Linux Weekly News reports: “m-o-o-t is an interesting security project in a nascent phase. The project is based in the UK and
spurred on by the passing of the RIPAPart3 law, which gives the government broad power to demand
plaintext copies or cryptographic keys for deciphering encrypted content. Between this type of law and
activities such as the US FBI’s Carnivore, people are quickly finding the truth of the old saying, ‘the only safe
place is inside your head.'”

The LinuxNews Team submitted this news from a post at Themes.org: “Last week, VA Linux Systems received a letter from Apple Computer, Inc. objecting to some themes hosted on the
Themes.org website. Apple sux? Huh? I can’t wait to see MS requesting removal of Win9x themes.”

Newsforge reader Chandrashekhar Bhosle writes: “This second article in the series
at FreeOS.com takes you through TCP wrappers, OpenSSH, disabling unnecessary services and better monitoring of system activity by using unique log files to monitor specific information.”

Nando Times reports that 55,000 credit cards numbers were stolen from CreditCards.com and held for ransom.

– by Tina Gasperson –

If relational databasing for Linux is your thing, here’s a Pal for you. Pal Domokos, that is. He’s put together the most “un-egotistical” collection of Linux resources for relational databases like SQL, Adabas, and Informix, just to name a few.Why “un-egotistical?” There’s no hint of “check us out” here — it’s just quiet signposts to all the best information. Not a single “about us” link to be found. Domokos’ own description of the site tells it all: “This site is a compilation of the best free online readings about relational databases on Linux. If you’re a Linux RDBMS/database administrator, a database designer/developer, or simply a Linux user with database ambitions, you’ll find links to valuable resources here: articles, papers, and books on various aspects of relational database management. Needless to say, much of this material is more or less applicable to other (UNIX) environments, too.”

The site is quick-loading, graphics-free, and perfectly organized for easy navigation. He’s done an excellent job of collecting fresh information for research and self-study — and not just for database information, either. The secret about Pal’s site is that, even if you’re not into RDBMS, you’re going to find some good stuff here.

There are three top-level sections for links: RDBMS Independent Topics, RDBMSs, and Linux for Database Professionals.

RDBMS Independent Topics breaks down into sub-topics such as Fundamentals, Data Warehousing, Benchmarks, and Java (to name a few); these are further broken down to individual pages of closely related annotated links. The second main category, RDBMS, has information about the actual databases; and the third, Linux for Database Professionals, has all that great general information on the kernel, meaning of Open Source, security, administration, newbie stuff, and online magazines/discussion sites — again, neatly categorized and sub-divided.

Domokos is no slacker when it comes to keeping the site current, either. The News section holds his reports on weekly updates to linkage. Things are so fresh, you get the feeling he’s there at the same time you are, dusting off the shelves, polishing the chrome, arranging the merchandise just so. Much care has gone into this resource, and it shows. You’ll enjoy discovering new resources at Pal’s Linux RDBMS Library, so go check it out.

If you know of a site worthy to be showcased in our weekly Web site review, please share it with me.

NewsForge editors read and respond to comments posted on our discussion page.

From OSOpinion: “A while back, I lighted on the now standard debate on the merits of Linux and related Operating Systems versus those of Microsoft Windows NT. One thing eventually got me thinking. In every posting that claimed success with using NT, the factor that was claimed as the guarantee of success was never NT’s ‘superior’ technology, which has been Microsoft’s line all along, but instead the time spent in doing things right.” –Kelly McNeill

Computer World reports that the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has proposed guidelines for dealing with software piracy on on-line auction sites.

After some doubt, LinuxFEST in Belgrade, Yugoslavia will happen. Their press release is at linuxfest.org.yu.

Upside Today looks at the state of software today as the art of software design matures.

“An attacker with read access to the victim user’s home directory, and therefore to the configuration file in which the encrypted password is stored, could potentially gain access to the victim user’s private mail messages. If an administrator’s account is exploited in this way, system passwords or other sensitive information could be disclosed, supporting further breaches of the host’s security.” Full details at SecurityFocus.