Thirtyfootscrew’s Blog

I decided to install Drupal on my web server and instead of downloading the install files to my desktop, unzipping them and then uploading them back to the web server (which takes ages over ADSL) I thought I’d have a go at downloading them manually over SSH. In effect SSH is a method of connecting to your Linux web hosting service as though you were actually at a terminal logged in to that machine, in effect you have complete control over your web space with the ability to use the array of commands available to all Linux users. Most web hosting companies offer SSH access on their decent packages and I definitely recommend it as a shortcut for various things such as deleting files, setting permissions and editing config files (yes, I actually like vi).  So, if you’ve got SSH access, how do you use it? First you’ll need to find out the Host Name, Username and Password from your hosting provider, then one of the following – depending on whether you’re a Windows or Mac user…

If you’re on a Mac running OSX you’re in luck, you already have an SSH client to hand, if you go to Applications then double-click on Utilities you get an array of useful applications – be careful here but the one we want is Terminal. Once you’ve launched Terminal type the following: “ssh username@system”, you will then be prompted for your password and you’re in!

If you’re on Windows then get yourself a copy of PuTTY, a small but fantastic little application that’s free for both commercial and non-commercial users.  As an aside, the PSFTP client on offer there is also a great secure FTP client.

Now, if you’re not used to having command-line access to systems and especially if you’ve no Linux skills at all I’d suggest you read some good starter materials and learn more about Linux – messing with the command-line is very dangerous and there is no undo feature!  I may start writing some posts about both the Linux and Windows command-line but in the interim please feel free to ask for advice, just leave a comment on this page and I’ll get an email, alternatively send me a direct message on Twitter.

written by thirtyfootscrew \\ tags: command-line, Drupal, linux, mac, osx, PuTTY, web hosting, windows

Well, after about 4.5 seconds worth of thought I’ve decided to put my words where my mouth is (doesn’t sound right but you know what I mean) and say what I think is gonna go down in 2007, this time in no particular order…
Print Media Feels The Burn
I may be mildly premature with this one, but I can feel it in my bones – the carcinogenic newsprint will hit the fan sometime soon and I think 2007 will be the beginning. I’m sure print media has already had some reaction to the Internet and most of the UK broadsheets have pretty decent websites these days but for certain classes of publications I can foresee a major decline. For instance, I hardly buy gaming magazines these days for two main reasons, (1) the news is usually 3-6 weeks out of date by the time they go to print, (2) the reviews and articles are so full of marketing bullshit and rubbish games regularly get good reviews because the mag got an exclusive demo/interview/shag and finally (3) the demos are all downloadable now so why bother paying for them? I’m absolutely sure that those points apply to most monthly tech magazines and one other ‘primary factor’ in the decline is that newspapers / magazines are full of writers who write about things they barely understand. Have you read any ‘generic press’ articles about IT, gaming or technology lately? If you’re really interested in something (anything) then you’ll probably find a decent, articulate and well-informed blog / forum / news site on the web that’s 100 times better than some pokey journo trying to meet a deadline.

Nintendo Kick Ass
With the recent launch of the Wii and the massive public interest coming from traditional non-gamers I really think Nintendo are onto a winner (see: I Love My Wii) and Sony have still not really got their act together. I’m still not ready to predict final winner in the battle but by the end of 2007 I would not be surprised if Nintendo are on top.

Watching The Computer
People are going to spend much more time in 2007 pointing their LCD-hungry faces at computers this year than ever before. This includes consoles, high-def video players, IPTV, mobile TV as well as the traditional fare such as YouTube, Google Video and the web.

The Corporate World
After some relative calm I can see things turning bad for a major tech company this year, obvious choices would be people losing their identity such as AOL or Sun but perhaps it won’t be such a good year for people like Dell or Yahoo. I predict that a few more social networking sites will be acquired by media companies this year, possibly bebo or facebook – also predict it won’t do them much good.

Operating Systems
Last year started the war of next-generation consoles, 2007 sees the war between next-generation operating systems. With the release of WIndows Vista and later in the year Leopard (Mac OS 10.5) this does look like an interesting year, I also foresee more manufacturers offering pre-installed (or embedded) Linux than they have in the past. As for the outcome, obviously Vista will win but I’m even more sure that it will be plagued with bugs and security issues throughout the year. I do however still think that Apple will notch-up their market share somewhat in 2007 – from people holding out for Leopard and people who just want something solid, dependable and easy to use and have been slowly wooed by the iPod.

Well, that’s the lot – I wish my predictive mental offspring well as they try and navigate the great wide world, and if you should meet one whilst you’re traveling through 2007 please stop and say hello.

written by thirtyfootscrew \\ tags: aol, Apple, bebo, dell, facebook, journo, nintendo, prediction, print media, sun, vista, wii, windows, yahoo