Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

Data center server infrastructure and OSes

• User vs. local variables

  A MySQL expert describes the difference between user variables and local variables.  Continue Reading

• Limiting table access with a stored procedure

  An expert describes how to limit table access and viewing with a stored procedure instead of the GRANT statement.  Continue Reading

• Modifying the GRANT statement

  A MySQL expert describes how to modify the GRANT option, when issuing permissions for tables, with the WITH GRANT OPTION.  Continue Reading

• Red Hat's business model

  An open source software and applications expert says that Red Hat has nothing to fear from free Linux distros; reliability and certainty are the cornerstones of its commercial support.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring open ports on RHEL 5

  A Linux security expert describes how to determine which ports are open in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL 5) and how to figure out if your ports have been compromised by an attack.  Continue Reading

• Adding a not exist to a subquery with several joins

  A MySQL expert describes how to rewrite NOT EXISTS as joins when trying to add a NOT EXIST to a subquery with several joins.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft, commercial Linux and patent battles

  An open source issues and strategies expert explains Microsoft's patent infringement claims.  Continue Reading

• SUSE vouchers and IP claims

  An open source software and applications expert explains why he's not so sure the release of GPLv3 will affect this issue of Microsoft's claim about intellectual property and its patents.  Continue Reading

• Distributed computing, clusters and high-availability solutions

  A Unix-to-Linux expert describes educational resources about distributed computing, clusters and high-availability solutions for a user who is considering a move to Linux from Unix.  Continue Reading

• $ PATH vs. pwd

  An expert describes the difference between two shell commands, $ PATH and pwd.  Continue Reading

• ipcrm in RHEL 4

  An expert describes several possible solutions for ipcrm's continued existence on RHEL 4 even after is has been dest (destroyed).  Continue Reading

• Running Maple 10 on 64-bit Linux

  A new user wants to know whether it is possible to run a math application, Maple 10, on 64-bit Linux.  Continue Reading

• mysql_ functions vs. mysqli object approach

  MySQL expert Scott Noyes explains why using mysqli over mysql_functions allows you to take advantage of MySQL's newer features and PHP scripts.  Continue Reading

• PEAR functionality in MySQL

  An expert describes PEAR and what it does in MySQL.  Continue Reading

• OpenOffice vs. Microsoft Office GUIs

  How similar are the GUIs for OpenOffice and Microsoft Office? An expert weighs in.  Continue Reading