I’ve found a Software Development Meme (A meme  consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another) on a few blogs I’ve started reading (Larry Clarkin’s and Damon Payne’s), and I thought I would adapt it to the Sysadmin.

How old were you when you started using computers?

I was eight when I first started using computers.  My mom was a teacher for the local public school system and they were just getting computers.  She could bring one home over the summer and I started learning Basic on an Apple II.

What was your first machine?

The first machine we had in our family (other than the ones my mom could bring home) was an Apple II GS.  My first machine was a 486 IBM clone that cost me $2,000 (in 1993) (my summer work money - I was in high school).

What was the first real script you wrote?

The first “real” script I wrote was a Python script to enter addresses into a database system via ADO.

What scripting languages have you used?

I’ve used VBScript (marginally), PowerShell, and Python.

What was your first professional sysadmin gig?

My first professional sysadmin job is the one I currently have, with a local law enforcement agency.  I started officially as the IT Specialist here in April of 2006.

If you knew then what you know now, would have started in IT?

Definitely.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have finished college in the IT realm and started down this path sooner.  However, that might have changed how I’ve ended up, and I really like the position I have now and the opportunities in front of me.

If there is one thing you learned along the way that you would tell new sysadmins, what would it be?

Get involved.  I’ve learned more and met more great people getting involved in community.  By commenting on blogs, podcasting, spending time on IRC in the #powershell channel and participating in PowerShellCommunity.org, I have learned so much and met generous, knowledgeable people.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had scripting?

The 2008 Winter Scripting Games were a blast, even though I got busy with work halfway through, I had a great time.  It was awesome watching the community provide their solutions and see people working on the challenges in the IRC channel and forums.

Who am I calling out?

Rich Niemeier

Keith Albright

Hal Rottenberg

Jonathan Walz

Shay Levy

Aleksandar Nikolic

I caught this one recently on an episode of CyberSpeak (10/15 show)…..

There are a lot of “secure” file deletion applications out there, but these two look quick and simple and can be used on-the-fly from a thumb drive or automated in a script.

SDelete from Sysinternals/Microsoft

Cipher (included with Windows 2000 and above)

Assuming you do the right thing and migrate all of your confidential data to an encrypted TrueCrypt volume, what do you do with the old copies of the data? You can securely erase the data using these tools so that the only recoverable copy is in your encrypted volume.

Some systems use a data interchange folder to integrate two disparate systems. One system will drop an export file in the directory and the other system will import the file from the directory. I’ve seen POS systems integrate to credit card processing systems in this manner. With this tool, you can script a cron job to regularly securely delete the interchange files in the directory.

Just another layer of security to consider.

Recorded: September 4, 2007

Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, Ted Miller, and Steve Murawski

Show Length: 1:50:33
Ted returns this week for a regular format show. We discuss some recent news items; Microsoft shuts down AutoPatcher, SpamHaus gets a legal reprieve, and Sony introduces rootkit 2.0. Rich discusses the appropriateness of companies editing their Wikipedia articles and a look into the future of video on the Internet. Steve discusses employees Cyberslacking habits and the effect on companies. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.

A reminder for Podcamp Philly. Keith will definitely be there on Saturday and possibly Sunday. Drop him a note at Keith [at] acoupleofadmins.com if you want to meet up for lunch.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Podcamp Philly
• Microsoft Takes Down Autopatcher
• Spamhaus off hook for $11 million judgement
• Storm Worm Add Millions To Botnets
• Sony Rootkit 2.0
• Corporate Wikipedia Editing
• The Future Of Internet Video
• I-Caught TV Show
• Foldersize Utility
• Email at Work
  • CIO Magazine
  • Dichotomy
  • Enterprise Networking Planet
  • Law.com

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

Valid Syntax

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Steve’s Pick: www.diigo.com

Keith’s Pick: www.digibarn.com

Rich’s Pick: www.livecdlist.com

Ted’s Pick (By Rich): www.flock.com

Listen Now:

Download Here

Recorded: August 28, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, and Steve Murawski

Show Length: 1:59:32

Steve Murawski joins us again for this regular format show. We hold a lengthy discussion on open WiFi and the legal implications as well as how these cases may affect the innovation and use of WiFi by companies like Fon, etc. We also cover Acer’s purchase of Gateway and the ‘consumerization of IT’. Some technical segments on load balancing and ISP failover on a BSD box, stupid IP address tricks, and a couple utilities to round it up.

Take note of the promos for the Podcamp Philly Un-Conference and plan to attend. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Podcamp Philly
• Wireless Hijaacking in England
• Consumerization of IT
• Citrix Acquires XenSource
• Gunplay Blamed for Internet Slowdown
• WGA Servers Offline
• Acer to Acquire Gateway
• What is a System Administrator
• SlickRun Utility
• Multiple ISP Connections on BSD
• Microsoft Hackers Blog
• Network Time Protocol

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

The Mike Tech Show

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Steve’s Pick: Hanselman.com

Keith’s 1st Pick: Stupid Waste of Time

Keith’s 2nd Pick: Even More Stupid Waste Of Time (NOTE: NSFW)

Rich’s 1st Pick: Boot-Land.net

Rich’s 2nd Pick: Bootdisk.com

Download Here

Recorded: August 21, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, and Steve Murawski

Show Length: 1:11:58

Our second ‘Special Topics’ episode. We welcome Steve Murawski to the show and discuss the need for a Code of Ethics for the IT Profession. Is something like this needed in our profession and why? We close with our suggestions for hiring ethical employees.

Here is a brief outline:

• Do we need a Code of Ethics?

-Does this problem stem from the psychology of the IT professional?

-Incidents in news related to IT professionals crossing the line

-Compare with other professions

-Have laws/regulations done part of the job (HIPAA, SOX, SB 1386, etc)

-What is crossing the line? If I am to be the information steward, do I not have the right to view ALL information?

-What about personal information (that does not belong in the workplace)?

• Can it be enforced?

-With no formal sanctioning body in place (e.g. Board Of Medicine, Bar Assn.) how can it be done.

-Has anyone ever been stripped of their certifications? MCSE, CCNA, etc.

• What can a company do to ensure their employees act ethically?

-Is an employee manual enough?

-Sign contractual ethics guarantee?

-How far does loyalty go?

Links mentioned in this show:

Too many to mention. Please see show notes for links.

View the full shownotes here.

Listen Now:

Download Here

Recorded: August 14, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright and Rich Niemeier

Show Length: 1:33:58

Sorry it took so long to edit and post. I took a couple vacation days and didn’t get to do the final steps.

Just Rich and I this episode…..unless you count ‘Virtual Ted’. Rich and I cover the usual gamut of news topics; Novell/SCO Unix lawsuit, Google’s 700Mhz Spectrum bid, and a NJ beach town’s plans to be the next technological marvel. Rich uncovers follow-up information about the health-risks of laser printers. We discuss what Apple can do to help with lost/stolen iPods and how to audit USB device usage on your network. We end with our website picks and as usual, we hope you enjoy.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Laser Printer Health Risks
• Ocean City NJ Beach Of The Future
• Guy Gets a BSOD Tattoo
• Google Bids On 700Mhz Spectrum
• Novell Wins SCO Lawsuit
• Stolen iPods
• OLPC Update
• Kixtart Quick Reference Guide
• Audit USB Device Usage
• Wi-Spy Spectrum Analyzer

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

None

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: NPA Lookup Tool

Rich’s Pick: New video site - VBS.TV

Download Here

Recorded: August 7, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, Ted Miller, and Otto Kopeczky
Show Length: 1:34:52

This marks the first of ‘Special Topics’ episodes. As we discussed in previous shows, we’ve removed the ‘Main Topic’ section of the show and put it out on it’s own as a round-table discussion. If this works, we are hoping to release a new episode each week alternating between the regular show format and these special topic round-tables.

As for this episode, we previously kicked around tidbits on preserving your digital data safely and securely and decided to do an in-depth discussion. We are joined by Otto Kopeczky, a friend of Ted’s, to add some new viewpoints on the matter. We cover the various types of medias, the myths and realities surrounding their longevity as an archival medium, and some best practices to help preserve your digital data.

Here is a brief outline:

Media Deterioration

• Best practices
• Different Types of media (CD, USB, HDD, etc)
• Life Expectancies for each type
• Media variations (eg. CD-R lasts longer than CD-RW)
• Factors: Humidity, temperature, sunlight exposure, pressure

Technical Obsolescence of media

• Not just physical media, data format as well
• JPG vs. BMP, MP3 vs. WMV, etc.
• Open vs. proprietary

Links mentioned in this show:

Please see the show notes for all links and reference materials. Too many to list.

See the full show notes here.

Download Here

I just got back from the Juniper Networks event; The Bourne Ultimatum was awesome.  If you like the series, then you will definitely like this one.  I listened to an interview with Matt Damon on the way to the event and he promised it had more action scenes than the previous two and he wasn’t kidding.

Oh yeah, and there was some talk about firewalls and network products somewhere in there as well.  Actually, the coolest thing was Juniper giving away three SSG5 firewall appliances with wireless.  Your talking about a $500 security appliance.  It was a nice change from the usual MP3/Digital Camera giveaway.  Unfortunately, I did not win one…..oh well, maybe next time.

Thanks to Allan Sumerfield at Juniper for the invite to the event.

Recorded: July 31, 2007
Your Hosts: Keith Albright, Rich Niemeier, and Ted Miller
Show Length: 1:29:40

This week we cover a variety of news and other topics; We have a brief discussion on technology vendor salespeople, Instant Messaging to interview job candidates, and a new fiber-optic cable. Ted informs us of the deadly threat lurking in our laser printers. As usual, we end with our website picks and we hope you enjoy.
NOTE: I think we finally nailed the sound quality. Let us know what you think.
Links mentioned in this show:

• Digital Pictures Backup Device
• Best Buy’s Geek Squad Tech Steals Porn
• Order food At Safeco Field from your Nintendo DS Lite
• Seven Ways Tech Vendors Blow The Sale
• Corning’s New Fiber
• E-Waste
• Using Instant Messaging In The Interview Process
• Cisco Adds CCENT Certification
• Secunia Personal Software Inspector
• Laser Printer Particle Health Risk

Other podcasts mentioned in this show:

Technorama

PaulDotCom Security Weekly

See the full show notes here.

Website Picks:

Keith’s Pick: Youlicit.com
Rich’s Pick: Free Church Music
Ted’s Pick: Etsy.com

Download Here

I know; Rich and I discussed this on an earlier podcast.  Rather than bring this up on another show, I’ll just refer you to the article. 

I think this is an issue that most IT professionals have to address and I had my own struggles as well.  If you are experiencing this in your career, I’d advise you to pay particular attention to tip #1 - Ask yourself hard questions.

Do this after you’ve run through the rest of the tips since the results from those will affect your ability to answer those questions.  For me, I found that maintaining boundaries, delegation and strict scheduling wouldn’t and couldn’t work in the work environment I was in.

Take a few minutes to read the full article.

CIO Magazine: Five Sensible Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance