NLWebDevs GIT Presentation

[Me Featuring
"There is no place like 127.0.0.1" shirt
and Binary Watch]

As a new Computer Science Society Executive and a member of NLWebDevs, I would like to announce the GIT tutorial today by MUN CS Society's President Tim Oram at Memorial University (Engineering building EN-2022) at 5PM.  This event is open to the public, just come over at 6:30pm :) For more info:

Websites:
NLWebDevs
github > NLWebDevs
NATI > Events > NLWebDev GIT Tutorial

GIT (in case you don't know what it is, because I think you should)

MUN CS Society > Events (NLWebDevs GIT Tutorial)

Twitter:
@NLWebDevs
@muncssociety
@Nati_NL
#GIT

Facebook:
NLWebDevs
MUN CS Society

This is me, take it or leave it NL.

BSides St. John's 2012 Conference

[By  YellowJKT]

I had a great time at the 2012 Security BSides St. John's Conference "Steering you through the Security Fog".  This year (According to Eventbrite) the conference was sold out.  There was ~100 attendees according to my sources and a beginning-head-count-tweet suggests I was 1 of 5 girls (many of them pictured to your right haha).  I highly recommend anyone who is a security enthusiast to keep your eyes open early to sign up for next time.

Twitter:
#BSidesStJohns
@BSIdesStJohns
@SecurityBSides

Planners:
Norbert Griffin / @norbert_griffin
Jamie Goodyear / @icbts

Speakers:
I wasn't sure what to expect but the speakers were fantastic.  No problem to tell they are use to public speaking.  My favorite talks being among:

Mark Nunnikhoven / @marknca - The Basics & Other Things That We're Probably Doing Wrong
Karim Nathoo / @karamnathoo - Command and Control and Data Exfiltration
Kellman Meghu / @kellman - How NOT To Do Security: Lessons Learned From the Galactic Empire

Blogs Mentioning BSides:
Mark Nunnikhoven - markn.ca > A guide to deploying iPads, iPhones, and iPods on your network
Kellman Meghu - kill-hup > How Not To Do Security
Jamie Goodyear - I Code By The Sea > BSides Label Cloud
Jason Gedge - gedge.ca > Talks BSides St. John's, 2012
Jonathan Wall - Discuss Security in St. John's
Norbert Griffin - Security Fog
Matthew Middleton - BSides Background

Related Links:

Security BSides Website > BSides St. John's 2012
Savoir Presenting at BSides
Linkedn Event List

Event Photos:
By @darryl_macleod - Stefano Tiranardi Talks, Kellman Meghu Talks, Jamie Goodyear Talks, Russ Doucet Talks, Screech In
By @YellowJKT - 1, Karim Nathoo Talks, Kellman Meghu Talks again (and again...apparently a real photographers dream that night haha), Me and Frank discuss college days
By @icbts - Bsides St. John's Pics Blog


Great company, atmosphere, food, drinks and prizes.  Next year I'll be sure to sign up early.

This is me, take it or leave it NL.

Jot Notes - Joining the Apache Kalumet Incubator

[Karaf and Kalumet mix]

Since Kalumet has just been accepted into the Apache Incubator, I get an inside view of a new project from the beginnings.  Winter is approaching, so I've done up a quasi-Christmas list of things to know when joining a new open source Apache project.  The list is still fairly limited as I was hoping to get something out of a planned programming session with a Karaf friend.  But turns out mixing Karaf with Kalumet (and apparently a bit of LMFAO according to the pic) can be a little dangerous (expecially if you are from certain countries as you'll find out if you read below).  There will probably be more in depth topics later.  If you're already confused, reading my previous post may clear that up.  If you intend to keep reading you should join in on the fun we had by listening to the YouTube video at the bottom of this post.

• JIRA - Like many thousands of other software projects, Apache uses JIRA, a software tool for tracking issues and project management.  JIRA can connect bugs directly to subversion source code with native CVS (Concurrent Versions System) integration.  Find more about JIRA here (or Godzilla for short?)
• Mailing Lists - This JIRA issue was made to manage the creation of the following mailing lists for Kalumet:
• User - General questions about Kalumet usage, use cases, etc.  Where users may ask questions.
• Dev - Discussion about Kalumet development. This mailing list is used by all Kalumet committers. It's where the discussions, proposal, road-map, and votes stand.
• Private - For Kalumet's PMCs.
• Commits - Notification for all Kalumet's SVN commits.
• Incubator Repository - This is where the Incubator projects (like Kalumet) live.  The ASF uses SVN and GIT (GNU Integrated Tools) as their distributed revision control system.
• Quarterly board report - An automated system emails board meeting dates/info to the development mailing list each month in advance, to allow for review time.  The report for Kalumet forms part of the Incubator PMC report.  This is because Kalumet is a podling (referring to the codebase and community while being 'incubated').  The reports are appended to the Incubator Wiki page each month.  Last month's quarterly board report is located under http://wiki.apache.org/incubator/October2011.  Mentors should review reports for their project(s) and sign off on them on the Incubator wiki page. Signing off on a report shows that Mentors are following the project.  Projects that are not signed may raise alarms for the Incubator PMC.
• New Committer - Since I've been voted in, my name on the Apache committers index moved from "Unlisted CLA" to "SVN-Committer" with my username, full name, and project (Incubator).  Then the PMC Chair filled out a ASF new request forum (or any ASF member if the chair was unavailable) on my behalf.  Different types of elections are held on either the public mailing list or private mailing list.  Once my request was received, a community member with root access created my account, adding permissions like relevant source code modules (which enables me to commit).  Since this is volunteer work, this sometimes takes time.  After accounts are created, they are managed by the Apache infrastructure team.  root@apache then sent me an email with various information and mentions that the community mailing list among others are available if I am interested.
• LDAP Managed Services - The root email mentioned above sends committers the location and login information of these services:
  • Shell (people.apache.org) - Committers can SSH to this location with their Apache username and password like this: ssh userName@people.apache.org 
  • SVN (svn.apache.org) - SVN stands for Subversion
  LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is represented through LDIF (LDAP Data Integerchange Format) files.  You can use LDIFDE (a command line tool) to import/export information in Active Directory.  Apache uses something called Apache Directory though I'm more familar with the ADAM (Active Directory Application Mode) which is now renamed AD LDS (Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services).  If you look under http://monitoring.apache.org/status, you'll see the below under LDAPS
  
  • cn=ldapmonitor,ou=users,ou=services,dc=apache,dc=org
  This would be written in the Schema (contained in a LDIF file) as a DN (distinguished name) which is a unique identifier for the directory.  DC stands for the domain component so basically you we split up the domain apache.org into two components (dc=apache, dc=org).  OU stands for the organizational unit, or user group.  As you can tell from the above DN, you can be part of more then one OU.  CN stands for the common name, which refers to the individual object which you can query, so in this case there is a ldapmonitor object whose attributes would be defined in the schema.  Active Directory has a directory like structure (who would have guessed?) so when looking in the AD LDS or ADAM for example, the ldapmonitor CN/object could be looked at like a folder and the attributes defined in the schema could be looked at like the files inside.
• Email - Committers get a @apache.org email address.  According to the root email I received, mail servers are updated every hour which enables new members to receive emails from their Apache email address.  I cannot receive email directly from the server, at least one forwarding email address has to be set up.  This can be changed by logging into https://id.apache.org/details/userName.  Committers can link apache.org emails to their gmail account by following these steps.
• Names - One thing I've noticed is a very small number of Apache members do not have real names attached to their profile. A PMC member informed me that in some countries it is illegal to partake in this type of activity so they leave their name out for privacy/legal purposes. As you would imagine, those people working in open source that are in hiding do not talk about it often online, but I've scowered the internet and posted a few related articles which I've linked below:
• Guardian.uk.co - When using open source makes you an enemy of the state. From the link it says "the US copyright lobby has long argued against open source software - now Indonesia's in the firing line for encouraging the idea in government departments".
• Janimo from Cluj Napoca, Romania - Public tender of about 3mil EUR explicitly disqualifies 'GPL and similar' software.  A blog post about the situation from Romania.
• Marek Mahut from OpenSource.com - Open Source Software is Illigal?  This talks about the Slovak Republic and the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• OSOR.EU - RO Interoperability Requirements Force Ministry to Block Open Source.  Talks about the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.  There are lots of other romanian links about it here.
• SOIT - New Copyright Law Later this Year.  And here is google translate.
• Kalumet is pretty DOAP (Description of a Project) - The DOAP file is a XML file containing a RDF Schema defining the project.

This is me, take it or leave it NL.

"Open Source" to Drugs and Alcohol

[Chief B-Day Bill and I before
the tipi ceremonies]

First the K's and C's...

The Drug - Kalumet

If you translate the words on the polish Wikipedia page, you will see that a kalumet is what many people refer to as a peace pipe.  The English page translates this word to calumet with a C.  Traditionally, smoking this ceremonial pipe sealed a covenant or treaty.  A common material for calumet pipe bowls is red pipestone (catlinite).  If you search the internet you may even find a pipe stem made by an Apache (Native American group).

[Making Engineering version
of "Rocket Fuel"]

The Alcohol - Karaf

If you translate the words on the dutch Wikipedia page, you will see that a karaf changes to the word Carafe with a C (and an e), which is a decorative bottle.  If you then hit the English link on the left hand side of the page the word changes to decanter, a container used for the decantation of liquid such as wine.  A decanter is used to keep the sediment from a liquid such as wine in the bottom of the the container instead of in your drink.  Unlike the "Rocket Fuel" container pictured to the left, there were many things floating in those drinks.  I'm not sure if there is any real distinction between a carafe and a decanter, but whenever I see something in Stokes labeled with either, they look the same to me.

Before you start thinking I have an interesting life filled with Kalumet's and Karaf's, I'll tell you what this post is really about now.

I signed up for Nabble and gave a PMC (Project Management Committee) from the ASF (Apache Software Foundation) my non-binding +1 vote for the acceptance of Kamulet to join the Apache Incubator.  And no, Apache isn't a native at this point, it consists of many open source projects like Kalumet, which is no longer a physical pipe...kept in a incubator?  Voting lead me to a senior architect of Talend and before I knew it, I was listed as a Initial Committer for the Apache Incubator project, Kalumet.  If this post is starting to sound Greek (Polish or Dutch) to you, see how the ASF works.  Shortly after I faxed along the ICLA (Individual Contributor License Agreement), my name showed up on the ASF Committers Index.  A day or so later Apache's secretary emailed me to let me know they acknowledged the receipt of my ICLA, which was filed in the ASF records.
For those of you who have wondered what the beginning of an open source project looks like, these are some baby steps I've taken:

• Installed a JDK (Standard Edition Java Development Kit) the SE (Standard Edition).  To read more on what a JDK is, see Wikipedia's JDK page.
• Installed Maven - According to their site, "Apache Maven is a software project management and comprehension tool".  More information is listed on their what is Maven page.
• Setup JAVA_HOME, MVN_HOME, and PATH environment variables.  For those of you who do not know, MVN stands for Maven.
• Installed TortoiseSVN - A Windows Apache Subversion client that integrates itself into windows explorer and is used for source control.  You can "checkout" files in a project (such as an Apache project) into a windows folder using this tool.  In my case, the first project I checked out was Karaf, just to see what an Apache project would look like. According to Apache's site Karaf "is a small OSGi based runtime which provides a lightweight container onto which various components and applications can be deployed"
• Installed Pidgeon - I was invited to join the Kalumet community channel (catchy).  So I installed this universal chat client that (more importantly) supports the IRC chat network.  It is located on a server called irc.codehaus.org on the #Kalumet channel.

Other then that I am catching up on buzz words that are mentioned around this post like many of you are probably doing right now after reading this post.

I'd like to thank a Karaf PMC member for bringing this opportunity to me :)

---

[Waiting at MUN for the movie to
start. Image by Jamie Goodyear]

In other Geek news, if you haven't heard of PHD Comics (where PHD stands for Piled Higher and Deeper) I recommend you see the comics.  This month, MUN had a showing of The PHD Movie.  I enjoyed the fact that the characters actually looked like the drawn characters.  Read more about the movie experience from I Code by the Sea.  But for fans who missed it I'd like to add that you already saw the punch lines, as the movie was essentially the first part of the comics.  If you'd like your campus to show the movie,  find out how.

This is me, take it or leave it NL.

My "Petcock"

[My Ninja, "Pocket"]

Computing has revolutionized the way motorcycles work for the better in many ways.  But it makes me cry a little inside to see the way it's impacting the old biker culture. Motorcycle manufactures are adding more and more electronics to inform users (GPS, onboard computers), improve safety (ABS, oxygen sensors, electronic ignition), and perform other tasks (12V sockets so you can charge your batteries). For example, according to Aprilia, it is standard for their naked bike (the “Shiver”) to come equipped with all these options.  I'd also like to point out that they have some great "naked" slogans which you can see if you click some of the reference links on this post.

[Pocket and friends in rural NL]

If you observe bikes parked in the Tim Horton's parking lot on a warm Thursday night (lot night) in Paradise Newfoundland, you'll notice the older the bike, the greater the chance it will have a carburetor. You can also come to the same conclusion by looking through years of bike specifications on manufacturers websites such as Kawasaki's, as you can watch many of the newer bike engines switch to fuel injected models (minus a few such as the Ninja 250R).

[The petcock is connected
to the gas tank!]

Now let's look at Aprilia, one of the first bike manufacturers to introduce an innovative ride-by-wire throttle technology on a production bike (Motorcycle Consumer News). Similar in idea to the "Fly-by-wire" technology in a airplane, this fuel injector electronically controls the throttle valve aperture and is selectable by Aprilia's “Tri-Map”. Aprilia's Tri-Map has three modes which gives the user the ability to “detune” the engine by pushing the button on the right switch block (Motorino). This alters the throttle response and/or cuts the horsepower (Motorcycle Consumer News), enabling the rider to have the quick zippy response of a sport bike, a smoother touring approach for those longer rides, or a more cautious response for those riding in rainy weather. These three modes can be seen on the LCD display connected to the on-board computer which receives and processes information and is equipped with it's own memory for self-diagnostics. Just to add to the impressiveness, the screen also shows gear engaged, map selected, ambient temperature, trip time and a clock (Aprilia).

[Emergency downtown St. John's
Pocket fix with handy assistant]

As technology advances, the old biker culture falls to the wayside. The days of a person tinkering with their mechanic skills in the garage and cleaning their "carbs" with their buddies are dwindling, as there are less parts to play with without paying a price. As of September 14th, 2011 typing "fix carburetor" into a search engine such as Google returns top results with keywords like “repair”. Doing the same for “fix fuel injector” returns top results with keywords like “Replacing”. Some argue that fuel injectors are better because they are more proficient and emission friendly (Motorino). But, after questioning a Professor of Computer Science who is currently a proud owner of a “Aprilia Shiver”, he admitted the inconveniences of not being able to fix parts of his bike due to the electronics. As the systems become more electronic, it gets beyond the scope of the average biker enthusiast, mechanic or even computer scientist to fix (even if it's computer related). Sadly this means the “fix it yourself” culture changes to “buy it yourself”. Every year I meet more and more people who consider themselves "motorcycle enthusiasts" who are afraid to "touch their parts".  When you see little ol' me arguing with a guy in the Cape Spear parking lot trying to convince him that changing oil isn't a scary thing, it's a sad day.  Especially when his response is, "it's to risky".  All the joy is gone.

[Pocket on the highway to Clarenville
Photo by Roger Price]

What does fuel injection mean to me? There will be a day in the future where I won't be able to make double entendres about a "Petcock" vibrating between someones legs. I love my 2009 Ninja 250R. This is me, take it or leave it.



Hello (blogger) world!

[Me]

First off, I'd like to introduce this blog.  I've determined there is no singular topic I want to blog about consistently, so this will be a mishmash of experiences, events, and unrelated topics.

Now to introduce myself.  I'm a Software Developer from Newfoundland.  Below is a little bit of information about my background so you'll know what to expect from this blog.  If you don't like a topic, read the next one!  There is quite the unrelated variety.

• Fitness- I've been a dancer since 1991.  I've done jazz, modern, hip-hop, tap, ballet, and was in a performing group that did performances in town.  Since then I've also started doing pilates, yoga, hooping, and hiking.  I've been on a health kick/quest lately, so there will probably be some fitness topics at some point.
• Music - I'm not exceptionally talented but I do have a variety of instruments that I play or own with the hopes to play.  Flute, piano, keyboard, organ, guitar, accordion, glockenspiels, and of course, the recorder to name a few.
• Motorcycles - I am a proud owner of a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Special Edition Motorcycle.  Some people would say unusually proud.  Below is a cute little commercial of my favorite bike.
• Pets - I've owned lizards, snakes, cats, hamsters, birds, newts, frogs and fish.  There has been a significant number of people who have contacted me stating that they knew I was a herpetologist (I'm not, nor do I claim to be) and have asked for my help.  I've also had to play vet a couple times due to the complete lack of vet's educated on certain exotic animals.
• Gaming - I randomly visit people I use to MUD with when I was 13, some of them also randomly visit me.  This once lead me into a shack in the middle of a field in Australia.  In the shack was a parachute.  These days I avoid gaming because when I start I stop doing everything else.
• Electrical and Computer Engineering - I'm a bit of a computer nerd.

[Commercial of my favorite bike]

This is me, take it or leave it.