su - Windows version

Having been a slightly more advanced Windows user for years, I learnt a brand new thing today. I was actually looking around for some information on some issues I'm facing at work but stumbled upon this and it's too good an issue to pass up for bloggin. Especially since I'm still very dry of ideas. ;-)

Now, in Linux and also Unix spin-offs, there has always been tighter security in the shape of user login. All users must log in to use the OS and different users have different rights and permissions. The usual best practice for advocated for security reasons is to use the system under a normal user account and change to superuser for administrative purposes. Linux has a simple way of changing to superuser, or any other user in fact, by calling the su function to switch user.


As for Windows, starting from Windows 2000 (I do not know about Windows NT as my experience does not include that), anyone who wants to use the OS must also log in. However Windows also provides the option to directly boot up and log in for a system with a single user. What I've always done is to create a single user on my system and assign it to the Administrators group. This is because I like to experiment and will keep changing settings and applications for which a normal user might not be able to do. Unfortunately that means my system is less secure since a 'superuser' will log in automatically on boot-up. It was rather troublesome to keep the single user as normal user because there was no easy way to temporarily change to a user with administrative rights to install applications and the like.

Now I have found my answer. Ironically from an institute of higher learning which I've always perceived as being full of theory and empty of practice. =P

Have a look at this topic to be found in the Indiana University, University Information Technology Services' Knowledge Base.

'In Windows 2000 and XP, what is the Secondary Logon service?'

I've seen this service in the list of services of my PC but never took the time to find out more about it. Always just left it there by default. Now I know.

Yeah, I Got No Life. That's Why My Sorry Bum Is Plonked Right Here

Then again, we are all entitled to certain basic choices and freedom....... or not? That's a rather common and interesting presumption by many. What are we entitled to? In what context? Based on what? Anyhow, what I wanted to share is.....

Sometime back in October, my friend posted this 'Speed and It's Evil Twin'. Then I stumbled on these two and I had a really really good laugh. Been some time since I could afford that. Am so thoroughly enjoying myself right this moment. Have a laugh.

Xiaxue started on December 13, 'Ever felt like you have an invisible friend?'
Then Kenny followed with this. Oh man, this is a really great one. =D

Lost and Found: What is GNU?

Well, I just found out, or shall I say rediscover the meaning ofGNU. All I could remember about it is the recursive acronym part. GNU is Not something. Well, I found it today. GNU is Not Unix. =D

Also had quite a bit of education in accounting AND difference between Open Source, Free Software and a whole multitude of different types of licenses. Whew, it's all so confusing.

Joy vs worry

Ahh... finally I got my lazy bum around to at least start customize and redesign my blog. Well, it's about time anyway. New year, new resolutions. =P Will be reorganizing my stuff. Perhaps start another blog for something else. Something I have been meaning to practice but as usual have been dragging my feet for quite some time.

On a more somber note, the world is becoming more and more unsafe. Recently my buddy(M) was talking about moving out because the population opposite our apartment has just increased by two. According to my buddy(FM), there was once when she opened the door and found two fellas standing there in nothing except a towel wrapped around smoking. This was during night time.

Well, it's rather difficult to comment on other people's habits and practices but then again I can understand the feeling of insecurity. Although, the fact that they are of a different race might have affected my buddy(M) since he is self-admit occasionally discriminating person. ;-)

I came back quite late last night and happened upon one fella sitting at the stairs there smoking. He greeted me and I greeted him back and he seems ok but then again it's pretty hard to tell from first impressions. He did make some conversation talking about how his landlady doesn't allow them to smoke inside the house. Unfortunately I was rather stoned from exhaustion... and a rather full meal. So I missed the chance to learn more about him/them. As I was closing the door, I saw another fella just inside the house playing with his handphone.

Anyhow, that by itself wouldn't have mattered much to me except for two other teensy weensy detail. One, recently we have been getting some weird phone calls through the house phone where no one speaks or occasionally someone giggles and then puts down the phone. In addition, my buddy(M) has been getting some weird missed calls on his mobile where the caller says some mumbo jumbo and then puts down the phone. When my buddy(M) called the fella back, he just mumbled some stuff and then put down the phone or he does not pick up the phone at all.

Then I happened upon poor Suanie and her recent incident. *Sigh*, end of the year and the whole world turns to chaos. Anyhow I better go sleep. Tomorrow is another work day for me.

It's alive!

Finally after almost a whole month, we got a brand new router!! Thanks Burger boy for helping us buy that. =D

After a pretty long exile into the unknown wilds of the disconnected world, I'm finally back online. Here's to looking forward to the bright future ahead. No more boring monotonous offline entertainment. It's time to parrtteeeyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Heya! Here I cooommmmeeeeeee..................

Patterns, The Human Natural Language

Recently, I've been introduced to and started using design patterns at work. It does seem quite useful. However, now I realise it's not really something new. Just that there was no buzzword linked to it before. As I ponder the issue slowly, I began to realise another useful point. Humans communicate through patterns! We are in our element when there is a certain pattern to ideas and concepts, to the abstract and concrete. It doesn't matter whether the pattern is symmetrical or asymmetrical but the fact remains that patterns are the basic understanding process that we humans use.

Something which started me on this 'ponderous' journey. =) It is rather hilarious.

Dating Design Patterns

And today, I stumbled upon this.

Design Patterns: A Love Story
Umm... might need to sanitize a bit for the underaged. ;-) Nothing that can't be read at work though.