A whole linux distro, Slackware based I believe, to train you in the dark arts. This distro is deliberately insecure, containing out of date packages, mis-configured apps, and loads of training material. It comes as a live dvd download, so you can run it up as and when you want to practice your skills.

via Damn Vulnerable Linux.

Will be interesting to check it out.

I’ve been using openSUSE for quite some time now, but this is definitely the first time that I’ve noticed this ( though probably because I tend to use zypper or the 1-click install rather than entering YaST).

Edit:
Output of zypper lr -u
http://pastebin.com/awfeBeLP

Output of zypper se -s -i -t pattern
http://pastebin.com/DJc8HsLG

Output of zypper sl -d
http://pastebin.com/LxLREddG

Edit 2: Andreas Jaegar comments on the above:

Found it: The pattern is part of Mono Community pattern. As these ymp-patterns have no category, the software manager picks a pretty much random order. And it happens to be under proprietary software in this case.

digiKam supports watermarking, this feature is hidden so well that you might not even realize that it’s there. This is because the watermarking function in digiKam is tucked under the Batch Queue Manager tool which you can use to watermark multiple photos in one go. Here is how this works in practice. Choose Tools | Batch Queue Manager (or press the B key) to open the Batch Queue Manager tool. Drag the photos you want to watermark from a digiKam album onto the Queues pane to add them to the current queue. Click on the Base Tools tab in the Batch Tools Available pane and double-click on the Add Watermark tool to add it to the Assigned Tools pane.

via Watermark Photos with digiKam « Scribbles and Snaps.

Neat!

Top 10 Totally Amazing Wallpapers Made Using Inkscape

Amazing stuff.

via Top 10 Totally Amazing Wallpapers Made Using Inkscape | Tech Drive-in.

Mixxx is described as a complete package for amateur and professional DJs alike, providing everything you need to create and perform live mixes. It can run without connecting turntables and mixers, which makes it a replacement for traditional DJ setup. For professionals, it supports advanced features like comprehensive MIDI controller support, vinyl control, and multi-core CPU support.

via Virtual DJ Software for Linux: Mixxx | TechSource.

Seems nice. Packages are available only for Ubuntu, though.

1: The pager

I am always shocked at how few people actually use the Linux pager. It’s been around forever and has always served the same functionality — it offers the user multiple desktops to keep the desktop better organized. I employ the pager like this: With four workspaces, I dedicate each workspace to a different use. My layout looks like this:

* Desktop 1 is for networking tools.

* Desktop 2 is for writing/office tools.

* Desktop 3 is for graphics or video.

* Desktop 4 is for miscellaneous items.

This layout pretty much covers it for me. I’m sure you could find a four-desktop scheme that would better suit your needs.

via Five tips for a more efficient Linux desktop | Five Tips | TechRepublic.com.

More or less my pager usage too.

openSUSE India IRC Channel LIVE !

This is to notify all Lizards (openSUSE Lovers) that the openSUSE India Channel on IRC Freenode–> #opensuse-in , is now Live and registered . So if you have something to ask, share or want to spend some time with openSUSE Indian users , do visit

A quickie:

I wanted to change the default application from Banshee/Totem for my media files to VLC ( since I didn’t have proprietary codecs installed, and VLC does). Searched all of YaST/Settings and couldn’t find where to change the default application.

[...]

Pardon me, but I don’t find it “all kinds of sexy”. More details.

Forum post @ Unreal IRCD

We found out that the Unreal3.2.8.1.tar.gz file on our mirrors has been replaced quite a while ago with a version with a backdoor (trojan) in it.
This backdoor allows a person to execute ANY command with the privileges of the user running the ircd. The backdoor can be executed regardless of any user
restrictions (so even if you have passworded server or hub that doesn’t allow any users in).

It appears the replacement of the .tar.gz occurred in November 2009 (at least on some mirrors). It seems nobody noticed it until now.

Not good.