[PLUG] [CTCNet Phl] Tech question: Internet routers (fwd)

["Gregson Helledy" <gregsonh@gra-inc.com>]

I've been using Mandrake's Single Network Firewall distro at home for
about 18 months.  The product as delivered on the .iso needs work; in
fact, it does not work at all without editing at least one config file.

However, over time, and with the help of this mailing list and
newsgroups, I have gotten it to be an excellent dialin gateway/firewall.
Since security on a dialup line for a home network isn't my #1 priority,
I've also enhanced it by adding samba and cups, so I now have a 
fileserver and printserver.   I also added webmin but don't use it much.


It's got a web-based configuration tool, is supposed to work with
DSL, and is very stable.  Mandrake doesn't sell the firewall anymore.  
They wanted $100 for it,
which would have been reasonable for an organization if they'd just
devoted a TINY bit more effort to squash bugs before shipping.  I sent
them $40 for the .iso download, which I thought was fair for a home user.

*Would it be appropriate, legally/ethically and from a practical view, to
try to create an image of my machine's drive, edit out my personal info,
and burn it to an .iso?

Greg


-----------------------------------------------
Greetings, 

   This was sent to me as I am on the CTCNet (local Community Technology
Centers) mailing list for the local area.. (there are national lists
too) I am inclined to recommend old boxes with some sort of linux or
bsd(open?) preconfigured distro specifically for doing so.. however, I
don't really have the expertise, and the linux router project has
basically died. (www.linuxrouter.org)  What other distros or projects are
there? preferrably something simple, easy to use yet secure, stable. 

If anybody would be interested in volunteering to help people figure this
out, or get them up and running.. I am sure it would be much appreciated.. 
I have on many an occasion spoken to some of the local tech & computer
reuse nonprofit organizations, and they are very interested in linux &
open source.. but they don't have the expertise.  

This is a VERY GOOD opportunity to get Tux's (or the Daemon's) foot in the
door of a lot of organizations! (Not to mention put a lot of old 486s to
good use!)

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