February 3, 2005
Book News
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-AppleScript: The Missing Manual
-Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer’s Notebook
-Internet Annoyances
-Google Hacking for Penetration Testers
-Home Networking Annoyances
-Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition
-Buffer Overflow Attacks
-Configuring NetScreen Firewalls
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Upcoming Events
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-Hadley Stern (“iPod & iTunes Hacks”), Boston Macintosh User Group,
Boston, MA–February 9
-Tim O’Reilly, EclipseCon, Burlingame, CA–February 28-March 3
-O’Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV–March 9
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Conference News
—————————————————————-
-OSCON Call For Proposals Now Open
-Register for the 2005 O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference,
San Diego, CA–March 14-17
-Registration Is Open for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference,
Santa Clara, CA–April 18-21
—————————————————————-
News
—————————————————————-
-Hacking Google
-Get Your Hands Dirty!
-“Make” subscriptions now available
-Don’t Miss O’Reilly at LinuxWorld, Boston, MA–February 15-17
-Programming eBay Web Services with PHP 5 and Services_Ebay
-Freevo: Freedom For Your TV
-Michael Stutz On Using Linux For Everyday Activities
-Top Ten AppleScript Tips
-Output Like a Pro with iPhoto 5
-Fix Hot Spot Annoyances
-Working with Roaming User Profiles
-IRC Text to Speech with Java
-Internals of Java Class Loading
-Build Your Own PVR (for Free) with HackTV
-Featured Photographer–Ofer Halevi: The Art of Juxtaposition
-Learning Lab: Save 40% on Web Programming Certificate Courses
-A-Z Web Site Indexes Explained
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Book News
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Did you know you can request a free book to review for your
group? Ask your group leader for more information.
For book review writing tips and suggestions, go to:
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Don’t forget, you can receive 20% off any O’Reilly, No Starch,
Paraglyph, Pragmatic Bookshelf, SitePoint, or Syngress book you
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Just use code DSUG when ordering online or by phone 800-998-9938.
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applies to U.S. delivery addresses in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For more details, go to:
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—————————————————————-
New Releases
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***AppleScript: The Missing Manual
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596008503
Macintosh’s ultimate scripting tool, AppleScript, has one major
shortcoming: it comes without a manual. This Missing Manual fills the
void. While its hands-on approach, with dozens of scripting examples,
certainly keeps novices from feeling intimidated, this book is also suited
for professionals from system administrators to musicians, ensuring that
anyone can learn how to control Mac applications in timesaving and
innovative ways.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/applescripttmm/index.html
Chapter 5, “Controlling Files,” is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/applescripttmm/chapter/index.html
***Creating Photomontages with Photoshop: A Designer’s Notebook
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596008589
This collection of groundbreaking digital creations by well-known French
artists is a visual smorgasbord for digital imaging professionals, graphic
artists, photographers, and anyone involved in the creation of digital
images and animations. But it’s more than a full-color feast for the eyes:
reflecting the very best of French graphic design, it guides Photoshop
users through all aspects of the photomontage creation process, from
initial concept through step-by-step execution.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/photoshopadn/
***Internet Annoyances
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596007353
Recognizing the universal nature of the Net, “Internet Annoyances” strives
to make using the internet as stress-free as possible for everyone. This
insightful guide effectively addresses and presents solutions for the many
glitches that still complicate the internet experience. You’ll learn how
to thwart would-be hackers, ensure greater security while surfing,
eliminate pop-up ads, maximize online services, conduct effective
searches, and much more.
Chapter 8, “Searching Annoyances,” is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/internetannoy/chapter/index.html
***Google Hacking for Penetration Testers
Publisher: Syngress
ISBN: 1931836361
“Google Hacking for Penetration Testers” explores the explosive growth of
a technique known as “Google Hacking.” This simple tool can be bent by
hackers and those with malicious intent to find hidden information, break
into sites, and access supposedly secure information. Borrowing the
techniques pioneered by malicious “Google hackers,” this book aims to show
security practitioners how to properly protect clients from this often
overlooked and dangerous form of information leakage.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1931836361/index.html
***Home Networking Annoyances
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596008082
Need a cure for the headaches associated with running a home network? This
book tackles all the common annoyances your network dishes up, whether
it’s wired or wireless, Mac or PC. With a friendly, off-the-cuff approach,
this book guides you safely through common home networking glitches,
including file sharing, printing, security, and more. Take a stand against
annoyances now: this book is your ticket to serenity.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/homenetannoy/
Chapter 4, “File-Sharing Annoyances,” is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/homenetannoy/chapter/index.html
***Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition
Publisher: O’Reilly
ISBN: 0596006705
“Linux Server Security, 2nd Edition” expertly conveys to administrators
and developers the tricks of the trade that can help them avoid serious
security breaches. The book covers both background theory and practical,
step-by-step instructions for protecting a server that runs Linux. Geared
toward Linux users with little security expertise, the author explains
security concepts and techniques in clear language, beginning with the
fundamentals. Stay one step ahead of potential adversaries.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxss2/
Chapter 12, “System Log Management and Monitoring,” is available online:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/linuxss2/chapter/index.html
***Buffer Overflow Attacks
Publisher: Syngress
ISBN: 1932266674
The SANS Institute maintains a list of the “Top 10 Software
Vulnerabilities.” Currently, over half of these vulnerabilities are
exploitable by buffer overflow attacks, which allow an attacker to run
arbitrary code on a victim’s machine. This is the first book specifically
aimed at detecting, exploiting, and preventing the most common and
dangerous attacks. It provides specific, real code examples on exploiting
buffer overflow attacks from a hacker’s perspective, and on defending
against these attacks for the software developer.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1932266674/
***Configuring NetScreen Firewalls
Publisher: Syngress
ISBN: 1932266399
“Configuring NetScreen Firewalls” delivers an in-depth look at the
NetScreen firewall product line. It covers all of the aspects of the
NetScreen product line from the SOHO devices to the Enterprise NetScreen
firewalls. Advanced troubleshooting techniques and the NetScreen Security
Manager are also covered.
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/1932266399/index.html
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Upcoming Events
================================================
***For more events, please see:
http://events.oreilly.com/
***Hadley Stern (“iPod & iTunes Hacks”), Boston Macintosh User Group,
Boston, MA–February 9
Come join this O’Reilly author to find out all the cool things that you
can do with your iPod!
Boston Macintosh User Group
MIT Building E51
Room 315
Cambridge, MA
http://www.bmac.org/meetings.html
***Tim O’Reilly, EclipseCon, Burlingame, CA–February 28-March 3
Tim is a keynote speaker at this event.
http://www.eclipsecon.org/2005/index.htm
***O’Reilly at PhotoShop World, Las Vegas, NV–March 9
Come by and say hi and check out our latest Digital Media books at our
booth (#220).
Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, NV
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Conference News
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***OSCON Call For Proposals Now Open
Circle August 1-5 on your calendar and join us at the O’Reilly Open Source
Convention in beautiful Portland, Oregon. OSCON 2005 will be at the Oregon
Convention Center, where we’ll have tutorials, sessions, parties, BOFs,
and a huge exhibit hall.
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/os2005/
The call for participation is open, and you’re invited to submit a
proposal to lead tutorials and sessions. Visit the submissions page for
all the details on tracks and proposal guidelines. Proposals are due no
later than February 13, 2005.
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/os2005/create/e_sess
***2005 O’Reilly Emerging Technology Conference,
San Diego, CA–March 14-17
This year’s conference theme is “Remix,” which infuses ETech’s
roll-up-your-sleeves tutorials, to-the-point plenary presentations, and
real world focused breakout sessions. Come to ETech and discover how
applications and hardware are being deconstructed and recombined in
unexpected ways. Learn how users and customers are influencing new
interfaces, devices, business models, and services. For all the scoop on
tutorials, featured speakers, and conference events, check out:
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/etech/
Hurry up before it sells out!
User Group members use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off
the registration price.
To register for the conference, go to:
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/et2005/create/ord_et05
***Register for the 2005 MySQL Users Conference,
Santa Clara, CA–April 18-21
The MySQL Users Conference, co-presented by O’Reilly Media and MySQL AB,
brings together experts, users, and industry leaders with unique MySQL
insights, offering attendees a detailed look into new features in MySQL
5.0, sessions and workshops designed to teach best practices, and exposure
to new open source technologies.
For more information, go to:
http://www.mysqluc.com/
User Group members who register before Febuary 28, 2005 get a double
discount. Use code DSUG when you register, and receive 20% off the
early registration price.
To register for the conference, go to:
http://conferences.oreillynet.com/cs/mysqluc2005/create/ord_mysql05
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News From O’Reilly & Beyond
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General News
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***Hacking Google
With access to more than three million documents in over 30 languages,
Google is a researcher’s dream. But like any invaluable tool, knowing the
insider tricks of the trade is a must to save time and needless effort.
Tara Calishain and Rael Dornfest, authors of “Google Hacks, 2nd Edition,”
have set out to educate the masses to the ins and outs of Google. In
today’s excerpt, they offer the inside scoop on scattersearching,
cartography, Google on the go, Gmail-lite, and AdSense. With over 150
million Google searches conducted every day, why be just a number?
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/network/excerpt/ggl_hcks/index.html
***Get Your Hands Dirty!
Hackers of all stripes refuse to just take what they’re given. They’re
driven to remake it, and getting there is more than half the fun. Here at
O’Reilly, we’ve got the information you need to hack, remix, and master
technology at home and at work. In this letter for our Winter 2005
Catalog, Tim O’Reilly talks about how we’re celebrating the hacker
impulse.
http://tim.oreilly.com/articles/dirtyhands_0105.html
You’ll find all of Tim’s collected writings and speeches at:
http://tim.oreilly.com/
***”Make” subscriptions now available
The annual subscription price for four issues is $34.95. When you
subscribe with this link, you’ll get a free issue–the first one plus four
more for $34.95. So subscribe for yourself or friends with this great
offer for charter subscribers: five volumes for the cost of four.
Subscribe at:
https://www.pubservice.com/MK/Subnew.aspx?PC=MK&PK=M5ZUGLA
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Open Source
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***Don’t Miss O’Reilly at LinuxWorld, Boston, MA–Feb 15-17
Stop by our booth (#509) to check out our latest Linux and open source
titles and listen to our authors including Jonathan Corbet (“Linux Device
Drivers, 3rd Ed.”), Kyle D. Dent (“Postfix: The Definitive Guide”), Jay
Beale (“Snort 2.1 Intrusion Detection, 2nd Ed.”), Sam Hiser and Tom
Adelstein (“Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop”), and Adam Trachtenberg (“PHP
Cookbook”). We will have daily demonstrations on our new magazine “Make”
and SafariU (http://academic.oreilly.com/safariu-more.csp).
Here is our schedule of events:
Click to access linuxworld_speaker_sched.pdf
***Programming eBay Web Services with PHP 5 and Services_Ebay
PHP 5 added several new features to the language, yet laundry lists and
high-level overviews don’t really show what they are or why you might use
them. Fortunately, Adam Trachtenberg writes for us. Here’s how to use the
new features of PHP 5 for writing web services clients.
http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/php/2005/01/27/ebay_webservices.html
***Freevo: Freedom For Your TV
PVRs may be the next big thing in home entertainment, but relying on a
closed box leaves you few options for customization. The Freevo project is
building a platform for developing television-aware applications, whether
recording, timeshifting, or general-purpose mayhem. Howard Wen explains
the Freevo project and interviews its developers.
http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2005/01/27/freevo.html
***Michael Stutz On Using Linux For Everyday Activities
Michael Stutz, author of “The Linux Cookbook, 2nd Edition” (No Starch)
discusses what inspired him to write this book, when he first started
using Linux, and other world views in this LinuxWorld interview.
http://www.linuxworld.com/story/47810.htm?DE=1
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Mac
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***Top Ten AppleScript Tips
AppleScript lets you control Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, FileMaker
Pro, and hundreds of other Mac programs with just a few lines of code. But
if you think of AppleScript as just a nerdy workflow-automation tool,
you’re missing out on a lot of power. Truth is, AppleScript has lots of
hidden tricks and timesavers built in–and they all come for free with
your Mac. Adam Goldstein, author of “AppleScript: The Missing Manual,” has
hand selected ten of the most useful tips for making AppleScript work for
you.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/01/applscrpt_mm.html
***Output Like a Pro with iPhoto 5
Earlier, Derrick Story discussed how iPhoto 5’s RAW capability lets you
input like a pro. But some of its new output features are quite
sophisticated. Here Derrick takes a look at how to create sophisticated
slideshows and QuickTime downloads using only iPhoto 5.
http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2005/02/01/iphoto.html
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Windows/.NET
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***Fix Hot Spot Annoyances
Using a Wi-Fi hot spot is a great way to stay connected when you’re away
from home or the office. But beware: you may be vulnerable to snoopers;
you may be unable to send email; and your connection may flake out.
Preston Gralla, author of “Internet Annoyances,” fixes all your hot spot
woes.
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/01/hot_spot.html
***Working with Roaming User Profiles
If you have a highly mobile local user base and are constantly fielding
concerns about personalized settings and desktop customizations that don’t
seem to travel with your users, then roaming user profiles may make your
life a lot easier. In this article, Jonathan Hassell, author of “Learning
Windows Server 2003,” explains how roaming user profiles can save you time
and energy.
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/pub/a/windows/2005/02/01/rmng_usr.html
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Java
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***IRC Text to Speech with Java
Paul Mutton creates a multi-platform IRC bot that uses the FreeTTS Java
speech synthesizer library to convert IRC messages into audible speech.
Why would you want to use an IRC text-to-speech system? By reading out
messages as they arrive, you can keep working, diverting your attention to
IRC only when necessary. Paul is the author of “IRC Hacks.”
http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2004/09/08/IRCinJava.html
***Internals of Java Class Loading
When are two classes not the same? When they’re loaded by different class
loaders. This is just one of many curious side effects of Java’s
class-loading system. Binildas Christudas shows how different class
loaders relate to one another and how (and why) to build your own custom
class loader.
http://www.onjava.com/pub/a/onjava/2005/01/26/classloading.html
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Digital Media
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***Build Your Own PVR (for Free) with HackTV
HackTV is a developer app for Mac OS X that you can download for free. It
enables you to watch TV (or any video source) on your Mac. Better yet, it
enables you to download that content to your hard drive. Erica Sadun shows
you the ins and outs of HackTV.
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/01/26/hacktv.html
***Featured Photographer–Ofer Halevi: The Art of Juxtaposition
Whether it’s a man standing beside a mannequin in Amsterdam, or a poster
of Rabin staring up at a passerby in Israel, Ofer Halevi has an eye for
recording the juxtaposition of people and their inanimate environment. In
this portfolio you can experience Ofer’s passion for detail, interaction,
and patterns.
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2005/01/12/featured.html
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Web
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***Learning Lab: Save 40% on Web Programming Certificate Courses
This six-course series from the O’Reilly Learning Lab teaches you the
skills needed for web programming, web administration, and website
development. You’ll learn HTML, JavaScript, XML, SQL, Perl, and Unix. Upon
completion of the series, students receive a Certificate of Professional
Development from the University of Illinois Office of Continuing
Education. Sign up by February 22nd, and save 40% on all Web Programming
Certificate courses.
http://www.oreilly.com/redirector.csp?link=UAWeb&type=news
***A-Z Web Site Indexes Explained
A-Z Indexes are a far more accurate than search engines for searching the
content of a web site or intranet. For the value they can bring to a site,
A-Z indexes are worth the additional cost, but, if you decide to add an
index to your site, it’s important to find the right person to do the
job.
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/a-z-indexes
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From Your Peers
===============================================
Don’t forget to check out the O’Reilly UG wiki to see what user groups
across the globe are up to:
http://wiki.oreillynet.com/usergroups/index.cgi
Until next time–
Marsee