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Results 1-20 of 72 for Jonathan Terrasi
OPINION

The Last Digitally-Free Nation on Earth

Computers and information systems, while certainly a love of mine now, were not my first. I have always been an avid student of history and an observer of geopolitics. My bookshelf can readily attest to this ...

When Betting on Linux Security, Look at the Big Picture

Recently, an article crossed my path that made me smile. There's not much in tech these days that does that, so I took a moment to savor this rare sensation ...

TECH BLOG

If Only Documentation Looked as Clean as the Code

This month marks a year since I took on my current and most technical role of my career. I didn't intend to keep it a secret. Really, it just didn't factor much into my writing ...

Linux? What Linux? It Just Works

As I occasionally do, lately, I was racking my brain for a fun Linux flight of fancy to take us on. Many pixels have been spilled on the subject of "Linux," or even just desktop Linux, with many more sure to follow. Even so, I strive for a unique perspective ...

Not All Linux Systems Are Created Equal, but They’re All Equally Linux

A friend of mine with decades of experience in tech made a wittily apt remark that I've been thinking about lately ...

HOW TO

Unix Basics It Pays To Know

When writing about digital technology, or any topic, is something you do, it takes time to accumulate credibility. Even if you put in the study time up front to know your stuff, building trust takes time ...

Cognitive Skills for Engineering Success

Lately I've been thinking a lot about thinking. There are a couple of reasons for this ...

INSIGHTS

Don’t Become a Fool in the IT Gold Rush

The best thing about tech-related disciplines, to me, is that they are probably easier than any others to learn online. In fact, that's exactly how I built up the computer science foundation that supports my work. Without an internet full of resources, I wouldn't be where I am today ...

Start Here When Things Go Wrong on Your Linux System

If you've run any operating system for any length of time, you will probably have encountered strange phenomena. When it comes to computers, strange is usually unwelcome. The longer you run any given OS installation without a reinstall, the more likely you are to see at least a few quirks. This can be anything from programs freezing, to your cooling fan suddenly revving up, to all manner of oddities...

OPINION

The Conflict in Ukraine Provides a High-Res Glimpse at 21st Century War

Geopolitics may be something a lot of us are getting a crash course in these days, given recent events, but I've been an amateur student of the subject for a long time. By "long time," I mean prior to studying computer science. I took a class in high school in which we simulated geopolitical dynamics with tabletop RPG-style games. From then on, I was hooked on analyzing the world through the lens of converging interests, power, and human nature...

HOW TO

Computers Use Processes, So Should You

Writing about technology over the years I've produced many guides on how to do cool stuff (by my definition, at least) with your computer. But in all that time, I failed to devote any attention to how to approach those guides, or any technical reference material, really. I assumed readers had the groundwork needed to make use of resources like mine...

OPINION

We’re Late Closing the Barn Door on Pegasus

People are freaking out about reports of NSO Group's Pegasus surveillance tool being used to spy on journalists, political dissidents, and other opponents of regimes worldwide. It's disheartening, and worth discussing. But why are we shocked? ...

REVIEW

Clear Linux* Delivers a Lucid if Limited Vision of Desktop Linux

As much as I extol the variety that Linux offers, I've done a bad job of enjoying it. Sadly, playing with new distributions usually gets bested by competing priorities. Not today ...

HOW TO

Bolt-On Security the Linux Way

As longtime readers know, while I try to stay knowledgeable on the many sub-disciplines of information technology, my passion is for information security. Since it's been a while since I've contributed any InfoSec know-how, I wanted to rectify that. I couldn't have timed this realization better because (as you'll see) the techniques on display are perfect for protecting your deluge of tax season documents...

A Linux Safari to Classify the Genus of This Penguin

Recently, I took an interest in poking at Gentoo a bit. In the eyes of many desktop Linux users, it's considered a rite of passage to install this historically significant distribution. I've scaled Mt. Arch, so Gentoo Peak is next in my Linux mountaineering ...

OPINION

Once the Big Tech Battler, Open Source Is Now Big Tech’s Battleground

A sagely guru by the name of Yogi Berra imparted some words of wisdom that I periodically revisit: "In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, while in practice there is." Though intended for comedic effect, it rings true (as all good comedy does) ...

The ‘Unix Way’ Has a Right Way That’s Almost a Lost Way

I've often extolled the philosophy of Unix, and as the title implies, I'm not about to stop. Before I learned computer science, I thought all computers were impenetrably arcane. But when I grasped Unix, through the imperfect medium of Linux, it made intuitive sense to me. Through all its evolution, at its heart Unix retains the charm that I have previously remarked on.

Where Will the Penguin March From Here?

One of Linux's greatest and most distinguishing traits is its adaptability. Compare how it started and how it's going, and you'll see what I mean. ...

HOW TO

3 Helpful Networking Projects for Your Raspberry Pi

In spite of being a beloved companion to computer hobbyists the world over, the Raspberry Pi doesn't get enough credit. In fact, single-board computers of all stripes haven't gotten their due -- I just happen to have a Raspberry Pi. It was upon casting a stray glance into the corner of my room where my Pi is, churning away on the previous task I assigned it that I pondered all the loftier projects I have in mind for it...

HOW TO

Get No-Fuss File-Level Crypto With Fscrypt

Not long ago, I made the case that for most users file-level encryption is adequately secure and much higher-performing than full-disk encryption. I received a lot less pushback than anticipated for expressing this heterodox view -- by which I mean I actually got none. Quite to the contrary, some readers sent messages and comments expressing curiosity and eagerness to try file-level encryption.

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