Baslinux mailing list

[baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org]

On Wed, Jun 27, 2007 at 02:01:35PM +0000, Sindi wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Jun 2007, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
> 
> Would VNC installed on a Windows desktop and a linux laptop allow the 
> linux laptop to run programs on the desktop?  It seems to be something 
> that uses a web browser with Java support to access the desktop and do 
> file transfers.  You could already do that with fttpd on the laptop.

VNC (and tightVNC) allow one to use a Windows desktop from a Linux machine, 
yes. Screen rendering was fairly awful when 
I tried it (poor screen refresh), but I was able to do some things on a 
Windows desktop using it. I don't think java is 
used. They say tightVNC works better, plus it provides encryption. FreeNX is 
all the rave now, but that is really new 
and probably could not be compiled for BL. It's supposed to be far better 
than VNC/tightVNC.

> Is there any danger in using any wireless card for just browsing at 
> the public library via their fast connection?  Should I avoid connecting 
> to my sdf account via wireless?  I think the library uses some sort of 
> encryption, but do I need to set it up on my computer?

I wouldn't use anything that requires inputting any username/password info on 
that type of connection. The information 
can be intercepted by anyone within range and, if it's not encrypted, can be 
easily read. I think public networks are 
unencrypted by default. And yes, to use an encrypted network, you have to set 
up your wifi card. I think WPA_supplicant 
is the Linux WPA utility. I've never used it, so I can't tell you how it 
works. WEP keys can be entered using iwconfig 
but, as I said in another thread, WEP is not much better than no encryption 
at all.

James

PS Caveat: I'm very new to wireless security, so you'll want to double-check 
for yourself on these things.