Friday Hacker Blogging: The History Of Unix and Linux

History Of Unix

Front Page Linux posted an interesting and well written article about the history of Unix and Linux. Definitely worth your attention if you are into computer science.

For this special history guide, we are going to take a trip back in time to see where the seed of Linux was planted — namely via the Unix systems of the early 1970s and how it has progressed through the modern day. Though most are completely unaware of the enormous impact that Unix-like operating systems have planted on our society, understanding its storied history can allow us to realize why the Unix model has lived on far longer and become more successful than any other operating system architecture (and philosophy) in existence.

In fact, the estimated 5 billion people in the world (more than half the population) to own a mobile phone have been using Unix-based operating systems, knowingly or not, since the “smart” phone hit the consumer shelves in the late 2000s. From the Linux-based Android platform to the BSD-flavored iOS, Unix has stolen the massive mobile market along with the majority of other systems in existence. In fact, if you look at the operating system on just about any device besides the desktop PC, it is more likely than not that it runs some form or derivative of Unix.

So, how did an operating system written to port a game from one machine to another gain so much prominence in our world today when it was first conceived and implemented over sixty years ago? Well, our journey begins at AT&T’s famous Bell Laboratory with two unlikely heroes that helped kick off the modern technological age. Strap in and grab some popcorn, this is going to be a wild ride!

Read about the history of Unix at Front Page Linux. You can also use this post to discuss about whatever (photographic) topic you wish.

Friday Hacker Blogging: How To Watch Star Wars In Linux Terminal (and update on Canon hacker attack)

Star Wars In Lunux

For the Friday Hacker blogging series here is something that’s as fun as it is useless, but it will appeal to all those hardcore Star Wars fans.

You can watch Star Wars in Linux terminal (not just Linux, every *nix flavor will likely work). We are not talking about a digitally remastered version here, no high res graphics or else. In fact there are no graphics in a modern meaning. All you have to do is to enter the following command in your terminal:

telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl 

You can stop the “movie” with ctrl-j, and then type quite to exit.

Should you not have telnet on your system you can easily install it. For instance on Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt install telnet

Here are two screenshots.

Ready for Star Wars in Linux terminal?

Canon Ransomware Attack

Here is also an update on the ransomware attack against Canon. See here for an update or if you don’t know what a ransomware attack is. The Maze ransomware gang updated their leak site and now it states that “0.2%” of Canon data was published. Previously it was 5%. We do not know yet what exactly that means. Also, we obtained a copy of the leaked Canon data and can confirm it does not contain sensible sensitive or otherwise critical information.

Screenshot from the Maze leaks site

You can use the Friday Hacker Blogging post to discuss whatever topic you want. Please be respectful and polite.