like.
• Flickr - Find a particular photo you are after.
• Wikipedia - Great online encyclopedia.
• Computing Dictionary - Excellent way to find the definition for those computing acronyms!
• Movie Database - IMDb contains everything you ever need to know about a movie or television show.
  

Best of all, a lot of these are available as Firefox search plugins.  This means you can drop down the list where the Google search sits in the top corner and select your desired website and type in your search option.  Very funky!

There is a bunch of other sites that regularly make it to my bookmarks and it includes:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• Australian PostCode search
• White Pages and Yellow Pages
• WhereIs
• TV Guide
• Travel Time on the roads
• OnlineConversion - covert any measurement!

These are just a few of the sites I use on a regular basis.   My local web database has thousands of sites -- ensuring everything is only a click or two away. 

So what sites do you rely on to quench your thirst for knowledge?

Microsoft are poised to announce the release of their next operating system later this year.  Windows Vista will have some fancy new features... that will give you the "ohhhs and ahhhhs" for all but 15 minutes.... but under the hood is still a lot of existing Windows features from Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

What's worse is the eye-candy that will be on by default that regular users won't know how to disable ensures they'll almost certainly require a new computer to get reasonable performance out of it.

Basically you should expect to have:

• Pentium 4 or AMD 64 processor or better.
• 512MB of RAM (though I would recommend 1GB - 2GB if you want any decent response).
• A high end video card (with at least 128MB of Video RAM - preferably with 256MB of Video RAM).

The majority of home computers won't make the grade. 

What's worse, is that Microsoft are likely to start the 'only for Vista' program that many patches and security updates have occurred for Windows XP. (For example some patches for Windows XP though vulnerable under Windows 2000 and Windows 98 were not made available -- Microsoft's stance:  Upgrade to XP).
Microsoft are touting that Vista will be the 'most secure OS to date'.   This might be true of Windows... but isn't so when compared to the likes of Linux or Macintosh Operating Systems.    I don't like Microsoft's chances... they have already had a security update to plug a vulnerability (and the product hasn't even shipped!) 

The most annoying feature is that all this eye candy serves little to no purpose.  The WinFS has long been scratched from Vista; which would have moved computing into new grounds.  

Also DRM will be built directly into the operating system.  So don't expect music or video you download to run on your computer unless you have a license!    Add to it 'Trusted Computing' where it can be used by software manufacturers (ie: Microsoft) to control your computer without your permission.   Under such schemes, users will not be able to stop Microsoft from scanning your entire hard-drive, and logging it's contents or even your Email and confidential files.  I certainly won't be allowing such an invasion of my privacy for the 'privledge' of using their software that I buy!

One thing that is bound to catch people out is that Microsoft are getting tougher on their licensing models.   Traditionally people who bought a computer, or new CPU/motherboard or the like would buy the OEM version of Windows and install that.  It is generally around $100-$200 cheaper than the 'retail' product.

However, Microsoft has stated they will force people into buying full retail product versions at these inflated costs.  You can still buy an OEM version, but if your motherboard, CPU or Hard-Drive gets replaced, don't expect Microsoft to let you use your OEM version...  nope...   it's a once only license.

So before you think you must upgrade to that shiney version of Windows later this year, ensure you read up... there are many pitfalls to this new version that are bound to catch consumers out. 

Work is insane.... there is no other word that describes it.

Currently job loads are probably up 300-400% from 'normal operations'.   Though no additional resources have been brought in....  it's just "Get the job done".

That type of management can survive for a short period, but can never be sustained.   People are pulling 40+ hours at home ON TOP of their usual 40-60 hour week in the office. 

I've told them I'm not doing on-call...  the management thought they could pull a swifty and pay me half of what the fulltime employees get, and no penalty rates for afterhours, weekend and public holiday work.   

Looks like that's one that has back-fired in their face.     I've flatly refused to do any on-call/overtime until something reasonable is put on the table.

 Unfortunately it means the FTE have to carry the load and they are already at breaking point... so I am expecting it will hit the fan big time next week....

For a 24x7 operation it's about time they cough up the $$$s and run seperate shifts...  you can't expect people who work all day to then turn around and work all night and are then expected to return to work the next day!  I don't know what they are thinking... 

So for the interim...  I'm doing the usual 40 hour week... which suits be fine.     I can finally catch up on my sleep and remember what bed is!  

I'm just about finished my week of on-call support.

So far I've still got tonight to go and all the way through until 8:30am on Monday and I've clocked up ~28hours  (most in the wee-hours and weekend work)   -- that is on top of my normal 40 hours!

Don't expect much from me this week... I'm likely to be getting a lot of sleep!

For those interested, SusE Linux 10.1 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, April 13^th 2006 (That's likely to be Friday 14^th for us Aussies!)

The move from 10.0 to 10.1 will include some nice upgrades features:

• Linux Kernel 2.6.16 (currently at RC3)
• Glibc 2.3.90
• Kexec (boot Linux directly from Linux without going through the BIOS - meaning you could use a IntelMac for Linux!)
• NetworkManager
• AppArmour
• Xen 3.0
  
• Evolution 2.6 Beta
• Firefox 1.5.0.1
• OpenOffice.org 2.0.1 RC2
• SpamAssassin 3.1
• Thunderbird 1.5
• Gnome 2.12.1
• KDE 3.5.1

There is nothing ground-breaking coming in 10.1... it's more a polished update.   For those with 10.0 -- the biggest thing you will notice is the added polish and updated versions of either Gnome or KDE (which ever you use).  AppArmour is also something that will be on by default and adds additional security to your system. 

Expect the final release will update a few things (like Firefox and OpenOffice and a final released kernel), but it will remain pretty static until then. 

In any instance it will build on the great work already there and add additional polish.  It's also likely to boot much faster with some of the cleanup from the Super project being added. 

I'm hoping that Xgl is included in the final build... as this would be fantastic to use!