Security Suggestion

[Sea Mac]

Oh really, fucking sweet. Thanks for all the help on this. That script will make my life considerably easier. I will be away until this Sat (1 more week), but as soon as I get back I'm gettin right on that. Now the only real challenge with this will be converting this template for the SMF. Any suggestions on an easier way to do that, I'd would appreciate =) but it shouldnt be too hard to do it manually anyway.

Thanks again for all this help!

How about hundreds of ready built Themes?

http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php

http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?board=96.0

Salvia Guide Forum (which shall return it seems) used the "Bleen" theme:
http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=186

Which is a LOT like what you are using now.

SMF has an Active developer community and there are LOTS of Approved Mods/Add-ons! (I'm fond of their arcade add-on!)

http://custom.simplemachines.org/

Your forum how you want it!



SMF provides its users with the ability to customize their forums. You can change how it looks and even how it operates.

    *
      Mod Site

      In our Modification Site — commonly called the "Mod Site" — you will find packages that can change your forum's operation, add features, remove features, and a lot of other possibilites.
    *
      Theme Site

      In our theme site you will find themes created by some very talented designers. These themes can transform the way your forum looks. You can find themes ranging from highly professional to fantasy based themes — and everything inbetween.

Most features (Like Manna, PMs, a calender, and a news fader) are built in already but you can get Mods for all kind of COOL Extras!

And if you wish to use Mambo  as your home page and Site Category/Content manager There is a way to link your SMF as a Function of Mambo!   I JUST Installed Mambo on one of my domains:  http://sageseeds.info/home/ and even the banners work fine already ...

The Mambo SMF bridge can be found here: http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=168030.0

And discussed here: http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=25008.0

[Paradoxic]

I'm having trouble finding a way to integrate the SMF forum into the main web site. I cant find a way to get like the same login (for the SMF forum) to work with the rest of the site. Do you have any suggestions?

[Sea Mac]

I'm having trouble finding a way to integrate the SMF forum into the main web site. I cant find a way to get like the same login (for the SMF forum) to work with the rest of the site. Do you have any suggestions?

Integrate all in to the forum as Categories: that's how other forums do it.

Set up SMF AS your Front page. Then Assign forum CATEGORIES to each of these:

Shop / gallery / Trip reports / Knowledge and set Cultivation as a CHILD Board to the Knowledge Category.

You can easily set up a Contributors user group and assign permissions to the forums or Categories that require ONLY pre-approved members be allowed to post. No need for Separate pieces of Software and Integrating them.

The SMF Forum has ALL the Functions you need to Manage ALL your Categories and Users easily!

But, are you saying here that only a PART of this Sites posts/database is in phpBB, and part of your data is NOT in the phpBB database but instead in a database for ANOTHER Application? I HOPE the Contents of ALL the Posts on your Site are in the phpBB database!

After you run the Converter and your SMF forum has ALL the Data in It's data base you will need to limit posting permissions to the Knowledge/Cultivation category and set up a special "Contributors" User group with permission to post.  This also gives you better forum security in that Contributors need not necessarily be moderators.

Really, why use Anything BUT SMF? It HAS all the functions you need already built in (Except the Arcade). Just go look at these sites:

http://www.botanicalswap.org/forums/index.php

http://www.joemarzo.info/forums/index.php

http://softwaresanta.com/smf

and see how they do it.

[Sea Mac]

Yeah you can keep buttons to specific forums/categories in SMF I think: just use the gif as the link ...

[Paradoxic]

Sweet!! I figured out basically everything I need to in order to make the switch. And now I am proud to say SMF rocks! The best part about it is this SSI thing, which is basically like a built in forum-site integration script (equivalent of phpBB_fetch_all which is what I was using before with phpBB). I found out how to use it to integrate everything on the site, the code is straight forward and easy to edit and add-on your own functions.

Thanks so much for introducing me to SMF Sea Mac

Right now I am in the process of re-coding everything and also creating a new layout (but only slightly new) for the new Salvia Source with SMF.

[Sea Mac]

Sweet!! I figured out basically everything I need to in order to make the switch. And now I am proud to say SMF rocks! The best part about it is this SSI thing, which is basically like a built in forum-site integration script (equivalent of phpBB_fetch_all which is what I was using before with phpBB). I found out how to use it to integrate everything on the site, the code is straight forward and easy to edit and add-on your own functions.

Thanks so much for introducing me to SMF Sea Mac

Right now I am in the process of re-coding everything and also creating a new layout (but only slightly new) for the new Salvia Source with SMF.

Oh, you are quite welcome sir.

But really, it was self preservation: how are we going to get anything serious done around here if we are constantly being hammered by spambots?

I'll be glad to show you some really cool tricks in your new forum software ... and you'll be delighted at how easy it will be to delete all those spambot registered users from your DB! Yeah, and I see you've recognized the value of their SSI (Server Side Includes) in integrating your site. I've never used them so you'll have to show me what you mean: but I want to learn how you transferred the site AFTER you've done it ...

We NEED to stop the Spambots first though: they've got us paralyzed - I've NEVER seen it SO Bad before! (There are new domains that exist to ONLY serve spam into blogs and forums now: they didn't exist last year! They have become worse than a DAMN biblical plague of Locusts!!!!)

[Paradoxic]

I'll be happy to show you how I integrate it, you can use the code if you like too. I'm just making an include file that adds SSI functions to the current list. Now that I think about it maybe I should offer the code as a mod to the SMF site.

I saw the member delete list, but I was wondering is there any way to get a users web site to show on that list too?

But yeah those bots are out of control. I wonder if its the next generation of virus/spyware I read about in Wired. Its these networks of bots that reproduce themselves around the net and 'collaborate' to attack vulnerable sites. They form networks with a structure where other companies pay to have other sites invaded buy spam ad targeting. I dont think a company paid for us to get nailed but this type of virus technology could be why there is such an overall increase in bot spamming lately.

[Sea Mac]

I never worry about Viruses. My System is SECURE: I use a MACINTOSH!

The ONLY OS (Operating System) that has "Parasites" (i.e. Viruses/Worms/Trojans/Spyware) is Microsoft Windows!

IF you have Intel processors in your Computer (ALL Computers are made with "i386 instruction sets" compatible microprocessors nowadays: even Apple uses Dual Core Intel processors!) you can get a FREE OS that has NO Parasites from these people:

UBUNTU and they will EVEN Ship you a LIVE Demo CD for FREE: https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

(There is a Distribution for Macintosh Computers with G3/G4/or G5 Power PC {PPC} processors and I LOVE it!!! I start up from the Live CD regularly just to play the built in games!)

The CD EVEN comes with 5 Open Source applications BUILT for Windows ON the CD Ready to Install! (One of them is this:  ClamWin Free Antivirus )

SMF is to phpBB as Ubuntu is to Windows.

3 of those named above are FREE and Open Source but two of them are CLEARLY Superior to their counterparts!

No one with a Broadband Connection should EVER have to put up with the crap MS puts out: Vista is, by all accounts I'VE Heard, the WORST ever in terms of Security ...  

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?NextOrPrevClause=2%7c%2b345&DisplayLang=en&categoryid=7&freetext=Vista&sortCriteria=popularity&sortOrder=ascending&nr=20  

I gave up counting with over 50 critical software updates for Vista since it came out ...

It IS a Security NIGHTMARE: Ubuntu has Automatic security updates that are VERY infrequent!

Just play with the Live CD ... check out all the Applications ... you WILL Be Amazed.

You are sold on SMF ... Now play with Ubuntu! It will cost you nothing!

[DrYRHead]

Whatever you all did, I have not found any more SPAM posts here for a few days now.

[Sea Mac]

No: I saw some today!

There was a "Auto Insurance Quotes" topic added by a Spambot earlier today. I think Paradoxic killed it: but I SAW it!

And what do you call this?

http://www.salviasource.org/forum/search.php?search_author=Bobononoll ?  It looks like spam to ME!

And do we REALLY have 738 users?!? or 700 Spambots and 38 users?!

[Paradoxic]

Windows does have lots of viruses and things that attack it, but with a few good programs you are fine. I have never had any viral or spyware problems with my PC. Macs are good and there are less viruses for them, but there is also less software out there for them. The other reason I prefer Windows is because you can put your own PC together and its much less expensive. Mac does have some sweet features, I admit, and in the long run will probably do better than Microsoft.

About Ubuntu, thats awesome. I love to see more and more of these free OS coming out. Have you heard of Solaris? I heard that they made a deal with some computer manufacturer to sell PCs with the OS installed.

Yeah the spammers are still hitting hard as ever, but I'm working on the transfer. Its taking longer because I have to make a new design for the site.

[DrYRHead]

Whatever you all did, I have not found any more SPAM posts here for a few days now.

Oops! I skoke too soon.

[Sea Mac]

I've used Windows, Macintosh, and Linux: but not Solaris or UNIX. I have the greatest respect for them though, their stability and power are legendary!

Check out my ratings on "Brainbench":

 http://www.brainbench.com/transcript.jsp?pid=857047  I Assure you I AM Qualified to expound on Salvia Divinorum OR Computing platforms. 3 and a half years of Salvia experiences and 30 years in Computing.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes: with due diligence you can keep system Invaders on Windows at bay. Or ditch Windows: Parasites, limitations, and all - For FREE.

Oh, and since the last time YOU checked there are tens of thousands of new applications for Macintosh.

If you think there are more applications for Windows than Macintosh than how do you explain this:

Versiontracker lists 6,981 FREE Programs for Windows Systems
http://www.versiontracker.com/windows/freeware

And only 7,793 FREE Programs for Macintosh X Systems
http://www.versiontracker.com/macosx/lt/freeware

Mac has, in fact, in the last year, pulled past Windows: but everyone feels confident in quoting ten year old statistics.

But if you bothered to count them yourself .... Macs have MORE programs and NO Trojans or Spyware or Worms and, if you don't run Microsoft Programs on it, No Viruses either!

I might roll my own Computer System, Someday: But I'll be DAMNED If I'm going to pay MS for an OS to run on it When Ubuntu will ship me an OS Installation CD FOR FREE!

My next Computer Purchase will either be Ubuntu or Mac OS X - NOT Windows!

Did you know DELL Ships Ubuntu on Some of their Computers?

http://www.ubuntu.com/dell  

Smart move for DELL: they are going to save a FORTUNE on Customer Support for THOSE Systems - by not having to FIX them constantly!  Don't be afraid of the best, boys and girls! DELL is a Leader in PCs (SHUDDER: Thought I'd never say that.) - But Macs are better.

Did you say you would like to See more FREE OSes?

LOOK!  http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php?

As I said: I KNOW a little something about Computers!

[Paradoxic]

Yeah I must admit Linux is very cool. I just spent a while browsing through Wikipedia reading a bunch of Linux-related articles. I'm actually thinking about switching, but I need to figure some stuff out first.

Can I build a computer with basically any parts (from say Newegg.com) and install Linux? Will it work reliably or are the only certain kinds of hardware that work well with Linux?

Which of the Linux distributions is best, or do you just have to try them yourself? Which have you used?

Where do you get software for these Linux distributions and how much is available? Say I got Ubuntu, is there only one set of software for it or will the software made for Linux or any other Linux distribution also work for Ubuntu?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[Sea Mac]

Yeah I must admit Linux is very cool. I just spent a while browsing through Wikipedia reading a bunch of Linux-related articles. I'm actually thinking about switching, but I need to figure some stuff out first.

Can I build a computer with basically any parts (from say Newegg.com) and install Linux? Will it work reliably or are the only certain kinds of hardware that work well with Linux?

Which of the Linux distributions is best, or do you just have to try them yourself? Which have you used?

Where do you get software for these Linux distributions and how much is available? Say I got Ubuntu, is there only one set of software for it or will the software made for Linux or any other Linux distribution also work for Ubuntu?

Thanks in advance for the help.

"Can I build a computer with basically any parts (from say Newegg.com) and install Linux? Will it work reliably or are the only certain kinds of hardware that work well with Linux?"

Yes, All Modern LINUX Distros come with Generic Device drivers for all classes of hardware you would typically find on a Modern tower/laptop: as far as I know. That is the beauty of a Live/Install CD Like Ubuntu: You drop it in your CD or DVD player and restart your Computer - it reboots FROM the CD without TOUCHING your Existing installed OS by Creating a RAMDisk and Installing it's KERNAL and then Does a Hardware Detect and Installs generic Drivers for ALL of your Hardware into the RAMDisk also!

Basically you restart from the CD and go away and Make a Sandwich - when you come Back Ubuntu SHOULD be running perfectly fine from a RAMDisk and ALL Of your Hardware is detected and operating! If you have a high speed connection You will be online and can safely surf with FIREFOX2 (that's my browser too). You'll know right away that an install will work on your hardware just as well. When you QUIT Ubuntu it spits out the CD and you boot normally from Windows: Nothing TOUCHES your Existing Windows System so it's perfectly SAFE to pop in the CD and Take the Ubuntu guided Tour: then Restart from the Same CD to try it LIVE!

Use it as a Coaster if you don't like it.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you'll always have the the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need on one CD, which provides a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. A standard installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Once installed your system is immediately ready-to-use. On the desktop you have a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

Ubuntu Desktop Edition

With Ubuntu Desktop Edition you can surf the web, read email, create documents and spreadsheets, edit images and much more. Ubuntu has a fast and easy graphical installer right on the Desktop CD. On a typical computer the installation should take you less than 25 minutes.

Desktop simplicity

When you start your system for the first time you'll see a desktop that is clean and tidy, no desktop icons, and a default theme that is easy on the eye.

 
Ubuntu 'Just Works'

We've done all the hard work for you. Once Ubuntu is installed, all the basics are in place so that your system will be immediately usable.
A complete office productivity suite

OpenOffice contains a user interface and feature set that is similar to other office suites, and includes the all the key desktop applications you need, including:

Word processor - for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book.

Spreadsheet - a tool to calculate, analyse, and present your data in numerical reports or charts.

Presentation - an easy, and powerful tool for creating effective multimedia presentations.


Edit and share files in other formats

Easily open, edit and share files with your friends that have Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, KOffice or StarOffice.
Quick and easy updates

The task bar contains an update area where we'll notify you when there are updates available for your system, from simple security fixes to a complete version upgrade. The update facility enables you to keep your system up-to-date with just a few clicks of your mouse.


A vast library of free software

Need more software? Simply choose from thousands of software packages in the Ubuntu catalogue, all available to download and install at the click of a button. And it's all completely free!

(NOTE: MOST "Debian Packages" and "Gnome applications" install and work JUST FINE on Ubuntu from the "Package Manager" - which seamlessly handles installing/uninstalling any and all Software from tens of thousands of Applications in the Ubuntu online software repositories!)

Help and support

You'll be able to find help using the desktop browser or online. If you have a question about using Ubuntu, you can bet someone else has already asked it. Our community has developed a range of documentation that may contain the answer to your question, or give you ideas about where to look.

This is also where you'll get access to free support from the Ubuntu community in the chat and mailing lists in many languages. Alternatively, you can purchase professional support from the Canonical Global Support Services Team, or local providers.


Ubuntu in your local language

 

Ubuntu aims to be usable by as many people as possible, which is why we include the very best localisation and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.

 
You can download Ubuntu, or request a free CD from Canonical.
System Requirements

Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit and Mac architectures. At least 256 MB of RAM is required to run the desktop install CD. Install requires at least 4 GB of disk space.


_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I Have used Ubuntu/Kbuntu/Edubuntu and Knoppix Live CDs in old dead Computers and I like them all. I have the PPC (OLD Macintosh) Ubuntu CD (Downloaded and Burned it myself) and I LOVE it!

Knoppix: http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html is nice too but I like Ubuntu for it's ease of use!

What software is installed on the KNOPPIX-CD?

The following "Highlights" are available on the download version of this Debian-based (www.debian.org) CD or DVD:

    * Linux-Kernel 2.6.x
    * KDE V3.x as the standard desktop with K Office and the Konqueror WWW-browser konqueror
    * X Multimedia System (xmms) an MPEG-video, MP3, Ogg Vorbis Audio player and xine
    * Internet connection software kppp,pppoeconf (DSL) and isdn-config
    * Gnu Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) Version 2.x
    * utilities for data recovery and system repairs, even for other operating systems
    * network and security analysis tools for network administrators
    * OpenOffice.org, the GPL-developed version of the well-known StarOffice(TM) office suite
    * many programming languages, development tools and libraries for developers
    * in total more than 900 installed software packages with over 2000 executable user programs, utilities, and games

What are the minimum system requirements?

    * Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or later),
    * 32 MB of RAM for text mode, at least 96 MB for graphics mode with KDE (at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended to use the various office products),
    * bootable CD-ROM drive, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI),
    * standard SVGA-compatible graphics card,
    * serial or PS/2 standard mouse or IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.

How is KNOPPIX started?

To start the CD, set up the BIOS of your computer to boot off the CD, put the CD in the drive, and power up the computer. If your computer doesn't support this option, you have to use a boot disk. You can create this disk from the image in KNOPPIX/boot.img on the CD. With the KNOPPIX-terminalserver (available from version 3.2 and later), KNOPPIX can also be booted over the network from a computer already running the CD.

I DO NOT recommend you Install Ubuntu or Knoppix if you do not have a high speed connection!

So, go to the Ubuntu OR Knoppix download page and download the CD .iso image for YOUR current Processors and burn it to a CD.

Then restart with the CD in the CD drive and leave it be! You'll be able to COMPLETELY test drive it on your Hardware and see EXACTLY how hard (Or easy) it will be getting used to it ...

Check out ALL the Applications available in the "Universe Repository"!

You can SEE from the Knoppix System requirements that a 8 year old computer will work OK with it: go get a Pentium 2 with a 50 gig HD and 128 Megs of RAM from the DUMP and Recycle it before you spend a nickel for new Hardware. You'll know if you Like the System feel ...