Category Archives: Cool Stuff

As some people know, one of the many hats I wear on the job is security. That being the case, I figured I should learn SELinux.

Turns out, Easier said than done. If your doing anything unusual (What are the odds in my case?) you need to make Policies and ensure that the programs are the proper file context with the proper access. Think of a default deny firewall and you'll see the issue. Nothing is allowed unless permission is explicitly given. Fedora comes with a lot of default policies, but for unusual web server CGI scripts, chances are you need to write a policy for it. 

1st problem: I don't have the proper package to create policies and install them. A little research and I find I need "selinux-policy-devel". 

$ yum install selinux-policy-devel

2nd Problem: While I'm familiar with Type Enforcement, I have no idea what rights to give each application. The only way I know of finding out what rights each app needs is to run it, and see what audit errors pop up in the log.

3rd problem: I'm not used to the syntax of the policy files, or the various types and classes that I need to use to grant the exact access I need. 

After a few hours work: I mostly configured ONE application. This is going to be a long project…

Music I'm listening to right Now:
"Midnight Show" by The Killers from the "Hot Fuss"

It’s that time of year again to do yard work. This year, I’m trying something a little different. The photo to the right show blue green stuff all over my yard. That’s “Scotts® PatchMaster® Sun & Shade Mix” which is Grass seed with fertilizer and recycled paper as a mulch. It’s a simple idea: Any places that need patching, rake the dirt, put this down on it and watter for a few weeks.

In actuality, It’s a lot of work. My backyard lawn is better than last year, but that’s not saying too much. Since the Mrs. and I like to occasionally entertain with a BBQ, I figured I better do something about it. The Patch mix has to be watered every day for at least a couple of weeks in order to get it to take. When the grass is thick enough, the paper should be absorbed into the ground.

In the mean time. it looks really weird…

I’ve also planted vegetables again. This year:

• 9 broccoli plants
• 2 sweet basil plants
• 2 Greek oregano plants
• 1 cherry tomato plant
• 2 rows of Mesclun mixed salad
• 1 row of regular lettuce
• 1 Strawberry plant

Should be good when done. This photo is just opposite the one above.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Counting The Days” by Collective Soul from the “Youth” Album.

When someone you last saw as a little girl years ago is now a pretty young lady.

It seemed like only yesterday that I helped her father build a swing set in their backyard, and now she's a college student and an actress guest staring on two different prime time television shows.

I went to college with her aunt (who was at my wedding) and have known that entire family for a long time. Recently, we got a Christmas card from them and I called them up to see how they are all doing. It was really nice to catch up after all this time and we'll all have dinner  in a couple  of weeks.

Off hand, 2007 is starting right. 

Music I'm listening to right Now:
"The Birthday Song" by Corrinne May from the "Safe in a Crazy World" Album. 

Image of a swing set from Rusticwoodland.