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Feature Article
Help Desk Management Software
Douglas Chick
Frequently I receive e-mail from overwhelmed IT people that complain they spend too much time putting out fires and have no time to perform their normal duties. Some of these are a result of being understaffed, but in most cases it is because
the computer users are managing your time.
6 Sounds Made by a Crashing Hard drive
 Question?:
My hard drive is experiencing some strange noises, and I am unsure if the drive
is failing. How can I determine if the noises are due to a failing hard drive? Click
Here to listen to 6 sound waves made by six different crashed hard drives.
HASH, is not just for smokin'
Internet Security
Joseph Ritchey
 A hash function H is a transformation that takes a variable-size input m and
returns a fixed-size string, which is called the hash value h (that is, h = H(m)).
Hash functions with just this property have a variety of general computational
uses, but when employed ...
Port Knocking
Joseph Ritchey
Back in the 20's there were Speak Easy's
setup all over the US. People would go their to drink and dance, but
mostly drink (due to prohibition). Lots of these clubs would have a
large burly looking guy guard the door.
Online Dating for Geeks
Douglas Chick
 Online
dating websites have done more for pair bonding than mitosis. (Mitosis is the
process of cellular division in which the daughter cells are genetically and
morphologically identical to themselves and to the mother cell.) But there needs
to be specialist sites for similar typed people.
Router Security Tips
Douglas Chick
 Reminded by the latest Cisco security alert, many network managers do not realize that their routers can be the jump point
to attack. Router operating systems are just as vulnerable to hacker mischief as network operating systems.
Security Boss
Douglas Chick
 Network security has become top priority for the tireless network administrator. Blocking the path of a potential virus or hacker can be the difference between working late for free, and going home. (Many computer people are paid by salary.)
Why do people make viruses?
Douglas Chick
It is interesting, with all the training and knowledge necessary in becoming an IT professional, the number one question I receive is; "Why do people make viruses?" This always makes me wonder if FBI profilers are ever asked; "Why does my computer have so many pop-up ads?"
Techno-Wizard or Geek
Douglas Chick
Computer people are unique in that they have their own peculiarities, unlike others that work in technological fields, like engineers, or physics, they're just crazy. Computer people have an odd passion for computer hardware and software. Being passionate towards software is particularly peculiar because there is nothing tangible about software. (That is above the quantum level.)
Off Shore Outsourcing, Riding a Wave of Question
Dell Crill
Recently, I read an article about a company called SeaCode Inc. that put a bad taste in my mouth. It made me realize that without much effort you can just about sell any idea or gimmick these days. The firms vision is to provide off shore outsourced software design and development services for US based fortune 1000 companies.
Guide
to networking certifications
 Here
is a comprehensive list the most common network certifications for network
professionals; including Cisco, Nortel, CompTIA, Enterasys, and ISC2. I withheld
Microsoft's network certifications for another article.
Top 10 Hacker Programs of 2005
Douglas Chick  Computer security "agents" must master the same tools used by the hackers they seek, and many of these programs are available
to download
for free. The man-in-the middle attack, (also known as the monkey-in-the middle)
is a useful method of scanning network data and extracting what is known as
interesting data, (passwords, e-mail, data files).
Advanced Google Searching (Google Hacking)
Douglas Chick
 Google is a powerful search
engine that hackers often use it to find passwords, and confidential or sensitive documents that companies do not realize are
even available to the public. Most computer people use Google, but do not know how to use all of its search parameters. The term
"google hacking" is a method used by unscrupulous people to not only uncovers sensitive data, but also to expose web server vulnerabilities. Here I list several Google search parameters and examples.
End-User Soup
Douglas Chick
 In
the past, I've been pretty hard on end-users in some of my articles and I'm not
sure all of them deserve to be bunched in together. This is why in my infinite
wisdom I have taken it upon myself to create end-user categories. Starting with
some of the smarter ones and working our way down to...well, lets just say those
that are little computer challenged.
Interview: Chris Pirillo
Tech TV, Lockergnome.com
 Chris
Pirillo, a former TechTV personality and creator of LockerGnome.com took the
time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us.
Computer Terms and Comprehension
Douglas Chick
The most difficult part of any computer support position is the misusage of computer
terms as used by the computer professional and computer user. Listed here are
computer terms and their corresponding meanings.
Requiem
for a Crashed Hard Drive
Douglas Chick
 There is no drug or single event in the world
that can make a computer person focus more clearly than when a
server crashes. The mere act of a crashing hard drive, database or
server component can temporarily raise one’s IQ as much as 50
points.
Top 10 things to know about network administration
Tom Lancaster
 If you're just getting started in the networking field, you've
got a lot to learn, and with the rate of changes in networking
technology, you can expect to always have a lot to learn, but here
are ten essential topics that you should concentrate on (and if you
are not just getting started, here are some things to review)
Cisco Router Tips
Top 10 'show' Commands
Tom Lancaster
 One of the most important abilities a network administrator can have is the
know-how to get information out of his network devices so he can find out
what's going on with the network. In most networks, the staple of
information gathering has been the "show" commands. Here are my top ten commands to know and love:
Top Network Administrator Tools
 Here
are some of the top networking tools for sniffing out, scanning, and finding
hidden processes, as well as rootkits for 2005 as listed by
TheNetworkAdministrator.com.
Getting What You Want From Your Boss
Douglas Chick
 Many
computer people have a difficult time getting what they want from their boss
because they simply do not know how to ask. Here is an article that will make it
a little easier for you to get what you want from your boss.
What To Do With Computer Part Magazines
Douglas Chick
 Computer part magazines are small sales magazines that advertise the latest computer supplies. These magazines are only sent exclusively to everyone! If you've ever even glanced in the general direction of a
computer--five magazines are immediately launched to your mailing address. This techno litter can propagate faster than rabbits.
Steel Bolt Hacking, Ranks #7 Top Ten Best
Sellers List --Douglas
Chick
 I am proud to report that
my book, Steel
Bolt Hacking, was rank #7 on Amazon.com Best Sellers List on
September 16th, 2004. It has since dropped out of the top ten but...
Interview
Interview with Rob Malda
Creator of Slashdot
 Most
computer people already know what Slashdot.org is, but many do not know the man
behind it. Rob Malda is the man that founded Slashdot.org and is still around
today to help maintain it. Slashdot was founded in 1997 and like the name
implies, Slashdot started as a Linux form and has evolved into one of the
largest tech news sites on the Internet. Rob took some time from his still busy
schedule to answer a few questions for TheNetworkAdministrator.com
Should I become an
astronaut, a firefighter, or a system administrator?
Are you at a career crossroads? Are you asking "Should I become an
astronaut, a firefighter, or a system administrator?" Here is a handy
comparison chart that may help you make your decision.
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