It's no secret that Windows security is akin to that of cheesecloth. As if you needed yet another reason to switch to a real operating system, let's take a look at how to get administrative access on any Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or 7 box that you can physically access, and change the boot medium on.

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Straight out of the hak5 wiki, I've been trying to build my own USB Switchblade. Unfortunately, at the time of the episode, the best we had was Windows XP. Well, time has passed, things have changed, and I'm sitting on a Windows 7 box (honestly, I only use it for gaming), and I no longer have an XP box in the house. The instructions for creating a Switchblade involve running a utility that reflashes your U3 capable USB thumbdrive with a custom .iso that includes all your fun tools. Unfortunately, Windows Vista and Windows 7 operate quite a bit differently than Windows XP, and the utility that reflashes your pen drive complains that "you can only update one U3 compatible device at a time," and that you should "unplug all other devices." Fortunately, I have found a solution.

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There is no doubt that we will soon run out of IPv4 space. To remedy this problem, IPv6 was developed. Linux and Mac OS X have inherit IPv6 support, and many people are still avoiding Vista in lieu of XP. Unfortunately, Windows XP does not have the built in IPv6 support that comes inherit with newer operating systems.

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Sitting in the dark, as many of us geekly types often do, I don't look out the window much. I also don't like surprises. Needless to say, I don't like clamoring out of my cove only to find that it's raining. Or snowing. Or 127º. So, I came up with a simple solution: let Geektool keep me up to date with the weather. This script requires you to have lynx installed, so if you don't already have it, head on over to MacPorts or Fink and grab yourself a copy (either sudo fink install lynx or sudo port install lynx, depending on your flavor.) Dump the following script into your favorite editor, and chmod +x it. (I threw mine into /usr/bin). (continue reading...)

Introduction

Continuing with our articles on backups, let's talk for a minute about backsups in Windows. Sure, you've been raked over the coals by paying for Windows (and the subsequent "downgrade" back to XP), Windows Software, and the extra hardware you need to actually use Windows, so why should we have to pay for a backup solution too? Backups are important. Not having software to backup your computer with is no excuse to turn your back on this essential part of computer-ownership. There are so many solutions out there - Ghost, the integrated Windows Backup utility, or even the User State Migration Tool for a pseudo-backup. While Ghost can do the job, it isn't free. There's always the fact that Microsoft never actually released the source code, or drivers, for NTFS, so doing a partition clone is at your own risk. In my experience, cloning back to a drive from a Ghost backup leaves the system with certain inherent instability risks. Alas, in a time of need, an unstable backup is better than nothing. Who knows, your mileage may vary.

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lineMy script is finally finished. Nobody else has created a script like this, and I wonder why not? There are plenty of system builders out there: small shops, OEM builders, etc etc etc. You would think they would like a script like this? I digress. This script will set your background based on your current aspect ratio, as well as set your OEM information. (continue reading...)