How Many Dead Pixels Warrant a Return?
Here’s a handy little reference for what various manufacturers consider a defective LCD. Start counting your pixels.
5/25/2005
5/18/2005
5/11/2005
Webserver Outage Contingency Plan
In the event of a webserver outage due to unexpected hardware or software failure, one can temporarily boot the server with a Knoppix disc. For my own department I’ve dubbed this disc the the Emergency Web Server Outage CD (EWOC). The EWOC CD can be obtained from my office, the department’s administrative offices or downloaded (in ISO-9660 format) from here. The CD is a bootable Linux CD that, once booted from, posts the following outage notification for visitors to the webserver:
The web site you are attempting to visit is experiencing technical difficulties. Our support staff will be restoriing access as soon as possible. While you wait, please consider visiting the main Princeton University site for university news and events, program descriptions and admission information. Thank you for your patience.
To utilze the Emergency Webserver Outage CD, do the following:
1. Obtain the CD
2. Find the Webserver experiencing the outage
3. Place the CD in the drive
4. Reboot the Webserver
If the page isn’t posted as expected after the machine completes its reboot the problem is more serious than software or hard drive failure. The problem can be narrowed to hardware failure from there and further repair would require someone physically present.
5/10/2005
Building a Base Windows XP Image with Separate User Parition
These are the notes for creation and customization of the Windows XP image for Operations Research & Financial Engineering’s computing clusters and labs. The notes are updated as the software set and configuration options change. If anyone has any feedback on how best to configure Windows XP for safe, secure and efficient working environment feel free to drop a comment at the end of these notes.
5/6/2005
Hello Zeroconf
“The Bonjour Printer Wizard is also included and allows Windows computers to print to Bonjour networked printers, including USB shared printers connected to the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express Base Stations. Since Apple first launched Bonjour in 2002, every major maker of network printers has adopted Bonjour. With the Bonjour Printer Wizard, computers using Windows can also experience the benefits of effortlessly discovering and printing to these Bonjour printers.”
5/4/2005
New Restrictions on Dell Purchases?
Dell redesigned their page. Before you log in for the first time you get this message.
The only response I can fathom at the moment: Ummm, what?
Princeton University has established standards for computers purchased and used for university business. The Desktop Systems Council (DeSC) recommends specific computer configurations for use in departments.
Selection of these configurations include the following considerations:
# Network compatibility
# Standard hardware components
# Software applications
# On-site service
# Extended warranty
# “Premier� internal and external technical support
The purchase of non-standard computers is not recommended. A decision to purchase a computer that is not within the established standards should be made ONLY after acknowledging that the computer:
# Will not be eligible for on-site service, but must be returned to an off-site facility for any repair
# Will not include standard hardware components, which may cause compatibility problems with other hardware and with software that is used on campus
# Will not be eligible for DeSC or for DeSC services such as automatic software updates or use of key-served software
# Will not be eligible for sales tax reimbursement
Click here to access the Princeton University Premier Page. For Buyer or Management access please use your Dell Premier login at Premier.Dell.com.
5/3/2005
Local Passwordless Account and the PU Domain
Membership on the Princeton domain (be it DeSC or non-DeSC) enforces a set of password rules ensuring complex passwords on your machine for local users. This is problematic if you like to set your users up with blank passwords prior to their initial login and have the OS prompt them to set their own.
Fortunately the domain only enforces these rules once the machine is attached and ignores enforcing them retroactively. So if you create your passwordless accounts (that are required to set a password at first login) prior to attaching to the domain the setup will persist when you join up.