I struggle with ROM for log file storage. It is one of those things that no one EVER looks at, but everyone covers their asses. As an example DHS requires 90 days online, 7 years offline. Anton Chuvakin from Security Warrior posted this today and I thought it was pretty good:
100,000 log messages / second x 300 bytes / log message ~ 28.6 MB
x 3600 seconds ~ 100.6 GB / hour
x 24 hours ~ 2.35 TB / day
x 365 days ~ 860.5 TB / year
x 3 years ~ 2.52 PB
Agile Software Development using SCRUM is one of best force multipliers a team can utilize to speed-up cycles. It can take a disorganized team and allow them to execute with precision and does so with very small changes to the battle rhythm. I would go as far as to say it increases my ability to manage by applying the same process to documentation, negotiating, and management. With all of that said (and with very little disagreement I’d wager) Agile is going nowhere in defense contracting. The fact is that the 3-letter agencies contracts are written in a way that only allows for waterfall systems engineering approaches. We as an industry have not done well to engage and educate our customers in the benefits.
Every RFI/RFP/BAA in recent memory focuses on Waterfall Systems Engineering for software development. There is a BDUF (Big Design Up Front) with Critical Design Reviews once the engineers scurry back from their whiteboards with a solution for that BDUF. The problem with the approach is that “you don’t know what you don’t know” and BDUF forces you to live with those changes. In critical states of programs as the ability to change requires multiple contract modifications and renegotiate that pit customer against developer. BDUF also usually means funding up front and coming back to the well for more is not recommended or commonly allowed.
Right about implementation is when you realize your requirements and/or design both sucked
Why do we continue to do this? It is my belief that humans are inherently lazy and I say that as a system administrator who scripts EVERYTHING. Contracts are difficult to write and agree to and past copies have already dealt with the minute details. Where most engineers fall victim to NIH (Not Invented Here), most lawyers and contracts officers have fallen victim to DIA (Don’t Invent Again). In addition if you get past the DIA and find a team open enough to go Agile there is no guarantee the umbrella agency PHB will let it go through. One of my projects actually started with Agile and got all the way to T-minus 2 months IOC when the top level agency asked for the SDLC documentation. Everyone scurried to create all the necessary documentation for a process we didn’t follow due to a “check the box” need. What was a on-time and customer driven project became an overrun and stressful battle.
Agile works great for products based teams that develop shrink-wrapped software or are simply a GSA line item. Project teams are relegated to follow something you know will most likely fail. Educate folks, it is the only hope we have as software developers and managers…
Winetricks is a WONDERFUL tool for those of us relegated to a few windows programs on alternate platforms. I have never had issues on Linux, but on Mac the tool never seemed to work. For some reason installation with either macports or fink did not include the dependcy of md5sha1sum. Install that and you will no longer get the errors about mismatches!
sudo port -v install winetricks md5sha1sum
Credit to Tw3aky: http://forum.winehq.org/viewtopic.php?p=47908#47908
There is so much hoopla about Private Mode browsing not actually keeping you private. Most of it is due to your addons for Flash and Java. Here are the extensions I use to keep the browser private ALWAYS:
Chrome – Click&Clean
Firefox – Click&Clean
Internet Explorer – CCleaner plugin since IE is the suckage
A few months ago I started compiling the iPhone libraries for Linux to allow syncing without WIFI. I thought I was king of the world as I bypassed all of the Apple controls to sync with Rhythmbox. With each upgrade of the iPhone OS I would diligently ”git clone” and start the process over again. The last few times though I have felt like less of a King and more like a Prisoner. Why do I have to hack my way around a device I own? Am I but leasing the thing from Apple/AT&T or did I actually purchase it?
Frustration grew to anger and much like my Facebook Deletion a few weeks ago, if I was going to talk about openness I have to live it. Part of my switch from Mac to Linux again full-time was that I grew tiresome of the walled garden. I preach the EFF/FSF talking points and support companies that support the community…except for my phone…
So here it goes, a switch to a more free device. In all honesty I would rather do the N900 route, but there is free and hackable; and free and usable. The N900 is far from usable and much like every N-series MID before it, Nokia has screwed over the community by not supporting the device for more than a year. The device near and dear to my heart is a Palm Pre, but the lack of new devices and questionable future turned me off. WebOS is a beauty and if in a year (I go through phones like toilet paper) there is a new device I will surely pick it up. For now though, its time for a switch to Android. Froyo SDK has really impressed me and while there are VERY rough edges I am willing to bleed for the cause.
Oh and switching might just include a flip to Sprint…Evo 4g…yummy…
