Finally switched to linux... what now?

[freeztar]

I'm not really concerned about my wireless NIC right now. It doesn't work good in Ubuntu, so it's likely a kernel level problem (though others claim that the updates work for them).

 

Keep in mind, I'm a newbie. I'm not afraid of CLI, but my knowledge is limited there.

 

If I could just get my wired ethernet, external mouse, and sound working, I'll be happy.

 

I'll try out the alsaconfig suggestion as root. I'll also keep a close eye on bootup and check out the /rc.d dir. Beyond that, I'm like a fish out of water.

[enorbet2]

Hey Freeze

Yeah a fish out of water, maybe, but one with a terralung, a brain, and good docs as well as a buddy(s) willing to help. Speaking of which if you use IRC do not go to #Linux without shields up, cloaking on, and plenty of photon torpedoes. However #slackware is full of good people who are very patient and helpful of all levels of new and crusty.

[freeztar]

Hey Freeze

Yeah a fish out of water, maybe, but one with a terralung, a brain, and good docs as well as a buddy(s) willing to help. Speaking of which if you use IRC do not go to #Linux without shields up, cloaking on, and plenty of photon torpedoes. However #slackware is full of good people who are very patient and helpful of all levels of new and crusty.

 

I'm familiar with shields and photon torpedoes in Windoze, but what is the Linux equivalent? What are the best security tools for Linux?

 

Update, I installed Ubuntu 9.04 and it is working great! My wireless NIC (RTL8187B) finally works! My eternal, undying thanks to whoever finally sussed it and added it to the kernel!

 

So, I'm typing in Ubu now and considering trying the xorg comparison to get slackware fully functional. Any other advice I should know about?

 

(currently reloading packages )

[enorbet2]

OK Freeze just as the first order of business when you buy a new house is to get the keys, the first thing one wants to do in a new virtual house is get the keys also.

 

Reminder to self-professed "gurus":: I love the power and flexibility of command line as much as anyone with two caveats - 1) I'm trying to help someone get setup and see the value of a manual vs/ automatic system. If they like it they will become motivated to learn more at their own pace. It is not my intention to either massage my ego or drag someone into any so-called "correct way, so my answers/help here may blend CLI with GUI work, often leaning toward GUI because that's what most people in this thread, and the ones most importantly here, can relate to. 2) It's still true that a picture is worth 1000 words - so GUI haters can bugger off. So specifically, Freeze, I'd rather offend your sensibilities by being too simple than appear 1337 but leave you confuzzled.

 

OK, disclaimer now in place, we proceed. There are 3 GUI apps in KDE that are immediately helpful to get a "big picture" idea of what's going on - 3 in addition to ControlCenter and KInfoCenter already mentioned. They are as follows:

 

1) KSysGuard - very similar to windoze "taskmanager" monitoring running processes (and able to kill them) and system resource usage/performance

 

2)KPackage - overview of installed packages complete with list of associated files and their locations can also handle installing/uninstalling Slackware (and other) packages and even will uninstall duplications or version overlaps without removing any needed libraries from the earlier version

 

3)kfmclient - the local version of Konqueror as a file/resource/swiss army knife system manager and I recommend you make both user and SuperUser readily available (note: use it enough and it will gain a near permanent location as preferred app on top of your main "K" menu). In file manager mode, kfmclient, especially in Slackware as it is custom tweaked for it, the access and power is nothing short of stunning. Until you become familiar with the more powerful command line search functions, the lowly file finder is of considerable help, especially since relocating by "new and improved" distros is the first step toward "proprietrianism" so you will need to see where things are properly located and be able to edit/run/view them on-the-spot. It does that and more.

 

OK Shields - IIRC we got started on the specifics because Alexander stated that building packages from scratch was a recursive pita and not worth the effort. Aside from all the options available during builds which pre-compiled packages have decided for you (or against you), I wanted to showcase how easy it is to build from scratch when one has a properly designed and executed system setup for development and "shields" is a perfect lesson.

 

Download "GuardDog" here using the link at the bottom for "sources mirror":

 

Guarddog Download - Softpedia

 

In your $Home directory unpack it.

This is best done with command line, but in case you, or anyone else reading this, are unfamiliar it is a breeze in kfmclient. Just rt-clk and select "extract here" since source tars have the subdirectory coded in. You can watch as it is created.

 

Go to that subdirectory and read "README" and especially "INSTALL" so you know what is needed and expected.

 

Then open a user terminal and "cd ./ guard..." just type that much and strike the "Tab" key and if all is well location and command wise, linux will fill in the rest, so hit "Enter"

 

Once in the "guarddog-version-foo" directory just type the following (w/o quotes)

"./configure"

"make"

"su"

"make install"

 

The compile is done. No extra parameters. No worrying about dependencies since they are already in there. Wham! Bam! Top O the mornin to ye.

 

All you need to do now is configure how you want the app to run and activate it.

I'd suggest running "kdesu guarddog" from terminal but you can also rt-clk on the desktop and "Create New>Link to Application" and type the command in "application>command" and you have a clickable icon on your desktop.

 

The setup defaults to UltraParanoid and shuts down everything but the config to open up what you want or need couldn't be simpler. It guides you right in the GUI config as well as having great docs, great help files, and an online FAQ. You should read some but you'll see that GuardDog barely needs it. Just go to the "protocol" tab and see that there are only 3 possible choices blocked, permitted, and rejected.

Rule of thumb uncheck only those you know you need or until your online service resumes - Super Secure! The Shields Up site ran for over an hour, could only resolve the first 543 ports (all Stealthed but one which was closed)

 

OK last step to engage shields

 

From root terminal type

 

"ln -s /etc/rc.firewall /etc/rc.d/rc.firewall"

 

because Slackware keeps virtually all boot scripts in that one "etc/rc.d" directory making it easy to fix, say, ethernet module loading, network connections, wireless config and on and on.

 

That's everything except one of the very rare times you should reboot so that firewall loads before networking starts. Done and done!

 

more on your nic soon

[Southtown]

Any tips on software updates like which sites to monitor for security holes or toolkit bugs etc., etc.?

[DFINITLYDISTRUBD]

News Flash!!

Amazing Discovery!!!

Macs Get Sick Too!!!!!!!!:)

 

Sorry.....I'll behave......

 

Still pretty weird specially with all the commercials claiming otherwise.....I always believed it possible....just never heard of it before....was browsing the news at a few fave haunts lookin for an article about XP Antivirus (which is in reality a virus) for a friend and apparently it's becoming quite dangerous to be a Mac:hihi: Serves em right smug bass terds!!!

[enorbet2]

Any tips on software updates like which sites to monitor for security holes or toolkit bugs etc., etc.?

 

Most updates are kernel related in Linux so can be followed at kernel.org

 

Distros tend to maintain their own as well, both kernel mirrors and those special to their customized systems.

 

General and specifics can be seen here:

Linux-Sec.net

 

but I like the community at Slashdot - News for nerds, stuff that matters

 

There is also a site called bugtrax or bugtracker but I forget since it has been so long since I followed it.

 

Despite leaving my Slackware system nearly permanently online for almost 7 years now, with varying levels of security but zero installed antivirus or anti malware software (beyond dropping of cookies) checking roughly once a year with clean LiveCD and FProt has revealed not one infection. This is probably somewhat "security through obscurity" since Linux is still a small market share, but a good dual firewall and proper permissions (and intrusion detection like "tripwire" for the really paranoid) go a long way especially when combined with sensible practices. One doesn't open attachments from a stranger nor visit, say, "astalavista.box.sk" without a wary eye and tighter settings oin the firewall.

[Southtown]

Thanks for the input. I just read a page over at the LFS howto regarding manual package upgrading. They recommend full recompile but damn... I'm thinking I'll try the symlink method since that seems more familiar.

 

6.3. Package Management

[enorbet2]

Thanks for the link Southtown. Good to see LFS is progressing nicely since I last tried it...Love the KISS philosophy and devotion to structure. While on the subject of symlinks I thought some might enjoy this

 

Hard Links and Symbolic Links

[enorbet2]

Hey Guys

Though it might be cool (if this works out) to post a desktop screenshot from my oldest Slackware box (don't sweat the CPU Temp - old Celey HEAVILY OC'd) and encourage others to post theirs. If this isn't the place, just tell me.

[Southtown]

Hey Guys

Though it might be cool (if this works out) to post a desktop screenshot from my oldest Slackware box (don't sweat the CPU Temp - old Celey HEAVILY OC'd) and encourage others to post theirs. If this isn't the place, just tell me.

F it, dude. Like... linux what next and all...

[Southtown]

Hey Guys

Though it might be cool (if this works out) to post a desktop screenshot from my oldest Slackware box (don't sweat the CPU Temp - old Celey HEAVILY OC'd) and encourage others to post theirs. If this isn't the place, just tell me.

Not OC'd or tweaked much at all.

[enorbet2]

Hey Southtown

Is that 1st one Beryl or Compiz-Fusion? Sweet looking in any case.

[Southtown]

Thanks, it's Compiz-Fusion with cube deformation and 3d windows.