Marvin's Place

After long wait, Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope is now available for public download. Servers might be busy right

now but I would prefer you get it via torrent. It will be faster than regular HTTP download.

Ubuntu had been one of the most popular Linux distro and had been penetrating users from home, schools, business up to the government level.

Get Ubuntu 9.04 at http://releases.ubuntu.com/jaunty/. Or for those with slow internet connection, you can request a free CD from http://shipit.ubuntu.com (which in the time of writing is currently down).

I haven’t yet downloaded it since I am planning to get a copy from the Ubuntu Philippine team meetup tomorrow (for those intersted, you can join us, details here).

You can read a first look review from Lifehacker.com

It’s summer and the heat is on. Some goes to the beach, some to Bagio, some goes to their hometown for their vacation. But for me (and my family), we’re staying at home (well, they spent a week in Laguna for a week of vacation).

With the currently temperature we’re experiencing here in Manila Philippines (from 28C to 35C), it is not impossible for many things to overheat. And since most are at home (specially students), one of the things that will be used most are computers. Unless you have an air-conditioned room, your computer might go freakin’ hot.

That’s what I have experienced lately. I am using an Intel Pentium D 3.2ghz system. At idle, the temps are at around 42C (before summer). But due to the current temperatures (we have no air conditioner), idle temp is around 50C. Playing games (need for speed) would make the procie go to a temp as high as 65C and my PC will buzz telling me I am reaching a high temp already. I tried changing the airflow on the PC, but nothing changed.

Last resort, check the processor’s heat sink for blockage. I opened up the case and removed the fan on the processor (I didn’t removed the heat sink as I don’t have any thermal paste on hand). To my expectations, I saw lot’s of dust covering the fins of the heat sink, blocking the air that the fan is blowing on it. I removed those nasty dusts and cleaned some other spots on the computer. Hoping for the best, I placed everything back, turned on the PC, and checked the temps, and idle is 40C-43C (waited for a few minutes and still on the same range). Then I played need for speed for a few laps (usually, I will hear the warning once the race begin), and heard no warning. After playing, I checked the temps and it’s only 45C-49C. I will still be testing tomorrow playing longer.

Dust accumulation on heat sinks are number one enemy on good cooling system. Cleaning it regularly is a good habit. Just make sure power is off and power cable is unplugged to avoid hazards.

Cheers.

It’s been almost one week now that my wife and son is on “out-of-town”. They went to her sister in Laguna (with her mother and niece).

I miss them…

They’ll be coming back Saturday afternoon. I am excited.

Here’s an update on my previous post regarding the diet pill spam lurking on Yahoo Messenger (and as I researched, on other IM networks as well)

After further research, CA Security Advisor Research Blog tells that this is actually a phishing scam.

I never clicked the links included on the spams I receive. But as the article indicates, links on the spam (each message might contain a different link) points to a single IP and it is a website about the pills offering a free trial of the popular fruit. However, upon checkout, it is not using the “https://” or secure http, which definitely means phishing. So if the unfortunate victim clicks submit, his credit card information will be sent to someone so he/she can use it for fraud.

So how does this spam works? This is only my theory. Either a malware on our computers or from some net cafe we went to was able to catch our username and password. Due to reports that the spam is received from clients that are “logged off” from Yahoo (which is my experience), I believe that a certain spambot on some server (maybe the same server as the phishing website) logs in using the username and password, sends a buzz to the poor clients contacts then sends the spam message with the link. So the unsuspecting receipient thinks that the message is legitimate, clicks the link, attracted by the offer (since Acai berry was really promoted by Oprah Winfrey and Rachel Ray), takes the trial, fills the credit card info, hits submit, and his/her credit card details are now in the hands of the criminals for their use.

Some possible but reasonable tips on how to avoid/solve this problem (take note, this might not solve the problem, but you won’t lose anything if you try):

• Update your operating system, softwares, etc. with the latest patches from the manufacturers.
• Update your security software (anti-virus) virus definitions.
• Do a regular (on your own terms:)) full system scan.
• Don’t trust files from the internet (unless you are sure, don’t run or install).
• Change your YM password.
• Inform your friends who are sending the spam to do the same thing.

I have already changed my password and will be monitoring if someone will still receive a message from me.

Notes: (from www.wikipedia.org)

Spam – A collection of unsolicited bulk electronic messages

Phishing – the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Acai Berry (açaí palm) – a member of the genus Euterpe, which contains 8 species of palms native to tropical Central and South America, from Belize south to Brazil and Peru, growing mainly in floodplains and swamps. Recently, the açai “berry” has been touted and marketed as a highly beneficial dietary supplement. Companies sell açaí berry products in the form of tablets, juice, smoothies, instant drink powders, and whole fruit.

There can never be a “spam free world”, but at least we can do something to minimize it.

Yes, I created a new blog dedicated on my experiences as a Christian Education Deparment (commonly known as Sunday School) Director of our church.

The purpose of that blog is not to give ideas or tips etc., but merely to blog about what we are currently doing in our department. Of course I hope and pray that people might get some ideas from my posts here, but I also hope that other experts could comment, or share what they are doing in their own churches.

So, please do check it out at http://thesundayschooldirector.marvincruz.com (sorry for the long URL, I’m planning to purchase a domain for this one soon – donations accepted ) http://sundayschooldirector.co.cc.

God bless..

Soli Deo Gloria

Update: Due to some functionalities I need, I moved the blog from blogger to my selfhosted Wordpress blog.

Turn off your lights for 60 minutes to promote the fight against global warming. March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm, Philippine Time (or whatever country you are)

Spam Messenger under a Yahoo ID

I’ve been a long time Yahoo! Messenger (YM) user. Yahoo was my first e-mail account and most of my contacts are Yahoo!.
I won’t make the intro long. So here’s what’s I want to post. There are times before where I receive an instant message from an unknown Yahoo! ID. Well, simply, that was spamming. I suspect the spammers were able to get my email address from forums or at the Yahoo! Chatrooms. But then lately (I believe it started last year), I am receiving “wierd” IMs from my yahoo buddies (those are my friends). The first one, as I recalled, was in a different language (Korean or something). I then asked that friend if some one else was using here computer. She told me nobody’s using her PC aside from her, I suspected an account hacking.

I then asked some “pro” regarding this and they told me that most probably, this was caused by a malware or a “worm”. I asked my friend to do a virus scan. She wiped out her hard drive and made a fresh install. Since then, there were no more “spam” from her.

However, another buddy got “infected” by this and sends out IMs also on a different language. But lately, I was surprised because one of my buddies were sending me IMs (in English) regarding a “diet pill” (sample of the message below). I thought he was just promoting something. But when almost 5 buddies were sending the message, I was alarmed that they might be infected by a worm or malware.

Yesterday, I asked my brother if he was receiving messages like that and he said yes. I the asked if he received one from me, I believe he said no but when I came to office, he had sent me an email with a message coming from me. We talked in the morning and the message was timestamped at 10:35 in the evening.. I left home 10 in the evening.
Before the message reach you, your “buddy” will first “buzz” (hitting ctrl+g on yahoo messenger client will buzz or shake the other contacts IM window to get attention) you and then send out the message. If you could notice in the image, the buzz was made 10:35:01pm and the message was sent at the exact same second. With the length of that message, it is imposible to type it in split second, unless you copy – paste very quickly. The worst thing is, I am using Pidgin, an opensource, multi platform/protocol (you can have AIM, Gtalk, YM, IRC, multiple accounts on same protocol) instant messenging client. And this program doesn’t have the “buzz” feature. I am sure my wife didnt’ use YM cause she knew about Pidgin. (Thought I’m not going to make this long??)

So the question is, is my account being “hacked”. Was someone able to figure out the passwords of these users (including me) and then send spam to all our contact on our list? Or it is a worm the controls not the IM client, but the connection itself so it can send messages and command without opening an IM windows and execute a feature (the “buzz”) even if it is not supported by your client. Most probably it is a worm or malware.

I tried searching the net but not enough info. My brother gave me a link to a forum (on a different language). But when I try google’s transaltor, it is filtered in our office. So my resolution is to do a full system scan. Also run anti-malware/spyware scan. Then reformat and reinstall everything (which I will be doing anyway since my partitioning sucks), and delete any programs I downloaded from the net that I don’t need (well, those are clean programs, but I don’t need it).

Another question is, how did I get that malware/worm. Honestly, I don’t know. There are actually 3 computers at home. Two desktops and a laptop. The other desktop, is owned by my wife’s sister. I used to secure that computer but my wife’s nephew wants to do it “his way”. I turned of file and print sharing then. However the laptop was being used by my father-in-law and other people. File and print sharing is active on that one. In any case, some worm/malware can penetrate other computers on the network even if file and print sharing is off. And there are viruses, worms, and malware on the other desktop.

The laptop’s LCD is broken, and I already disconnected the other desktop from the network. Maybe this time, everything will be fine after reinstall.

Lesson to learn: Don’t trust everything on the net (websites/files/etc.) and always do a system scan (anti malware/spyware etc….) once in a while. And buy a good router with good firewall settings (that’s what I’m going to do).

I really don’t want to talk specifically about the company I work for. But the news that was brought to us this day was alarming for us. There are two Dell badged site in the Philippines, Dell Pasay City and Dell Quezon City

Dell Pasay, the first Dell Badged contact center in the Philippines (and also considered as one of the biggest contact center in the country) was sold to Teleperformance, an outsourcing company for contact centers. This was part of Dell Inc.’s “cost managemnt” strategy.

Some of us were surprised, though most are already aware of the past rumors that Dell Pasay or Quezon will be sold to Telepormance (this rumors was around last year). But the news earlier confirmed it. As our Area Manager tells us, there will be a psychological effect for us. Because the question lingers our mind… “Are we (Dell Quezon) next?”. Dell Pasay houses Consumer Technical Support for US, Australia and New Zealand, and also the “prestigious” XPS support.

One of my friend told me that their area manager told them that since Dell Quezon is under business segment (Dell Quezon houses Small and Medium Business customer care, technical support, parts and upgrade and ink, and also the Employee Purchase Program Sales) we are “safe” (since we are considered as income generating line of businesses). However, during our huddle with our area manager, one of the agent asked if there’s any guarantee for our site to stay “Dell Badged”. Our area manager answered, “There are no guarantees.”

They say that recession is the reason for the abrupt change. And I realized that the higher offices were silently communicating this already to us via their email updates regarding changes in how Dell will handle their consumer segment.

I really don’t know what to say to our colleagues in Pasay. I can’t say “I feel for them” cause I am not in their situation. I am praying that whatever have happened, or might happen, that God would intervene specially for those who have faith in Him.

Note:

The agents from Dell Pasay will be transitioned to Teleperformance within 30 days. They have a choice to accept Teleperformance’s job offer with a acceptance bonus or leave with their severance packages. Details are not that clear if they will retain the same basic pay. But definitely, a lot of benefits from being Dell Badged Employee will be lost.

I know, many will say “I don’t care!”, “Dell sucks!”. But please, we are also people working to earn money so we can have food to give to our family.

God bless.

For the last two Sundays, our C.E. department was discussing the upcoming Children’s Camp 2009 in our Church. We have agreed to make this “limited” by selecting children that will attend. This is due to some factor: (1) limited manpower – some of our teachers are not available during the camp so we’re short handed; (2) focus – we want to focus on the individual participant, creating better result; (3) funding – actually, we’re planning to create zero (0) expenses for the department (how we’re going to that will be explained later).

The camp’s theme (no final phrasing yet) is about exposing this children in the ministry. Showing them that they are already part of the church and some of the things that they are currently doing (distributing and collecting hymn books, stacking up chairs after service, etc.) are already part of their ministry and that there other ministries that they can be involved. We will also impart to them the importance of discipline and commitment.

It’s a big task actually. We’re preparing future leaders of the church. And it will not end at camp closing. This will be a continous discipleship, something this church haven’t done for a while.

This camp will be a replacement of the traditional “Vacation Bible School” that almost all of the churches in the whole Philippines are conducting every summer. As for me, this VBS is very popular, churches spend money on it, but there were no proper follow up. I am not saying that VBS is useless. I believe that, still, many children and families are presented at God’s feet during this event, but our church want to focus more on the current members of the church. Training them and enabling them for the ministry.

As I’ve said earlier, we plan zero (0) amount to spend on this event. How? We have delegated the expenses to our members. Each family were assigned a specific meal, some families were assigned for the materials that are needed. We lack funds. But this church went from one activity to one activity without that much of funding. Church families are willing to give their time in preparing foods for church activities (we sometimes call this bayanihan).

Camp will start on April 24 in the afternoon up till April 25 noon. Activities include film showing, some community work, group activities and discussion.

Prayers are very much welcome for this event. We still have a lot of things to prepare.

Soli Deo Gloria

I’ve been the church’s Christian Education Director of Liberty Presbyterian Church since August of 2007. That makes it almost a year and a half now.

My forte in the church is not CE (Christian Education). Though I did teach (on my former church) youth for sometime, my forte was in music (but I am not  an expert in music). When I came in this church (my wife’s from this church), I never planned of being involved in the church leadership. But still I was involved, first on their worship ministry (they don’t have any music team), then on Christian Education department. I was appointed by the teachers. I don’t know where to start and how to properly do it. I have some background regarding CE back in the seminary but it’s just a background. But by God’s grace, I was able to sustain more than one year of leadership.

I was blessed with a wonderful team. The teachers were cooperative, open minded and vocal. We had some “renovations” made to the structure of the Sunday School program. We’ve conducted some training for our teachers (facilitated by….. ourselves), youth seminar, a dinner fellowship for couples. We’re currently planning for a small children’s camp this April (instead of the traditional Vacation Bible School), and a supplemantary feeding program on May.

This church (which is already a more than a decade old), went through a few downfall. Currently, we are trying to establish the “Church Leadership” by electing (appointing actually) key leaders (Deacons, Deaconess, coordinators for Men, Women, etc.).

Dwelling deeper in the ministry, because I am thinking of being involved deeper on the church’s leadership. I’ve already talked to my wife and she was supportive. I am planning to be involved in the office of the Deacons. There are a couple of reason why I want to. First, as it turned out, there is only one person in the church who is willing to do the task of Diaconate and this person migh leave soon for a work abroad. Second, which might sound obscure for some, is that being in this position, I can have some sort of “authority”. It’s not that I am after that “authority” per se, but there are things I know I can do better with it. Our pastor also agreed that, it is good to have those leaders also with the Diaconate position. I don’t want to discuss the “meaning”, etc., for the word Deacon (cause different churches interprets it in different ways). There are a lot of things in my mind that I want to suggest or do in this church.

I don’t know yet when will this happen or if the existing leadership will accept my “application”. But whatever the case maybe, may the will of the Lord be done.

Also, it’s been more than a year now. And I am thinking, what progress do we have with our department. There are still a lot of things to do. We still need to put our hearts more into the ministry that the Lord had entrusted us. I pray everything will work out great, by God’s grace, this year.

Soli Deo Gloria.