Introduction to Perl File Handles

Perl is an extremely powerful and handy tool for any system administrator.  Here we will look at different ways that perl can interact with files on your system. 

Eye Candy for Ubuntu

By the end of this article you should have the ability to setup some pretty fancy graphic enhancements to your ubuntu 9.04 installation.  The program we will be using to accomplish these amazing abilities is called Compiz.  This article will walk you through exactly how to get compiz up and running along with customizing your entire desktop experience.

MAC vs. PC

Advertising campaigns are used to brainwash potential customers into choosing a side.  The MAC vs. PC advertising campaign has been an ongoing source of entertainment for quite a while now.  Lets take a look at not only the commercials, but the various benefits and shortcomings of choosing one over the other

Hunting Rootkits

Rootkits are in season all year long and hackers love to deploy them on the computers of unsuspecting users.  The problem with rootkits begins with thier very purpose which is evading detection.  Rootkits can be used to allow covert unauthorized access into your systems at a low level which is extremely difficult to detect.  Once a hacker rootkits your system all kinds of nasty evasion tactics can be implemented which can make them almost invisible to the system owner.  Commands can be modified to hide running processes while at the same time still providing the expected functionality to the system administrator.  Combine this with other various techniques and the hacker will prove extremely difficult to notice.  Without being noticed they can freely command your server at will and catching some of these system breaches requires the skills of a computer forensics expert.  There are a few tools that attempt to help system administrators hunt down rootkits and become aware of thier existence.