Source Guru

For those of you who don’t know, I occasionally write for Linux Format. As I’ve got an article coming out in the next issue (available on April 29th), I thought I’d have a check to see if the PDF’s are available in the subscribers area yet.

Unfortunately, they’re not, however, I did notice that my first article for Linux Format has now been released to the general public.

If you head on over to Issue 121, you’ll find my tutorial “Security: Protect your server” has a “Click here to read!” link underneath it.

One of my other articles for them, “Super Snooper”, has also found it’s way onto TuxRadar, and, while it doesn’t have the pretty artwork (or a mugshot, or any mention of me, it seems!) that the magazine does, it’s still well presented on the site!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve any feedback to either of them!

Along the same lines, I’m thinking that I want to write a book (mainly so that I’ll eventually come first in Google, rather than what used to be second and now for some reason seems 7th ). But what should I write about? I’ve a few thoughts, and the one that I feel like I want to write the most is about “becoming a Google Ninja” (using Analytics, Website Optimiser, etc etc to their full potential) – but – I don’t know – would people be interested in buying that?

For all those who can, I’d urge you to pick up a copy of Linux Format tomorrow.

A couple of months ago, I pitched an article to the editor of Linux Format and it was accepted. Tomorrow, the magazine will be on the shelf. While I’ve already seen the PDF for the article, I’m going to be up early to make sure I can get my hands on the physical copy. For some reason, it won’t seem real until I can run the paper through my fingers and smell the ink.

Here’s a sneak preview:-

Way back in the early days of dial-up, the internet mostly contained library catalogues, military secrets, and students’ Dungeons and Dragons spec sheets.  Now there are websites for people, their pets, their friends and family, and their businesses.  However, while most people are happy to use a free hosting provider, or to pay a company to host their websites for them, the more dedicated web master tends to plump up for a dedicated server, or a Virtual Private Server (VPS).

Running your own server means that you have to be aware of the multitude of potential security issues you’re exposed to on the internet, though.  These days, most home computers have a firewall in place, or connect through a router that can protect them from the dangers lurking on the web.  If you own a server, you’ll still need a firewall, but there’s much more you can do to be safe online and we’ll show you how.

I hope that anyone who reads the article in full will find it useful, and please, do send me feedback if you’ve read it!

The big question now is, what do I pitch for my next article?