New syslog-protocol draft published

We are now in it’s 13th round. I’ve just done some minor changes to syslog-protocol and published it as a new new internet draft. Hopefully, syslog-protocol-13 will finally find acceptance. The good thing is that I had only very few comments on the last draft, and it looks like we are really nearing completion. Let’s hope for the best and see what the next days will bring…

Hehe, I am really a lazy guy. After some month (ummm, years) I begin to try blogging again. Now I am back at blogspot, it’s some what easier to keep track. Let’s see how far I will come.

Hi,

just started and already switching. You know, names are important to people. I would have liked the alias “syslog” – unavailable here. Guess what? I found it there:

JoeUser.com: blogs from the average joe

See you there, I’ll probably not post here any more (even though the google toolbar makes it sooooooooooo easy ;)).

As I am talking about syslog, I thought I leave a pointer to the ultimate reference – the IETF working goup standardizing it

IETF Syslog Working Group Home Page

Join the discussion whenever you are ready (there could be a bit more discussion going on right now…)

OK, everybody seems to be bloging now. So I thought I give it a try. Actually, I do not know what I will actually be blogging… and if so in the future. I am kind of paranoid, so don’t expect too much personal ;). My main professional interest is in the infosec security and syslog is one of my main obsessions ;) Let’s see how (if) this evolves…

A Rant after the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident

This is actually from an exchange with a friend somewhat involved in space exploration. It was shortly after the Columbia accident and we were ranting about all those folks that know everything better… I think it is worth to be reproduced as it explains quite some of my base motivations.

I think it is not really important if you are in this or that field [of space exploration]. Of course, if you know people in there and the procedures, things may be even more terrible. But I honestly think it is more an issue of what you believe in.

I have grow up with the quest for space and I have grown up with increasing  complex technology entering more and more into our everyday life. I have  seen those early and exotic “satellite broadcasts”. I have seen computers to come out of the data centers and enter the homes. I have seen international  communication becoming main stream. I even read today that it is just the 75th anniversary of the connection of the German and US telephone systems. 75 years ago, they had – on average – 3 calls from Germany to the US per *day* (each one billed @ roughly 160$ per 3 minutes…)!

I have seen the Hubble images. I have seen the world shrinking. I actually have seen the world. I mean really seen – that blue planet. I have been called a  dreamer some 20 years ago when I told my friends that I wanted and believe to be able to freely and quickly communicate with friends all over the world. I have seen all these idiot articles on space exploration not paying off. I know these articles were transmitted via satellite and probably had been printed with the help of some technology originally developed for space.

I see the explosion of knowledge and wealth all over the world (and I really mean all, although some people tend to deny this). I have to admit I always loved to watch Star Trek and I have to admit I have imagined if all or part of it could become a reality in a distant future. I even have seen some of this to influence the design of actual and useful products we use today.

I really believe that technology is our future. I believe in the “If we can dream it, we can do it” slogan. Hell, I have seen so many changes in my lifespan. And fortunately I can hope to expect some more years. Some few years ago I wondered how it was for my grandma to see all this rapid change happening in their time. Know what – we have by far beaten them already… I see young kids  logging on to computers and watching shuttle starts and space pictures and … I have noticed how normal it is for them to use a PC – to have all this technology available. I see the fascination in their eyes when they watches they NASA movies. I know they will wonder how we ever could exist without the Internet and space technology.

Yes, I do believe in technology. I am more than grateful for those that risk their lives while pushing us forward – as the astronauts do. I am ashamed that they are only brought onto the front page if things go really worse. And: I am deeply depressed to learn that technology has failed here. I really, really believe that technology will solve our problems. I am depressed that we overlooked a fatal detail (as it looks right now). I am depressed that those poor astronauts became heroes because they died – and not because the took the challenge.

But know what – I am not ready to surrender! Although I am depressed, I am sure we can move forward and we will move forward. I am sure the best thing we can do in the spirit of those died is to carry on the challenge. Take on new risks. Push the border further. I have to admit I am not the hero who would actually do this (even if I had the qualification, which for sure I do not have). Hell, if I look at the text I have written, I have to say it is me who is upset. I don’t even know with whom – but that doesn’t matter…