diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | account.mdwn | 9 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | index.mdwn | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | internet.mdwn | 6 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | intro.mdwn | 34 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | mail.mdwn | 5 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | mail/intro.mdwn | 20 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | mail/setup.mdwn | 94 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | redpill.mdwn | 43 |
8 files changed, 132 insertions, 83 deletions
diff --git a/account.mdwn b/account.mdwn index 41c1315..d5b21f9 100644 --- a/account.mdwn +++ b/account.mdwn @@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ Each user has a single, personal account. -The account, and what it provides access to, is protected by a personal [[password]]. +The account, and what it provides access to, is protected by a personal +[[password]]. ## Personal resources @@ -28,6 +29,8 @@ User accounts provide access to various shared resources: ## Account administration -User accounts are administered by the technical supporters using a small set of [[account/commands]] +User accounts are administered by the technical supporters using a set of +[[account/commands]] -New users are pointed to the [[intro]] page by [[intro/email]] and [[intro/sms]]. +New users are pointed to the [[intro]] page by [[intro/email]] and +[[intro/sms]]. @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ -# ICT documentation. +# ICT documentation -This is ICT documentation for this system - a [[Redpill]] organisation. +This is ICT documentation for a [[Redpill]] organisation. Please go read the [[intro]]. diff --git a/internet.mdwn b/internet.mdwn index 5e7d72f..6538464 100644 --- a/internet.mdwn +++ b/internet.mdwn @@ -1,3 +1,7 @@ # Internet -Internet is but a set of communication rules for computers, allowing them to uniformly exchange information. +Internet is the Babel tower of computers - a substantial set of rules for +common language and behaviour, independent from oddities of each participating +computer. + +In other words, Internet is but a very effective communications tool. @@ -1,8 +1,11 @@ # Introduction to using this system -As a user of this system you have been given an "account". You have received a "username" (probably by email), and a password (probably by cellphone text message). +As a user of this system you have been given an "account". You have received a +"username" (probably by email), and a password (probably by cellphone text +message). -The password you received has only a short lifespan, and **must** be changed soon. +The password you received has only a short lifespan, and **must** be changed +soon. ## Pick a good password @@ -10,9 +13,12 @@ The password you received has only a short lifespan, and **must** be changed soo Invent something impossible to guess, yet easy to remember. * Avoid personal info. Don't use your mother's birthday or your pet cat. - * Avoid plain words. Gibberish mixed with mumbo jumbo is much better (robots use dictionaries!). + * Avoid plain words. Gibberish mixed with mumbo jumbo is much better (robots + use dictionaries!). -Suggestion: Think of a phrase - e.g. a poem or a song. Pick first letter of each word. Add a number. Gibberish in itself, but easy (for you) to remember/recreate. +Suggestion: Think of a phrase - e.g. a poem or a song. Pick first letter of +each word. Add a number. Gibberish in itself, but easy (for you) to +remember/recreate. ## Save your password in your head only @@ -20,19 +26,23 @@ Suggestion: Think of a phrase - e.g. a poem or a song. Pick first letter of each Your password is strictly personal. * Do not write it down. - * Do not **ever** reveal it to anyone. Not a friend, your boss, the police, me or other technicians. - * Be proud if you forget your password: That means you picked a strong password :-) + * Do not **ever** reveal it to anyone. Not a friend, your boss, the police, me + or other technicians. + * Be proud if you forget your password: That means you picked a strong + password :-) -If you loose or reveal your password, a new one is created for you (and texted to you, if your cellphone number is known to the system). +If you loose or reveal your password then just report it, and a new one is +created for you (and texted to you, if your cellphone number is known to the +system). ## Change your password -Depending on system setup, you may change your password with the provided webmail "IMP" (contact your technicians for details). +Depending on system setup, you may change your password with the provided +webmail "IMP" (contact your technicians for details). -## Go explore! +## More info -See [[mail/intro]] to start using email. - -See [[account]] for an overview of possible usage of your account. + * [[mail/Intro]] to start using email + * [[Overview|account]] of possible uses of your account @@ -1,8 +1,7 @@ # Overview of email documentation -Each user [[account]] is an email account - with one ore more email [[addresses]] attached. - -The [[intro]] quickly gets you started, while [[setup]] steps through the details. +Each user [[account]] is an email account - with one ore more email +[[addresses]] attached. ## Setup diff --git a/mail/intro.mdwn b/mail/intro.mdwn index f4cd90c..be77bc5 100644 --- a/mail/intro.mdwn +++ b/mail/intro.mdwn @@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ Your account at this system has at least one email address attached. Additional addresses can be added on request. Some may already be added. -All incoming emails are stored in your account inbox, no matter what email address was addressed. +All incoming emails are stored in your account inbox, no matter what email +address was addressed. ## Webmail @@ -20,14 +21,17 @@ This is ready to use as is - no additional setup required to get started. Here's a short summary of the needed setup: - * Email server is the same for both incoming and outgoing services (contact your technicians for the hostname). - * Email are reachable through the services **pop3** and **imap**. Imap is recommended for most cases. - * Outgoing mail is handled through secure smtp on port **465** (not the normal port 25). - * You MUST use **SSL** and password **authentication** for all email services (also smtp). + * Email server is the same for both incoming and outgoing services (contact + your technicians for the hostname). + * Incoming email is reachable through **pop3** and **imap**. Imap is + recommended for most cases. + * Outgoing email is accepted through secure smtp on port **465** (not the + regular port 25). + * You MUST use password **authentication** for all email services (also smtp). ## More info - * [[Setup]] more detailed. - * [[Overview|mail]] of email-related info. - * [[Overview|account]] of uses of your account. + * [[Setup]] more detailed + * [[Overview|mail]] of email-related info + * [[Overview|account]] of uses of your account diff --git a/mail/setup.mdwn b/mail/setup.mdwn index 7abbf28..5d65876 100644 --- a/mail/setup.mdwn +++ b/mail/setup.mdwn @@ -1,17 +1,27 @@ # Setting up your personal email account -As a user at this system you have been given a single [[account]]. Tied to this account is an email address (or possibly more than one). +As a user at this system you have been given a single [[account]]. Tied to this +account is an email address (or possibly more than one). -All incoming emails are delivered to the inbox of your personal account (ie. same location no matter if you have more addresses attached). +All incoming emails are delivered to the inbox of your personal account (ie. +same location no matter if you have more addresses attached). ## Webmail setup -Webmail is probably the simplest way to reach your emails. Somewhat like HoTMaiL but without advertisements and with fewer spam mails. +Webmail is probably the simplest way to reach your emails. Somewhat like +HoTMaiL but without advertisements. -One common website (contact your technicians for its location) offers several webmail applications, each with different strengths and weaknesses. -The topmost application, IMP, is recommended, due to its most complete functionality. It provides access to changing your account [[password|password.en]]. -Same website also lists some alternative websites also offering webmail access to Homebase accounts. Save those addresses on your own computer, for the case of the primary website one day being out of order. +One common website (contact your technicians for its location) offers several +webmail applications, each with different strengths and weaknesses. + +The topmost of the webmail application, IMP, is recommended, due to its most +complete functionality. It provides access to changing your account +[[password]]. + +Same website also lists some alternative websites also offering webmail access +to accounts at this system. Save those addresses on your own computer, for the +case of the primary webmail service one day being out of order. Entering webmail, step by step: @@ -22,48 +32,76 @@ Entering webmail, step by step: ## Recommended setup of local email program -If you have a computer of your own, it is recommended to use a "real" email application instead webmail. It works faster and is more stable. It is also puts less burden on the server. +If you have a computer of your own, it is recommended to use a "real" email +application in favor of webmail. It works faster and is more stable. It is also +puts less burden on the server. + + 1. Download [Mozilla Thunderbird](http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird). - * Download [Mozilla Thunderbird](http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird). + (!) Other email programs work too, but Mozilla Thunderbird is considered + most reliable, while still both userfriendly and + [free](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software). - (!) Other email programs work too, but Mozilla Thunderbird is considered most reliable, while still both userfriendly and [free](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software). + 2. Create an "imap" account. - * Create an "imap" account. + (!) The alternative, pop3 (suggested by default in many applications), is + less flexible - e.g. does not work well concurrently with webmail access to + your emails. - (!) The alternative, pop3 (suggested by default in most applications), is less flexible - e.g. does not work well concurrently with webmail access to your emails. + 3. Use your provided username, and the hostname provided by your technicians, + as both incoming and outgoing server. + 4. Enable encryption for incoming mail (imap or pop3): + * Enable "SSL" (also called "secure connection") + 5. Enable encryption for outgoing mail (smtp): + 1. Enable "SSL". + 2. Change port number from the standard 25 to 465 (Mozilla Thunderbird does + this automatically) + 3. Enable authentication, using same username and password as for your + incoming mail. - * Use your provided username, and the hostname provided by your technicians, as both incoming and outgoing server. - * Enable encryption for incoming mail (imap or pop3): - 1. Enable "SSL" connection (also called "secure connection") - * Enable encryption for outgoing mail (smtp): - 1. Enable "SSL" connection. - 2. Change port number from the standard 25 to 465 (Mozilla Thunderbird does this automatically) - 3. Enable authentication, using same username and password as for your incoming mail. + /!\ Avoid "TLS" (also called "secure *passwords*") - it does not work + together with SSL. - /!\ Avoid "TLS" (also called "secure ''passwords''") - it does not work together with SSL +Many email applications help you setting up your account using a "wizard". +Unfortunately security setup required at this system is often left out from +such routines. +If you are guided by a wizard, you therefore afterwards need to manually check +that the configuration produced match the above instructions. -Many email applications help you setting up your account using a "wizard". Unfortunately such routines often ignores security aspects required at this system. -So most probably you will have to first use the wizard and then manually enter "advanced settings" and enable some security options. +/!\ Some applications stash away security options (SSL, password etc.) below +"advanced settings" or similar. -When you enable the improved security, the email application might complain that it does not trust the mail server. -You then need to accept the "security certificate" used at this system (see external reference to riseup.net at the bottom of this page). This is not needed with Mozilla Thunderbird. +Your email application might complain that it does not trust the mail server. +You then need to accept the "security certificate" used at this system (see +external reference to riseup.net at the bottom of this page). Mozilla +Thunderbird need no special handling. ## Special quirks with Apple Mail -The default setting for some versions of Apple Mail is to leave a copy of all your emails on the server, even deleted ones. +The default setting for some versions of Apple Mail is to leave a copy of all +your emails on the server, even when deleted in the application. -If you use Apple Mail, you need to avoid filling up your [[allowed disk space|quota/intro.en]] by changing that behaviour: +If you use Apple Mail, you need to avoid filling up your +[[allowed_disk_space|quota/intro]] by changing that behaviour: - 1. Open Mail + 1. Open "Mail" 2. Go to Preferences > Accounts > Advanced - 3. Check √ 'remove copy from server after retrieving a message' + 3. Check "remove copy from server after retrieving a message" ## External links -Help texts at riseup.net (whenever "mail.riseup.net" is mentioned, use the mailserver hostname of this system instead): +The help texts at riseup.net is generally good, as their system works much like +this. Just remember to use the mailserver hostname of this system whenever +"mail.riseup.net" is mentioned. * [Setting up email applications](http://help.riseup.net/mail/mail-clients/) * [Dealing with security certificates](http://help.riseup.net/mail/security/certificates/) * [Avoiding "leave on server" with pop3](http://www.earthnet.net/support/email/email_pop_remove_copy.htm) + + +## More info + + * [[Overview|mail]] of email-related info + * [[Overview|account]] of uses of your account diff --git a/redpill.mdwn b/redpill.mdwn index 506595c..5d1fb50 100644 --- a/redpill.mdwn +++ b/redpill.mdwn @@ -1,34 +1,25 @@ -# Redpill - self-centered ICT +# Redpill - sustainable ICT -ICT is complex. It is tempting to close your eyes and just leave the trouble to someone else. Simple at first, but expensive and you never really know what you have. +> You take the blue pill and [..] believe whatever you want to believe. You +> take the red pill and [..] I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes. [..] all +> I am offering is the truth. Nothing more. -Redpill is different. You are in control of your own digital resources - and save both money and frustrations in the long run. +-- Morpheus, The Matrix -## Redpill in management terms +(in the movie "The Matrix" the hero Neo is offered to escape the illusion he +believes is reality. The illusion is comfortable, but unethical. -Redpill is the opposite of outsourcing: As much as possible of your precious data and infrastructure in kept in-house, and the rest uses only simple and generic services to avoid depending on unique features of a single provider. +Pills usually work on the symptoms - soothing the pain without solving the +underlying problems. -An "ICT guide" is hired part-time to help setup your resources as self-sustainable as possible, and to train one or more of your own staff to work with the system on a day-to-day basis. +Redpill is different. It is a self-help process - ICT structures designed to +support and inspire active and concious ICT use. More demanding to establish, +but more economical and less frustrating in the long run. -When the setup is completed, smaller tasks like restarting services or adding/changing user accounts can be done by the "superusers" among your staff. Beyond that, your network can in principle run on its own, although typically your ICT guide stays in the loop as a technical advisor, continuously checking security and optimize/improve/extend services. +Redpill is a saner alternative to traditional ICT. -You keep your ICT guide only for as long as the relationship is mutually beneficial: Your data, services and know-how stays with you. Your system keeps running, it just slowly becomes "oldfashioned". And you can take in another ICT guide - behind the scenes all code is standard Debian GNU/Linux structures with a large userbase worldwide. +## More info -## Redpill in technical terms - -Server hardware: Noname x86 machines, software RAID and all user data mirrored through Internet to separate host - -Server software: Debian GNU/Linux - postfix, apache, amavis, dovecot, etc. - -Machines for creative use: Apple Macintosh - -Machines for classical paperwork use: Debian GNU/Linux or Microsoft Windows. - -## Redpill in an alien environment - -It is possible to share locations with an organisation not using (and not interested in) the Redpill concept. You usually do _not_ need to adopt to a strict foreign policy: - -You need from the ICT staff of your host organisation...: - - * A single static public IP number with port number 22 open inbound, and standard ports open outbound (or ideally fully open) - * Space for a single standard-sized computer (or preferrably 2) + * Strategic [[arguments|purpose]] + * Daily [[use]] + * Technical [[overview|admin]] |