UWC releases open source learning tool

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has released a new version of its KEWL open source learning management system. The system, originally started two years ago as a hobby by UWC professor Derek Keats, is now released as version 1.1.

Keats says the new version includes a host of bug fixes as well as a number of new features. "All of the features suggested at a user-developer workshop, as well as those developed by other users, have been included in this release," says Keats. One new feature is the ability to export courses to static format for distribution on CD-ROM or for Web mirroring. "The offline content looks identical to the online content, with the exception that the buttons that require the student to go live are a different colour so that the student knows what is available locally and what requires an Internet connection."

KEWL 1.1 also includes improved content editing and management. For users of Internet Explorer 5.5 and up, there is a WYSWYG content editor, as well as an image upload and thumbnailer that allows the easy management of images within a course.

TheRegister reports that a number of popular packet sniffing packages have been infected with trojans and the infected versions were posted on download sites. The infected packages include Libpcap, which is used in popular applications such as Snort and Tcpdump. The infected packages were posted on the Tcpdump.org download site but have also found their way onto many other download sites.

The trojan contains modifications to the configure script for both packages. The backdoor component of the trojan tries to connect to a specific host (mars.raketti.net), and does not open the system to the world.

Russ Spooner, of network security specialist Interrorem, advises that, as a precaution, people should downgrade their libpcap to a trusted version and be cautious of statically compiled pcap-based programs. These programs should be run in a sandbox to make sure they are not trying to connect to the mars.raketti.net server. [TheRegister]

IBM SA has signed an exclusive deal to become the distributor of Polycom IP phones in SA. IBM says the deal allows it to provide a range of advanced features offered by IP telephony, but at a better price than other handsets. The Polycom handsets are CiscoVerified and are compatible with its widely used CallManager back-end system.

Giovanni Venturella, IBM SA`s senior networking and connectivity specialist, says IP-based telephony is a burgeoning market because of the advantages it offers for converging a variety of communications systems into one protocol.

"What IP phones allow us to do is move closer to IP convergence, replacing a PABX with Cisco`s IP CallManager," says Venturella. Using the system, a receptionist, for example, no longer needs a computer or terminal, as the Polycom phone has its own small screen and the ability to track which users are on a call, in a meeting or otherwise unavailable.

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