> > This is a good idea, but I want to point out that you can do the same thing > using either a 'dd' command, or the 'wipe' command. Either of these can be > run from a live CD or DVD, such as the Ubuntu install disk, or from Knoppix. >
I ended up booting from the Ubuntu install disk and running `shred -vfz -n 1 /dev/sda`; filling it with zeros. I'm not so concerned with privacy, but if you were, you could set `n` to a much higher value to make more passes of randomness before finally filling with zeros. My swap space was indeed being used from time to time (with more than 1 web browser open, image manipulation, etc). So I guess my Ubuntu box needs more memory these days than it used to (I have 512mb). I installed Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, which I like much better than 10.10 anyway. However, one thing I really dislike about it is that is does package indexing as a cron job, sucking up almost all my resources for several minutes at a time... Arggggg. `sudo apt-get purge apt-xapian-index` took care of that problem. I don't use any GUI package management tools, so this is no loss for me. I'm still looking for a way to disable desktop search functionality (tracker I think). Maybe it's not even indexing until I actually use it? Overall, everything seems to have reached a level of performance I haven't enjoyed on this machine in a long time. If it stays that way as the disk continues to get used I'll be really happy. With some more memory (and maybe a new HDD) this machine should live through several more updates. Thanks for all the advice. _______________________________________________ Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group http://mhvlug.org http://mhvlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mhvlug Upcoming Meetings (6pm - 8pm) MHVLS Auditorium Jan 5 - Building a Community Site with Drupal Feb 2 - Zimbra Mar 2 - MHVLUG 8th Anniversary - Show and Tell
