[KLUG Members] Term papers... yuck

[Alan DeJong]

Adam Williams wrote:

> >Alan, check out how many research organizations are building supercomputers
> >using linux...  check out the
> >( http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/ ) the Beowulf Cluster
> >article... see also http://www.hpl.hp.com/techreports/2001/HPL-2001-206.html
> >check out www.top500.org and
> >have fun!
> >>Well, its that time of the year already where the teachers have us
> >>slaving away over our books, or as it is now, our computer screens.
> >>And what does that mean? Term paper time.
> >>This time I have chosen to do mine on linux.  Hence this message.  I am
> >>just looking for ideas on what to research.  I have a few ideas, but i
> >>am open to more.  I am looking for broad topics.  A topic I am
>
> But broad topics can not be dealt with fairly within the scope of your
> average term paper (less than 20 pages).

Right, broad wasnt the best word to use.

> Term papers are not merely
> assignments,  they are opportunities.  Use it to gain an understanding of
> something you need to understand,  or think you will need to understand in
> the future.

Same thing my teacher said... point taken :)

>  Writing a paper (or preparing a presentation) is a great way
> to test your understanding of a topic and force your squishy bio-computer
> to properly organize the concepts it has in it's possession.  This
> requires a deep focus on a narrow subject.
>
> >>researching now is security.  I am just looking for a few more ideas,
>
> How about how buffer overflows come to pass?  Attacks on the network
> stacks (SYN floods, etc...)?  Or weaknessess of the UNIX, or Windows
> NT, authentication models?
>

Exactly what i was looking for.  Topics like that.  I am a novice Linux user,
mostly at school on my laptop, but i want to learn more!!!

>
> >>and perhaps where I could find the information.
>
> The internet? ;)
>

Okay... i asked for that one..

>
> >>I figured I would ask the experts on what hot topics regarding linux i
> >>could do a section of my paper on.
>
> For what is hot now?  Component based software developement. The concepts
> behind usability. Inter-process communication (CORBA, XMLRPC, Messaging,
> RPC) is always hot. XML (a broad/narrow topic if ever there was one).  IPC
> *IS* a security related topic.
>
> If you can,  make your term-paper deep enough to be worth posting on the
> Internet somewhere (spread your name around),  to present to KLUG or other
> organizations, etc....  By doing so you ***WILL*** reap benefits beyond
> the walls of the classroom.  It may not seem like it,  but years later
> some guy will say (or e-mail you) 'Hey, aren't you the guy who wrote the
> shtick on XYZ,  you wouldn't happen to be "looking for"/"in the need
> of"/"interested in".....'
>
> All ceritifacations, degrees, and other fluff aside, your name (and
> associated reputation) is the greatest asset you have.
>
> I'm only preaching because I wish someone had pounded that into my head
> along time ago.

Please, preach on!  I am all ears when it comes to something like that.  :)
Thanks for your input!
-Alan