Ubuntu Linux - Coming Strong!

The New Linux-based Ubuntu operating system, 11.04 ‘Natty Narwhal’ has been released!

I've been using Ubuntu Linux in server environments and as a desktop OS for years. It is rock solid stable and easy to use, and of course, built on the Linux foundation.

This really is a great solution for Small and Medium businesses looking to increase IT productivity while reducing IT cost. It's easy to learn. I converted my wife's laptop to Ubuntu and she didn't even miss a beat!

I'm really excited for and fully support Canonical's Ubuntu Linux.

Ubuntu Natty released, Unity for desktops and netbooks

Ubuntu's marketing kick: Is Canonical the next Apple?
Music, Cloud services, apps and user interfaces take Linux to the next level

Sony Playstation Network Hacked - Danger to Children?

The personal information of more than 70 million users of the PlayStation 3 could have had their personal details stolen by a hacker!

If you or your children have accounts in the Playstation Network, be forewarned!

Use basic common sense. Do not follow links in emails that ask for personal information. Be cautious of phone solicitations, banking and credit card activity.

"We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network," Sony said in a blog post Tuesday.

Sony now advises users to "remain vigilant" and be on the lookout for e-mail, telephone and postal scams. Hackers will sometimes use personal data they have stolen to target users with phishing attacks or try to trick them into handing over further data.

"Sony will not contact you in any way, including by email, asking for your credit card number, social security number or other personally identifiable information," the company said. "If you are asked for this information, you can be confident Sony is not the entity asking."

Sony: PlayStation Network personal user data stolen
Credit card data for PlayStation Network and Qriocity users may have been compromised, Sony says

Trouble for Sony after PlayStation security lapse

Massive Amazon Server Outage

(Update 5, just before noon here: "8:54 AM PDT We'd like to provide additional color on what were working on right now (please note that we always know more and understand issues better after we fully recover and dive deep into the post mortem). A networking event early this morning triggered a large amount of re-mirroring of EBS volumes in US-EAST-1. This re-mirroring created a shortage of capacity in one of the US-EAST-1 Availability Zones, which impacted new EBS volume creation as well as the pace with which we could re-mirror and recover affected EBS volumes. Additionally, one of our internal control planes for EBS has become inundated such that it's difficult to create new EBS volumes and EBS backed instances. We are working as quickly as possible to add capacity to that one Availability Zone to speed up the re-mirroring, and working to restore the control plane issue. We're starting to see progress on these efforts, but are not there yet. We will continue to provide updates when we have them.")

Updated: Amazon says it's getting a handle on EC2 outage

Status Details: Amazon Web Services » Service Health Dashboard

More:
Amazon Server Outage Blanks Popular Websites

The Service Desk: Common CSI Starting Point

The Service Desk (a.k.a. the Help Desk)

I've been thinking a lot lately on the role of the IT Service Desk in business processes. In many of the processes I've been analyzing lately, the Service Desk is a critical function of a healthy IT Service and Business process. In other words, a great place to start a Continuous Service Improvement process to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and increase value to the business.

One recent example I've encountered were two independently operating and geographically distant business units that were constantly updating and duplicating efforts to keep track of employee responsibilities and contact information for their roles. A centralized IT Service Desk for the corporation that would be the single point of contact for both business units for user (ie. employee) contact management (Request Fulfillment and Access Management) would reduce efforts and increase efficiency.

It doesn't have to be big. One IT person can be the Service Desk function. What is important is to actually have a well defined and operating Service Desk function within well defined and operating Incident Management, Request Fulfillment, and Access Management processes. The Service Desk function doesn't need to make the changes in each independent system, but acts as the conduit and coordinator between different functions to achieve the users (customers) objectives.

This could be a substantial quick win for a small to medium business (SMB)!

ITIL V3 Foundations Certified!

I completed my IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) foundations certification today!

ITIL is a framework, a set of concepts, processes, activities, and good practices, for managing IT Services (ITSM) through the Service Lifecycle.

ITIL is not about providing technology, but about organizing and managing people, technology, processes, and functions to provide valuable services to the customer or business.

Learn more: ITIL is the most widely accepted approach to IT service management in the world. ITIL provides a cohesive set of best practice, drawn from the public and private sectors internationally.

Cybermick IT Services

Iron Dome worked in live situation

I remember learning about Fuzzy Logic as applied to the patriot missile system in programming class (way too many years ago!). Loved the programming and logic of Fuzzy Logic. Any way, this is a major success of technology today, certainly if it can save lives.

Iron Dome successfully intercepts Gaza rocket for first time
Missile defense system makes world history by intercepting a short-range Grad rocket fired at Ashkelon; IDF launches strike on targets in Gaza following attack on school bus earlier in the day.

Ah, Back in the blogo-sphere!

Hello everyone.

I've been out of the blogging business proper for a while working on some other projects. But I'm back.

The blog is a great way to keep customers, friends, and colleagues apprised of my doings, and I've missed writing both my faith and technology blogs.

What you'll see on this blog:
- Anything interesting to me relating to technology
- Current technology projects
- Future technology projects
- Dreaming about technology projects
- etc. . .

No specific commitment for posting frequency, but I anticipate at least 2 new posts a month. I will facebook and twitter when I make a new post.

Hope it's useful for you.
Safe CyberSurfing!
Mick

20 Years of Linux!

Cybermick Web and IT Services!

Cybermick Web and IT Services! Providing Cyber Solutions since 1998!
Information Technology Consulting.

Est. 1998
Mick Dobra

Peoria, IL
309-231-4542

• Systems Design, Installation, and Support Services
• Network Infrastructure and Secure VPNs (virtual private networks). . .
• Redundant Backups and Disaster Recovery Plans. . .
• Security Systems, Policies, and Firewalls. . .
• And more. . .

Specializing in Ubuntu Linux open source solutions, making high end IT solutions affordable for small businesses!

Network Administrator
Currently Serving as the Network Administrator for Vonachen Services Inc., Peoria, Illinois

Responsibilities:
Administer all aspects of corporate IT, from designing, planning, testing, and implementing IT systems to integrate with business processes and objectives to PC support and training.
www.VonachenServices.com


Systems Administrator
Served as a Systems Administrator for MTCO Communications, Metamora, Illinois

Responsibilities:
Lead a team responsible for 24/7 up-time of all internet services for over 20,000 customers.
www.mtco.com


U.S. Navy
Served as an Optical Systems Technician (Opticalman, now Electronics Tech) in the U.S. Navy.
Repaired, maintained, and supported optical electronic equipment.
Navy.mil


Chaplain
Ordained Chaplain. A member of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries since 2006 for the purpose of family ministry.
www.ChaplainMick.com


Servant Leader
Member of Richwoods Christian Church, a Small Group leader and coach, and served on the Greater Peoria Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership board (among others).
www.Richwoods.org
www.PeoriaFCA.org
www.PeoriaKungFu.com

Specialties and Certifications

• 2011: ITIL V3 Foundations Certified!
• 2011: Completed ITIL V3 Foundations Course
• 2004: Microsoft Certified Professional, Windows 2000 Server and Professional
  Microsoft Windows 2000 Networking
  Microsoft Windows 2000