Peter's Blog

I’m using Windows 7 on my desktop for some time now, I’ve upgraded from Vista. Yesterday I’ve shutdown the system normally, without any problems. Today after start and logging into I’ve noticed that wallpaper is changed and then message appeared that I was logged into a temporary profile and have no access to my files. WTF?! I’ve logged off and started my Mac to catch up with few things meanwhile. Log off process was on for about 15 minutes, so I’ve finally gave up and turned off machine then turned it on again. Selected to start Windows normally in after crash dialog and voila my profile has been launched without problem, I have all my files and settings. Windows is strangest system, really. Next time somebody would ask me why I prefer Mac OS I’ll point him to this post. Just hope that it was single instance of this issue, will make a new backup though, just in case.

Looks like really every program can be harm to your computer these days. I’m reading US CERT reports regularly and yesterday I’ve read this one. Long story short software included with the Energizer DUO USB battery charger contains a backdoor that allows unauthorized remote system access. It’s very serious as attacker can gain complete access to machine (however with privileges of currently logged user, so if you’re not using admin account all the time it’s not so serious, but how many Windows users do that). Software leaves possibility of attack on TCP port 7777 and after gaining access such activities are possible: ability to list directories, send and receive files, and execute programs. Read more in the original report. Who would even suppose that software which shows you progress of charging your batteries can bring such vulnerability? This happens when developers don’t pay attention to security, would it ever change? Ehh.

I’m using Debian Linux as a second operating system. Previously I was using it only for my servers, but now I’ve decided to start doing some software development on it. As I love bash environment, the choice of text editor was pretty obvious, Vim, the greatest editor ever made. But problem was that I like my syntax to be colored, it’s easier to write program code then. No problem, I thought, quick searching via Google gave me the “:syntax on” command which should enable what I’ve wanted. After typing it in my Vim I’ve received a message “command not available in this version”, WTF? So I’ve searched and searched, and searched a little more:) And finally solved it!

To have colored syntax in Vim on Debian:
1. Login as root.
2. Execute “apt-get install vim-full”.
3. Edit “/etc/vim/vimrc” and uncomment line with “syntax on, by simply deleting ” sign.

That’s it! It’s working now. Last step (3) is not necessary, but it gives colored syntax to all users without need of typing “:syntax on” command every time Vim is started. Hope it would help somebody, because it took me a while to find this solution, so maybe I would spare this to you. I know it’s not best solution, because it’s installing a lot of stuff which you (and I) will probably never use, but for now it’s the only one I have. If you know how to get same result with less things to be installed, please let me know.

Today I’ve discovered Windows Live Writer which is application to make posting on your blog easier. This is my first post written using this tool. Hope this would help me to make my blog updated more frequently:)