- Blind-sysadmins - lists.hodgsonfamily.org

newegg's shuttle barebones systems?
by David Mehler 01 Nov '12

01 Nov '12

Hello, Has anyone bought any of these barebones systems from newegg? If so, what did you think pro conn of them? Thanks. Dave.

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Protocol for specifying mobo topology in text format (was: newegg's shuttle barebones systems?)
by John G. Heim 01 Nov '12

01 Nov '12

So here's my rough idea for specifying mobo topology in text format. 1. The mobo is oriented according to how it would appear in an ATX tower case. The ports are in the back. The top is the edge toward the top of the case. I don't know about laptop/embedded systems mobos. That will take some work. The "front" of a switch, for example, is difficult to define. But at least its fairly eeasy for regular mobos. 2. Each connector is specified by its nearest distance from any 2 orthoganal edges. It can be distance from back/bottom, back/top, front/bottom, or front/top. The distance from the back is a positive number. The distance from the front is a negative number. Distance from the bottom is positive. Distance from the top is negative. So for example, most mobos have a PCI slot near the bottom back of the mobo. You could give its location as 1/1.4 cm. That would mean its nearest point is 1 cm from the back and 1.4 cm from the bottom. You could also give it as -15.3/-10.2 cm. That would mean its nearest point is 15.3 cm from the front and 10.2 cm from the top. Optionally, a manufacturer can give 2 sets of numbers specifying opposite cornders of a connector. 1.0/1.4, -15.3/-10.2 would mean the connector is located in a rectangle with one corner located 1.0 cm from the back and 1.4 cm from the bottom and the opposite corner is located 15.3 cm from the front and 10.2 cm from the top. 3. Pins on a header block are numbered from left to right and top to bottom. A header with 2 rows of 5 pins would be 1,32,3,4,5 on the top row and 6,7,8,9,10 in the second row. This is true regardless of the orientation of the header block. If its 5 rows of 2 columns, the pins would be numbered 1 2, 3 4, 5 6, 7 8, 9 10. To specify the pins for the connection, you simply give the numbers. For example if the power LED has to be connected to the rightmost pins on a header block containing 2 rows of 5 pins, you'd say the power LED connector is on pins 5 & 10. -----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of David Mehler Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 11:14 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] newegg's shuttle barebones systems? Hello, I wouldn't mind finding the good samaratin how did you do this? As for a standard protocol I'm all for it, it sounds great! Thanks. Dave. On 11/1/12, John G. Heim <jheim(a)math.wisc.edu> wrote: > I hate to always give the same answer to all questions but I have been > contemplating starting a project through the International Association > of Visually Impaired Technologists (www.iavit.org) to deal with this problem. > I > was thinking of trying to develop a protocol for specifying > motherboard connections in an accessible format and then getting > manufacturers to include it in their docs. > > But I think the only other solution is to get sighted assistance. Last > time I built a machine, some good Samaritan in England (I'm in > Wisconsin) talked me through making the connections. He downloaded the > manual and sent me email explaining how to connect everything. That > was awesome but it was a slow, difficult process. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Blind-sysadmins > [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of > David Mehler > Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2012 9:18 AM > To: Blind sysadmins list > Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] newegg's shuttle barebones systems? > > Hi, > > I can get most of it, but I'd like to get all. The snafus are the CPU, > getting it in right, and the leads and specifically the power button. > > Thanks. > Dave. > > > On 11/1/12, Scott Granados <scott(a)granados-llc.net> wrote: >> Just to add to the noise thread, before I jumped on the Mac band >> wagon my last few machines were water cooled. I'll admit noise >> wasn't a concern for me it just happened that water cooling had the >> benefit of being damn near silent. Mac's interestingly are very >> quiet but you don't have the learning experience and gain the skills >> you do by building > your own machine. >> >> On Oct 31, 2012, at 3:24 PM, vic.pereira(a)ssc-spc.gc.ca wrote: >> >>> On the topic of noise there is always a bit of a trade off. If you >>> want to use smaller boxes with processors that have multiple cores >>> they will run very warmly. The fans will be pushing as much air to >>> cool the system as one in a larger case. Towers tend to be quieter >>> due to the fact they have a lot of vacant space. Low profile systems >>> will be noisier and even rack mounted systems, because the fans need >>> to work hard to keep things cool and sometimes smaller fans need to >>> be used. If these are operating at higher RPMs and have smaller >>> channels to push out that warm air it will make noise. >>> >>> Vic >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Blind-sysadmins >>> [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf >>> Of Ben Mustill-Rose >>> Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 1:49 PM >>> To: Blind sysadmins list >>> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] newegg's shuttle barebones systems? >>> >>> I agree with John, but to add a couple of points: >>> Shuttles aren't overly small anymore in comparison to what you can >>> build. >>> It's possible in fact probable that you'll be buying shuttle >>> specific parts which will make it harder in the future wen one of them dies. >>> >>> I treated myself to a new system earlier in October actually and I >>> built it all myself; the only thing I haven't been able to connect >>> is the leds on the front; I'm sure that if I had the inclination I >>> could sit down with my keyring light probe and get it sorted though. >>> Personally I find it a really fun experience. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Ben. >>> >>> On 10/31/12, John G. Heim <jheim(a)math.wisc.edu> wrote: >>>> I have avoided buyng a bare bones system because you can't know >>>> how >>> noisy >>>> it will be or how hard it will be to work on. When I build a >>>> machine, >>> I buy >>>> the mainboard, CPU and RAM from newegg and buy a case from a local >>> computer >>>> shop where they let me see how easily I can open it up and how loud >>>> it >>> is. >>>> >>>> Its pretty easy to assemble a PC except for connecting the cables >>>> from >>> the >>>> case to the mainboard. Installing CPU, RAM, and hard disk isn't too >>>> difficult. Some of the wires from the case to the mainboard plug in >>> only >>>> one >>>> way. But I usually have to get sighted assistance to connect the >>>> LEDs, reset and power buttons, front panel audio, etc. Last time I >>>> built a >>> machine, I >>>> got a good Samaritan on the web to send me a text description of >>>> the >>> specs >>>> for connecting those wires. Then I did it myself. >>>> >>>> If you don't want to go through all that (and honestly, I wouldn't >>> blame >>>> you), maybe buying a barebones system from a local computer shop >>>> would >>> be a >>>> good compromise. >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: Blind-sysadmins >>>> [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf >>>> Of >>> David >>>> Mehler >>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 7:19 PM >>>> To: blind-sysadmins >>>> Subject: [Blind-sysadmins] newegg's shuttle barebones systems? >>>> >>>> Hello, >>>> >>>> Has anyone bought any of these barebones systems from newegg? If >>>> so, >>> what >>>> did you think pro conn of them? >>>> >>>> Thanks. >>>> Dave. >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>>> Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>>> http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>>> Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>>> http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >>>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>> Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>> http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>> Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>> http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >> Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org >> http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >> > > _______________________________________________ > Blind-sysadmins mailing list > Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org > http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins > > _______________________________________________ > Blind-sysadmins mailing list > Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org > http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins > _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins(a)lists.hodgsonfamily.org http://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins

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Disabling USB Ports for a user account Windows 7
by Barry Toner 01 Nov '12

01 Nov '12

Hi, The subject says it all really. I found the below article but it's not working, when I log in using the standard user account I've setup previously unused USB devices are still being installed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823732 I'd like to crack this nut using the MS Permissions, but am open to suggestions for other ways of doing this. I've looked at how you can do it using the Registry. However, when I navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor The article calls to click on Start Value . There's no start value I can see with a Screen Reader. I see the Dword stuff and default value. None of this has a value of 3 which is on, 4 is to turn it off. Thoughts? Barry. HK Local machine Barry Toner ICT Assistant ICT Department Clanmil Housing Northern Whig House 3 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2DX Tel: 02890 876000 Fax: 02890 876001

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AVG2012, thumb drives and read only
by David Mehler 01 Nov '12

01 Nov '12

Hello, I don't know how this happened but I was given a thumb drive some while back that had been read read only and unformattable. The partition type as reported by windows was raw. It had been in a 7 box that had AVG standard 2012 on it and somehow AVG apparently made it in to a recovery drive, in doing so the user could not reformat it which is how I got it. What I did was loaded up a Linux virtual machine, ran fdisk on it, wiped the partition, recreated it, the partition showed up under Linux fdisk as HPFS/NTFS/Xfat the latter I had not heard of, I then disconnected and reconnected to the host box, and formatted. It works fine now. In case anyone else has seen this hope this helps. Dave.

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AVG2012, thumb drives and read only
by David Mehler 01 Nov '12

01 Nov '12

Hello, I don't know how this happened but I was given a thumb drive some while back that had been read read only and unformattable. The partition type as reported by windows was raw. It had been in a 7 box that had AVG standard 2012 on it and somehow AVG apparently made it in to a recovery drive, in doing so the user could not reformat it which is how I got it. What I did was loaded up a Linux virtual machine, ran fdisk on it, wiped the partition, recreated it, the partition showed up under Linux fdisk as HPFS/NTFS/Xfat the latter I had not heard of, I then disconnected and reconnected to the host box, and formatted. It works fine now. In case anyone else has seen this hope this helps. Dave.

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PRTG Enterprise
by Barry Toner 31 Oct '12

31 Oct '12

Hi folks, I'm not long started a new job. As part of my role my manager would like me to monitor network traffic. More in-terms of being pro-active than for any specific task at the moment. He has provided me a link to the monitoring software they are using. I know he is open to suggestions if there's a more accessible solution for someone with a screen reader. Do any of you have experience with using PRTG Enterprise? The Web UI isn't bad until you get to the monitoring stuff, then it's nice red/green ticks and so forth to say if things are running happy or not. So, er yeah, sorry can't access that information and there's no text I can find to get the same information. I'm just about to poke around it's settings and documentation to see if there's another way I can get a more text-based view of things. There's also a Desktop client I can download but I'd imagine that'll be pretty pictures as well. Hey ho I'll havea look at it just in case. What network monitoring software are you guys using? BTW I believe this has an IOS app so that's another avenue I can look at. Barry Toner ICT Assistant ICT Department Clanmil Housing Northern Whig House 3 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2DX Tel: 02890 876000 Fax: 02890 876001

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newegg's shuttle barebones systems?
by David Mehler 31 Oct '12

31 Oct '12

Hello, Has anyone bought any of these barebones systems from newegg? If so, what did you think pro conn of them? Thanks. Dave.

1 0

PRTG Enterprise
by Barry Toner 30 Oct '12

30 Oct '12

Hi folks, I'm not long started a new job. As part of my role my manager would like me to monitor network traffic. More in-terms of being pro-active than for any specific task at the moment. He has provided me a link to the monitoring software they are using. I know he is open to suggestions if there's a more accessible solution for someone with a screen reader. Do any of you have experience with using PRTG Enterprise? The Web UI isn't bad until you get to the monitoring stuff, then it's nice red/green ticks and so forth to say if things are running happy or not. So, er yeah, sorry can't access that information and there's no text I can find to get the same information. I'm just about to poke around it's settings and documentation to see if there's another way I can get a more text-based view of things. There's also a Desktop client I can download but I'd imagine that'll be pretty pictures as well. Hey ho I'll havea look at it just in case. What network monitoring software are you guys using? BTW I believe this has an IOS app so that's another avenue I can look at. Barry Toner ICT Assistant ICT Department Clanmil Housing Northern Whig House 3 Waring Street Belfast BT1 2DX Tel: 02890 876000 Fax: 02890 876001

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linux admin question, ssh restricting a user
by David Mehler 14 Oct '12

14 Oct '12

Hello, I've got a Linux Admin question. I'm running a server and want to allow a user to manage a pair of web sites. Previously this was done with ftp, specifically pure-ftpd server. I want to get away from ftp finally. My standard users connect to the box via ssh. I have disabled password authentication for ssh in favor of public key authentication. My first chalenge is I don't want this user to be able to access the filesystem when connected. I was thinking a sftp chroot. He uses Dreamweaver MX2004 to do his web sites, I should mention there are two of them located in /srv/site1/public_html and /srv/site2/public_html for ilustrative purposes. He also doesn't have a public/private key and I wouldn't want him to have one. That issue was easy, I did a Match Group in sshd and in that block enabled password authentication. As that user I have connected and it does work, a public key is not needed to connect. The second issue sftp chroot is proving to be a problem. I've got the two site locations and neither sym links nor hard links will work. This is where I'm stuck. If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them. Thanks. Dave.

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linux admin question, ssh restricting a user
by David Mehler 14 Oct '12

14 Oct '12

Hello, I've got a Linux Admin question. I'm running a server and want to allow a user to manage a pair of web sites. Previously this was done with ftp, specifically pure-ftpd server. I want to get away from ftp finally. My standard users connect to the box via ssh. I have disabled password authentication for ssh in favor of public key authentication. My first chalenge is I don't want this user to be able to access the filesystem when connected. I was thinking a sftp chroot. He uses Dreamweaver MX2004 to do his web sites, I should mention there are two of them located in /srv/site1/public_html and /srv/site2/public_html for ilustrative purposes. He also doesn't have a public/private key and I wouldn't want him to have one. That issue was easy, I did a Match Group in sshd and in that block enabled password authentication. As that user I have connected and it does work, a public key is not needed to connect. The second issue sftp chroot is proving to be a problem. I've got the two site locations and neither sym links nor hard links will work. This is where I'm stuck. If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them. Thanks. Dave.

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