Mepis 6.0 Final Released

Now that Windows 98 and Me have reached the end of their support cycle, many folks are wary about no longer receiving security updates, and for good reason. Windows XP SP1 loses support by Microsoft in October. Are these systems going to be easy prey for for virus and malware writers? Are the antivirus and anti-malware software solutions going to continue to support these older operating systems? Can your older hardware support an upgrade to Windows XP SP2? Older systems are definitely not a candidate for the upcoming Windows Vista, so what is one to do? Maybe you are just plain tired of Microsoft's latest scare tactics and invasion of your privacy with their "spyware" called WGA. It may be time for you to consider an alternative to Windows and switch to the latest release of Mepis 6.

Mepis used to be based on the original "live" distribution Knoppix, but is now based on my other favorite distribution Ubuntu/Kubuntu. I used to be torn between Mepis and Ubuntu, but no longer. I can have my cake and eat it too! So what's so great about Mepis? Let's see if we can determine if this is the right system for you.

First, download the latest ISO image from www.mepis.org and burn it to CD. This image is a Live version of Mepis, that will allow you to run it from CD, and if you like what you see, install it to your hard drive. Restart your computer from the CD you just burned and boot into the Live distribution. On the initial launch screen, select F3 on your keyboard and set your preferred graphics resolution. This is the only Linux distribution that supports my laptop's 1280 X 800 resolution "out of the box." Now boot into the live environment and play around. If you have an encrypted wireless connection, make sure to go into Mepis Utilities (Settings | System Admin | Mepis Utilities) and add your SSID and WEP/WPA encryption key. If you like what you see, click on the Install icon on your desktop to install it to your hard drive. Running from the CD is slow because all programs need to load from the CD into RAM to run.

So what's so great about Mepis? Well, first of all, this is the first distribution I have ever used that natively supports a multitude of graphic configurations right out of the box on boot up. It also supports all four of my wireless cards WITHOUT having to configure a Windows driver with NDISWRAPPER. Mepis is now built on the outstanding Ubuntu distro, so you get cutting edge Linux apps and the latest kernel. But the feature that sets it apart from other Linux distributions, especially for newbies, is the excellent Mepis Utilities, formerly known as the Mepis Control Center in previous versions.

This utility can know be found under Settings | System Admin | Mepis Utilities. Mepis Utilities allows the user to reset their X-configuration or repair their GRUB boot loader by starting from the live CD. How many times have you made a graphics change that resulted in X Windows not starting? I know I have done this many time. With Mepis Utilities, all you have to do is restart the conputer with the live CD, go into Mepis Utilities and request that your X-configuration be rewritten using the settings you just used to start in the live environment. You can also restore your GRUB boot loader the same way if something happens. Problems solved.

Although the base install contains a significant amount of software packages, you probably want to enable all repositories in /etc/apt/sources.list so that you can install additional applications thru Synaptic, or for those of you who prefer the CLI, apt-get.

Is Linux ready for the desktop? Mepis 6 proves it is, or is real close.

Internet Worm Poses as WGA

As if there isn't enough controversy about Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage. According to Panda Software, a new Internet worm, Oscarbot.IV, is spread via AOL's Instant Messenger, and installs itself as the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification service, so it get to start every time Windows does.

Thankfully, I run Linux, for the most part.

Internet Connectivity and Windows Slowdowns?

What an interesting week this has been. I have 4 Windows computers in my home and all of them have experienced Internet connectivity and issues and sporadic slowdowns. Two of these machines are hard-wired and two are wireless G. I suspect it has something to do with ANOTHER WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) update that all received this week, but I haven't had time to pursue it too much. One of my Windows machines has a fresh load in it, with just the bare security software installed and all Windows updates. No productivity software, no games, nada. I even opted out of installing the resource hog Symantec Norton Antivirus 2006 on this machine; instead I installed the lean and free Antivir software package.

Last evening, I was attempting to connect to one of my web-based email accounts and received multiple connectivity issues. The darn page would just not load! Tried it on another Windows machine with the same result. Reached over to my dependable Linux box and the page loaded instantly! Tried refreshing the Windows boxes, and still no dice. What gives? I don't know yet, but you can be assured I will get to the bottom of this. In the meantime ...

In my "freetime" this week, the 3 out 4 machines that dual-boot to Linux just got a fresh load of Mepis 6 - Release Candidate 2, and all I can say is WOW! I have always favored the Ubuntu/Kubuntu and Mepis distributions, being torn between the two of them. Stay tuned for my review later on.

Vulnerability in Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Microsoft Security Advisory (921365)
Vulnerability in Excel Could Allow Remote Code Execution

Windows Genuine Advantage is Microsoft Spyware

From Brian Livingston @ Windowsecrets.com

Genuine Advantage is Microsoft spyware

Windows Genuine Advantage — the controversial program Microsoft auto-installed as a "critical security update" on many PCs starting on Apr. 25 — not only causes problems for many users but has now been proven to send personally identifiable information back to Redmond every 24 hours. June 15, 2006

Microsoft to change WGA software after allegation that it is spyware

WGA is spyware? You think?

Microsoft has changed a major "feature" found in its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) software, after receiving an onslaught of complaints from end users. The criticism is in regard to the program's daily check-ins with the company's servers; now, the tool will dial home in 14-day intervals instead of after every system boot. (Source: techtree.com)

Microsoft opted to change the frequency of the WGA check-ins after receiving allegations that the behavior of their software reached the level of Spyware status.

Lauren Weinstein, cofounder of People for Internet Responsibility, recently made the following comments with respect to the Windows Genuine Advantage program:

"I fail to see where Microsoft has a 'need to know' for this data after a system's validity has already been established ... I'll leave it to the [antiSpyware developers] to make a formal determination as to whether this behavior actually qualifies the [WGA] tool as Spyware [itself]." (Source: news.yahoo.com)

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