February 2011
IBM and Obama help put Cold-Hard-Cash in Startups hands
You're a tireless Entrepreneur working long hard hours - you need cash to hire key hackers to finish your code and launch your awesome dream - If that sounds like you, then you should jump on this opportunity to get seed money from the White House-led Startup America campaign and IBM.
September 2010
Porting Perl To Python
Python programmers shouldn't get too smug. While many people agree that Python is designed in a way that makes it a highly readable language, there can still be problems with legacy, untested Python code too. Porting legacy Perl to Python can be a daunting task. In this article, learn some of the theory behind dealing with legacy code, including what not to do.
August 2010
Yeah - Learn Linux: Maintain the integrity of filesystems
Learn how to check the integrity of your Linux filesystems, monitor free space, and fix simple problems. Use the material in this article to study for the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) 101 exam for Linux system administrator certification—or just to check your filesystems and keep them in good working order, especially after a system crash or power loss.
Ubuntu Linux solution stack implementation Demos
Here is a 4 part demo series to show you how to implement a solution stack (Rational Application Developer, WebSphere Application Server, and DB2 Express-C) on Ubuntu Linux, as well as how to integrate them in a Java application.
Bazaar: A Powerful, next-generation source control system
Bazaar is used to produce the Ubuntu Linux distribution, which is an enormous software project with thousands of components. If you're using a UNIX or Linux system, chances are that your distribution offers a pre-built Bazaar package. Bazaar is flexible enough to accommodate Subversion - a centralized system and Git - a decentralized system. This article introduces you to Bazaar's many appealing features.
Resizing Linux partitions, Part 1: Basics
Several tools exist to Resizing Linux partitions, but there are a number of potential pitfalls and restrictions that can make the task more difficult than it might at first seem. This article guides you through the task of resizing Linux partitions, beginning with basic preparations and moving on to common resizing scenarios using graphical user interface (GUI) tools.
User space memory access from the Linux kernel
As the kernel and user space exist in different virtual address spaces, there are special considerations for moving data between them. Explore the ideas behind virtual address spaces and the kernel APIs for data movement to and from user space, and learn some of the other mapping techniques used to map memory
High availability with the Linux Distributed Replicated Block Device
The 2.6.33 Linux kernel has introduced a useful new service called the DRBD - Distributed Replicated Block Device. This service mirrors an entire block device to another networked host during run time, permitting the development of high-availability clusters for block data. Explore the ideas behind the DRBD and its implementation in the Linux kernel.
July 2010
vi tips and tricks: Ten cool commands
Amaze your friends with cool vi tips and tricks that will improve the efficiency of your file editing. This article takes you through ten of the less well-known vi commands that should form part of any serious vi user's toolkit.
Quick Demo: Ubuntu Linux solution stack implementation
Learn how to download and install a Ubuntu image and then go through some basic shell commands to help you navigate through the Linux environment. This is part 1 of a 4 part demo series to show you how to implement a solution stack (Rational Application Developer, WebSphere Application Server, and DB2 Express-C) on Ubuntu Linux, as well as how to integrate them in a Java application.
Creates a whole new painting tool for GIMP
The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is a robust application for editing and manipulating digital images. In this article, you will learn how to get started with the GIMP code, how to build the project from the Git repositories, and how to find your way around the code tree. And you will build an example application that creates a whole new painting tool for the program.
Gourmet Java technology for Android applications
Java language is the tool of choice for Android developers. The Android runtime uses its own virtual machine, Dalvik, which is not the usual Java virtual machine that most Java developers are used to. In this article you will learn advanced Java features and how they are implemented on Android. This includes features such as concurrency, networking, and database access.
Distributed data processing with Hadoop - Part-3: App Build
Leran how to develop applications within the Hadoop infrastructure. This article explores the Hadoop APIs and data flow and demonstrates their use with a simple mapper and reducer application.
Migrate your Linux application to the Amazon cloud
Cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) are well documented, but what's often not discussed is how to get a running Linux application into a cloud computing environment. Discover how to move an application into the cloud and take advantages of the features this setup has to offer.
Distributed data processing with Hadoop, Part 2: Going further
Learn advanced setup that uses multiple nodes for parallel processing. It demonstrates the various node types required for multinode clusters and explores MapReduce functionality in a parallel environment. This article also digs into the management aspects of Hadoop—both command line and Web based.
Continuous integration with Buildbot
The days of cowboy coding are long gone at most organizations, replaced by a renewed interest in generating quality software. Continuous integration (CI) testing is a vital component in the practice of agile programming techniques that lead to high-quality software. Learn the theory and practice of CI testing by exploring Buildbot, an open source CI system written in Python.
June 2010
Learn Linux, 101: Find and place system files
Learn the correct location for files under the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) on a Linux system and learn how to find important files and commands. You can use the material to explore file organization and management.
Capturing screen shots and program interaction on UNIX and Linux systems
Modern UNIX systems provide a number of different tools to capture the text-oriented interaction between a user and a specific program and to capture graphical screens and single windows. This article focuses on different ways to keep a record of the interaction between a user and a command-line application.
Learn Linux, 101: Create and change hard and symbolic links
Learn how to create and manage hard and symbolic links to files on your Linux system. Explore the differences between hard and soft, or symbolic, links and the best ways to link to files, as opposed to copying files.
Enable multipath SAN-boot Linux system on IBM DS8000 Storage
Booting servers from storage area networks with multiple paths can provide significant benefits for the complex, modern data center environment. This article walks you through setting up a SAN-boot Linux system on the IBM System Storage DS8000 with the multipath function supported by the Device-Mapper MultiPath (DMMP) feature.
May 2010
Distributed data processing with Hadoop
This article explores the Hadoop framework, including its fundamental elements, such as the Hadoop file system (HDFS), and node types that are commonly used. Learn how to install and configure a single-node Hadoop cluster, and delve into the MapReduce application. Finally, discover ways to monitor and manage Hadoop using its core Web interfaces.
Learn Read Hat RPM and Yellowdog YUM package management
Learn how to install, upgrade and manage packages on your Linux system. This article focuses on the Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) developed by Red Hat, as well as the Yellowdog Updater Modified (YUM). Explore the best ways to add new software and keep your system current.
Ceph: A Linux petabyte-scale distributed file system
A recent addition to Linux's impressive selection of file systems is Ceph, a distributed file system that incorporates replication and fault tolerance while maintaining POSIX compatibility. Explore the architecture of Ceph and learn how it provides fault tolerance and simplifies the management of massive amounts of data.
April 2010
Linux on 4KB-sector disks: Practical advice
This article examines the implications of 4KB-sector disks, including benchmark tests illustrating the likely real-world effects on some common Linux file systems. As disks with 4096-byte sectors become more common throughout 2010 and beyond, strategies for coping with these new disks will become increasingly important.
Open source software is no longer just for alpha-geeks
This article humbley attempts to convince you that open source software is a solution for some subset of problems and that some of your problems most likely exist within that subset. See how open source is a flexible, usable approach to efficiency in your work environment.
