Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
** alan c [2009-02-04 19:27]: > Paul Tansom wrote: > > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but > > a valid question none the less. > > > > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > > > > Maybe I'm just thinking too much (and not too clearly) as I try to > > reintegrate myself into the real world to some extent! > > I had also wondered about such things. Outside of my in-house family, > who are non techie, the other wider family members continue to use > stuff from the dark side. This means that although the day to day > stuff here would continue to work, including email, my significant > other would need professional or trusted help for any initial admin > decisions at all, even, in principle, which machines contained just > hobby stuff (what do you mean 'just!'?) and could be ignored, and > what the various machines contained etc. > > I had wondered maybe that as time goes on, a local lug could be > considered as a point of contact? > > In the event, *I* will be ok won't I? I am sure they do not use > Windows where I am hoping to go. > :-) ** end quote [alan c] Can't quite believe how long it is since I posted the original in this thread. There has been a lot going on keeping me away from work, mailing lists, irc, computers in general, etc., etc.. I'm nearly ready to start preparing to start 2009 now!! Anyway, thanks for the replies. There was a certain amount of heading down the route of how to destroy data, which wasn't what I had in mind personally, but would be a consideration for some. My concern was leaving access to existing facilities (documents, mail, web, etc.) and allowing this to continue. In which case perhaps a specific set of documentation is called for. Something along the lines of how to migrate to a smaller scale, simpler system (I doubt the complexity of what I have currently - or will have following imminent upgrades - will be required), possibly along with a basic handbook on how to keep things running in the short term and a sealed envelope with usernames and passwords in (or similar, and kept up to date!!). In any case, my wife seems to think she'd just scrap the lot and abandon email and the internet - can't see that working to be honest!! Hopefully this will all be far enough off that the kids will be able to take over the system administration :) -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 == Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Crawford House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6NU -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Phillip Chandler wrote: >> Is there a way of writing some sort of script, combined with a user >>> account, that when/if you were to log on with this specific account, the >>> script would start with admin rights and wipe your HDD's ? Testing such a script properly would be difficult... >> What do some of you guys have on your HDD's that you want so much to >> wipe...! >> -- >> alan cocks >> Ubuntu user #10391 >> Linux user #360648 >> > I feel one of those "Moral of the story is" type emails coming on. This > will be slightly off topic but the end is relative. > > I had a PC from the Newbury Freecycle, which I installed Ubuntu on, and > then passed on. I'm sorry to hear that you've passed on. :) cheers Chris -- Chris Dennis cgden...@btinternet.com Fordingbridge, Hampshire, UK -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone? - Solved?
alan c wrote: > Paul Tansom wrote: >> OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but >> a valid question none the less. >> >> For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who >> don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the >> contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking >> so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, >> printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not >> wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do >> with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? >> ... The answer may be simpler than you think. Just encrypt all the data with something like cryptsetup/LUKS, and unlock it every time you boot with a keyboard interactive passphrase. If you're not there (or worse) then the data's garbage. To get all 'techie' try setting up your favourite Linux distro on a low power/embedded PC such as a PC Engines/Alix board with a compact flash card (like I have). Have it automatically unlock the encrypted partitions remotely via SSH/sudo without any user intervention. If someone steals the server then the data auto-magically becomes garbage. Place this 'key server' in a safe place away from the encrypted disk server where no one but you and trusted others know about it. Since the Alix boards can run of a sort of Power over Ethernet you can even hide the 'key server' in the loft or bury it in a water resistant safe under your foundations with just the cat5 cable coming out the floor and into your server. That way the server only works in your house/office/VPN ;-) Simon C -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
On Wed, 4 Feb 2009 20:34:04 + Steve Kemp wrote: > Indeed my home PC I think I'd be happy for it to rot. > > But I run services for other people and it'd be a shame for them > to cease. In practise most things I manage, including my company, > would tick over without any manual intervention - but after a while > things like SSL certificates and domain registrations would lapse. Me too, I have nothing apart from photos on my home system that I'd be concerned about but I do have a website hosted at Bitfolk with a genealogy database of some 60,000 people that I'd hope could be taken over by someone interested in the contents and willing to keep it alive for the benefit of the hundreds of people who currently access it. So things like taking over the domain name and the website hosting do really need to be covered in my will or whatever as my wife, assuming she survives me, wouldn't have a clue how to sort it out. -- John Lewis using Debian Sid with windowmaker for a nicer desktop -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
On Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 19:49:05 +, Phillip Chandler wrote: > A) - Being morbid. When your gone, your families going to be worrying > about other stuff. Some of you have mentioned that your wifes arnt > technical. So my thinking is would they just give the machines away ? > Rather than have the added worry of getting the HDD's wiped ? Indeed my home PC I think I'd be happy for it to rot. But I run services for other people and it'd be a shame for them to cease. In practise most things I manage, including my company, would tick over without any manual intervention - but after a while things like SSL certificates and domain registrations would lapse. So there are things that I need to manage, but family photos, personal emails, contacts, and logins to websites wouldn't be anything I'd dwell on particularly.. Steve -- Managed Anti-Spam Service http://mail-scanning.com/ -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
> Is there a way of writing some sort of script, combined with a user > > account, that when/if you were to log on with this specific account, the > > script would start with admin rights and wipe your HDD's ? > > What do some of you guys have on your HDD's that you want so much to > wipe...! > -- > alan cocks > Ubuntu user #10391 > Linux user #360648 > I feel one of those "Moral of the story is" type emails coming on. This will be slightly off topic but the end is relative. I had a PC from the Newbury Freecycle, which I installed Ubuntu on, and then passed on. When I got the PC home I booted up, 800mhz PC running Win98. Unfortunately the HDD still had important docs from Aug last year, plus a nice collection of holiday pics of the couples three children etc, etc, and Outlook Express still had all their emails. Being honest I didnt look at the docs, I saw the names and decided against being nosey, for once in my life. The HDD was taken out and returned to the couple within 20 mins of picking up the machine. This is the problem when you dont know these things, like being told that you need to wipe/format HDD's when you pass machines on to strangers. The moral of the story here is : A) - Being morbid. When your gone, your families going to be worrying about other stuff. Some of you have mentioned that your wifes arnt technical. So my thinking is would they just give the machines away ? Rather than have the added worry of getting the HDD's wiped ? B) - Ive got important documents on my machine. Id rather have something there that would auto wipe the HDD's as easily as logging in. Better to do this than assuming someone will do it after your gone. Its a lot less painfull, less worry, unless the machines are going to family in which case Im over doing the plot, but my partner isnt technical, she can handle switching on, and going to google & check emails, but thats about her level of computer use. She even bugs the crap outta me about whether the machine has been switched off properly. So my partner would probably give my PC's away to the first person who asked for them, purely because she wouldnt have the savvy on how to wipe HDD's even if I printed out a "Howto" with pictures. She has different priorities to me. So the moral of the story is that to save a lot of worry and time, wouldnt it be easier to have the script to auto wipe, then have the machines handed to family, friends, strangers etc ? So at least we would go knowing that the HDD's had been taken care of the easiest route. So Im afraid your all going to be disappointed, no hidden agenda in this corner. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Phillip Chandler wrote: > On Wed, 2009-02-04 at 18:36 +, Sean Gibbins wrote: >> Paul Tansom wrote: >> > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but >> > a valid question none the less. >> > >> > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who >> > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the >> > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking >> > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, >> > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not >> > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do >> > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? >> > > > Is there a way of writing some sort of script, combined with a user > account, that when/if you were to log on with this specific account, the > script would start with admin rights and wipe your HDD's ? What do some of you guys have on your HDD's that you want so much to wipe...! -- alan cocks Ubuntu user #10391 Linux user #360648 -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Paul Tansom wrote: > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but > a valid question none the less. > > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > > Maybe I'm just thinking too much (and not too clearly) as I try to > reintegrate myself into the real world to some extent! I had also wondered about such things. Outside of my in-house family, who are non techie, the other wider family members continue to use stuff from the dark side. This means that although the day to day stuff here would continue to work, including email, my significant other would need professional or trusted help for any initial admin decisions at all, even, in principle, which machines contained just hobby stuff (what do you mean 'just!'?) and could be ignored, and what the various machines contained etc. I had wondered maybe that as time goes on, a local lug could be considered as a point of contact? In the event, *I* will be ok won't I? I am sure they do not use Windows where I am hoping to go. :-) -- alan cocks Ubuntu user #10391 Linux user #360648 -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
On Wed, 2009-02-04 at 18:36 +, Sean Gibbins wrote: > Paul Tansom wrote: > > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but > > a valid question none the less. > > > > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > > Is there a way of writing some sort of script, combined with a user account, that when/if you were to log on with this specific account, the script would start with admin rights and wipe your HDD's ? Im just thinking that we dont know when we're going to go, so have a letter kept with your solicitor / will etc with the specific user account login details. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Hugo Mills wrote: > On Wed, Feb 04, 2009 at 06:36:31PM +, Sean Gibbins wrote: > >> Immediate family will get fist choice on all the hifi and techie stuff, >> > >They have to fight over it? Ok, so it /was/ a typo, but I like your thinking and that's going in the final will now! :-) Sean -- The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact mathematical design, but what's missing is the eyebrows. Frank Zappa -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
On Wed, Feb 04, 2009 at 06:36:31PM +, Sean Gibbins wrote: > Immediate family will get fist choice on all the hifi and techie stuff, They have to fight over it? Hugo. -- === Hugo Mills: h...@... carfax.org.uk | darksatanic.net | lug.org.uk === PGP key: 515C238D from wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net or http://www.carfax.org.uk --- In event of Last Trump, please form an orderly queue --- and await judgement. signature.asc Description: Digital signature -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Paul Tansom wrote: > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but > a valid question none the less. > > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > It's in my will that my computers, books and records will all be built into a huge pyre, all soaked with petrol and with me on top: never mind the toxins and the stench, I'm going out in a ball of fire! I asked the missus if she'd throw herself on too, but she was having none of it... ;-) Actually, and for reasons unknown, the same thing occurred to me recently. I think I will make provision for a mate to wipe all the disks on the sever and my desktop and then they can make their own way with regard to email and that sort of thing going forward. The kids are fairly bright and should be able steer my non-technical wife in the right direction. Immediate family will get fist choice on all the hifi and techie stuff, my mates can pick over the music and books, with the remainder going on ebay. Sean -- The computer can't tell you the emotional story. It can give you the exact mathematical design, but what's missing is the eyebrows. Frank Zappa -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
2009/2/4 Paul Tansom : > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > I have pondered this myself and discussed with (techy) friends in the past. Perhaps a centralised repository between a bunch of _good_ friends with your essential system data in a file which is GPG encrypted. Give the other half the key when you die / in your will / with your solicitor. They can then contact the group, unlock the file and get the information. An extra possibility would be (if you trust those friends) that you could nominate one or more of those friends to actually assist the non-techy bereaved with help getting access to the data. Cheers, Al. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] When I'm gone?
Paul Tansom said the following on 04/02/09 16:31: > OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but > a valid question none the less. > > For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who > don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the > contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking > so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, > printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not > wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do > with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? > > Maybe I'm just thinking too much (and not too clearly) as I try to > reintegrate myself into the real world to some extent! > > My other half knows the password set that I have a tendency to use and I usually let her know as it evolves. I'd like to think that in the event of my untimely death she won't be to concerned with root access :) Besides, if she's none technical and knows that the system was only for your use, surely she'd just hit the off switch? It would be more worthwhile keeping a list of important folders to copy to a DVD should she switch to another OS that is more suitable to non techies? Maybe create IfYoureExecutingThisThenIMustBeDead.sh to do it all for her? -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
[Hampshire] When I'm gone?
OK, somewhat prompted by my current state of mind and recent events, but a valid question none the less. For those that have non-technical other halves, relatives or etc. who don't know other techies, what, if anything, have you in place for the contingency of not being there to support your systems? I'm not thinking so much a desktop system, but if you have a server handling mail, printing, file sharing, etc. that would likely be over kill or not wanted without yourself to support it, do you have details of what to do with it and/or an envelope with passwords put to one side? Maybe I'm just thinking too much (and not too clearly) as I try to reintegrate myself into the real world to some extent! -- Paul Tansom | Aptanet Ltd. | http://www.aptanet.com/ | 023 9238 0001 == Registered in England | Company No: 4905028 | Registered Office: Crawford House, Hambledon Road, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hants, PO7 6NU -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
