Blog

🕑Feb 04, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬0

Open-Source Mesh Networks

In this chapter of the book, I wrote about Mesh Networking as being the cutting edge of wide area networks. At that writing, there were a couple of proprietary mesh networking systems in place, one consisting of wireless lamp-posts in the UK.

🕑Feb 01, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬0

What's broken in Windows?

As a computer consultant helping small businesses, one of the first things I do is install Firefox on the Windows computers. While there are still a handful of sites that only work with Internet Explorer, universally I find new users like the Fox...

🕑Jan 30, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬0

Linux much less vulnerable on Internet

A couple of interesting stories here. First of all, it takes about 4 minutes for an unpatched Windows machine connected to the Internet without a firewall to be compromised.

🕑Jan 25, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬3

A laptop, coffee, and disaster recovery

Last week, my laptop died a sudden, spectacular death by drowning as a full cup of coffee poured into its keyboard. It emitted a pop sound, and the screen and all power shut off.

What would be your reaction? Mine was to immediately unplug the power cord and remove the battery. Then I took it over to the sink and poured out the coffee. Remembering tales of people flushing keyboards with water, I ran some fresh water over the keys and then set to work. I removed the keyboard, the palm rest, a few of the inner cards, and let it sit without power for several hours. Apparently not long enough.

🕑Jan 15, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬0

Linux will command a much greater share of the Desktop Market

A Linux Journal article by Tom Adelstein argues that studies that show 6% of desktops to be run on Linux in the next three years doesn't take into account all the viruses, worms, and vulnerabilities of Windows. He predicts more like 25% market penetration in this space.

🕑Jan 03, 2005 🖋John Locke 💬2

Getting rid of Quickbooks

LinuxPlanet has a review of open source and Linux accounting software. Unfortunately, they omitted what I consider to be the best for most small businesses, the fantastic SQL Ledger program.

🕑Dec 28, 2004 🖋John Locke 💬0

Open Source sneaking into small businesses

Many small businesses are starting to use Linux and open source solutions without even realizing it. They're helped along by consultants who offer better solutions at lower costs, a nice combination for any business. Nice story at the MIT Enterprise Technology Review: