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Scene in the office: — Doctor, I can't take it anymore! Wherever I look, whatever I think about, I see the same thing everywhere — fonts, fonts, fonts!

— Don't worry so much. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. I know you want them... The doctor automatically adjusted his glasses and muttered: «Helvetica or Times New Roman?..»

«The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.» — how one sentence became a typographic legend...

Where did the meme come from, and why is this particular phrase familiar to everyone who has opened the font viewer in the Russian version of Windows? It is the sample line from the fontview.exe utility, included in the standard distribution since Windows 95 — the «pangram». It shows how Cyrillic letters look in the selected typeface. That same font sample image and that same line are an instant flashback for many designers.

A «pangram» is a sentence containing every letter of an alphabet at least once. It is useful for testing fonts and keyboard layouts.

Why do interfaces need a pangram? In a single line, you can see all letter shapes, proportions, kerning, paragraph rhythm and punctuation. Instead of a dry set of characters, users are shown a natural phrase — it is easier to read and compare between fonts.

Different languages have their own pangrams. The classic English pangram is «The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog», containing all 26 letters of the Latin alphabet.The classic Russian pangram is "Съешь ещё этих мягких французских булок, да выпей же чаю.", containing all 32 letters of the Russian alphabet.

Professional deformation, but in a good way... If one day it seems to you that the world has turned into one big Comic Sans — breathe in, breathe out. This is a normal typographic deformation: your eyes have simply learned to notice typefaces and spacing where there used to be nothing but text.


The material may be freely used and adapted.

About Me...

Good day. My name is Konstantin (M@nuL)... More precisely, nobody calls me... I just show up :)

I am a System Administrator at a small, but quite powerful for its size, grain elevator in southern Ukraine
LLC « AgroAlfaTerminal ».
This website is a small detour from my direct professional duties. Everything here — from Design and Layout to Code and Databases — was made by me and «Google». The order may be reversed, but I like the first version MORE!!!
I have been working at the grain elevator since 2013, which means 13 years already. Before that, I worked at one of the Banks and in Government institutions. For almost my entire conscious life, I have dreamed of conquering «Linuh-Linux» systems...
— I want to switch to Linux, but I keep putting it off...
— But it's as easy as can be!
— I know. It's just easier to postpone things in Windows.


Dreams drowned in a lack of Laziness and a sea of Time... Did you notice the contradiction? :)

I mainly work with Windows, network protocols, virtualization and automation. I administer networks, Database Servers and Windows security systems. I also configure cloud platforms for Accounting, automate routine tasks using Archivers and PowerShell, and, of course, support Users — because what would we do without them...

They say you can do anything in Linux. You can do anything in Windows too — if Microsoft designed it that way.

Networks

Networks — not just for fishing...

A computer network is the circulatory system of a business: if there is a «clot» somewhere, everyone feels the pain immediately. Your network needs to work fast, reliably and securely at all times.

What is it all made of?

Passive components — cables, outlets and patch panels. They may seem like simple pieces of hardware, but if they are installed carelessly, the network will work just as carelessly. They should be designed so that the «web» becomes an organized structure rather than a quest to find the right cable.

Active components — switches, routers and Wi-Fi access points. These are what make the network «alive»:

• A switch distributes data packets (and doesn't confuse them with parcels from an online store).
• A router finds the shortest path (and never asks, «How about going through the traffic jam?»).
• Wi-Fi access points provide wireless freedom — the signal will be everywhere, except perhaps inside the refrigerator.

Firewall and protection — the modern network «customs officer». It won't let outsiders in, even if they arrive wearing a printer costume.

Why is all this important?

• Fast network = fast processes.
• Reliable network = relaxed users (and a system administrator who doesn't get called at night).
• Secure network = no «Oops, where did everything go?».

And yes, if something suddenly goes wrong, I'm the person who is the first to hear: — «The Internet is down!!!» — «Are you sure you didn't change the password?»

Operating Systems — not «install and forget»

An OS is the brain of any computer or server. If it works like clockwork — nobody notices. If it starts to «slow down» — the System Administrator gets the blame, even if the computer simply decided to update at the worst possible moment.

What kinds are there?

Windows — the favorite of accountants and «1C». Friendly, but sometimes it decides for itself when it is time to update.

Linux — strict, reliable and not fussy. The main thing is to become friends with the console instead of being scared of the black screen.

Android — a mobile operating system that has long stopped being just «a system for phones». Smartphones, tablets, TVs and other devices all need proper administration, updates and a little magic.

Server Operating Systems and virtualization — allow one machine to be «many-faced»: hosting databases, websites and services simultaneously, and even making a little coffee or tea with French buns :) (well, almost)...

Important:

• Windows and Linux should be installed and configured so that they work together, rather than arguing about which one is more important.
• Systems should be updated without surprises: no working day should suffer because of an unexpected reboot.
• Optimize performance: disable everything unnecessary and keep only what is useful.
• Set up backups so that even in the event of a failure, data does not disappear into a black hole.
• Server virtualization — saving hardware, electricity and nerves.
• Security: firewall, antivirus and encryption — whatever suits you.
• Fast OS = fast application performance.
• Timely updates = fewer vulnerabilities.
• Proper configuration = the System Administrator does not have to sit next to you 24/7 (and annoy you)...

Databases — the heart of information systems

If the network is the circulatory system and the OS is the brain, then the database is the heart. It pumps information: about customers, orders, warehouses and finances. And if the heart «stumbles» — the entire business comes to a standstill.

What kinds are there?

SQL databases (MS SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL) — clear structure, strict tables, order like on a military parade ground.

NoSQL databases — more flexible and «talkative», they like chaotic data, but they also require attention.

Important:

• Installing and configuring database servers so that they do not suffocate even under heavy load.
• Query optimization: data finds its way to you faster than a courier carrying tea and buns.
• Setting up backups so that even the most valuable table does not disappear during a failure.
• Security: encryption, access control and activity auditing — nobody gets to read anything they shouldn't.
• Data migration between systems — carefully, without losses or unexpected surprises.
• Performance monitoring: if the database starts «thinking» — the Administrator should be the first to know about it, not the last.
• Optimized database = fast application performance.
• Backup = protection from disasters (and accidental «I clicked the wrong thing» moments).
• Security = nobody walks away with your data tucked under their arm.

And yes, when someone says: «The database is slow!»

— «Are you sure you didn't run a report for all the years at once while having tea and buns?»

Security and Antivirus — not a luxury, but a necessity

If the network is the nerves, the OS is the brain, and the database is the heart, then security is the immune system. Without it, any system risks catching the «digital flu», and treating it later will be more expensive and take longer.

What does it consist of?

Antivirus software — the first line of defense. It catches what has made its way inside before it is too late.

Firewall — a strict border guard: it checks every «guest» at the entrance and will not let anyone through who has «forgotten their passport».

Encryption and access control — protection for your data: even if someone gets inside, they will not be able to read or steal anything valuable.

Monitoring and auditing — so you always know who is doing what on the network. Yes, even printers sometimes behave suspiciously.

Important:

• Configure antivirus software and firewalls so that they protect the system without getting in the way of work.
• Implement security policies: from simple password control to complex corporate standards.
• Configure encryption — access only for those who really need it.
• Audit and monitor threats before they have a chance to cause damage.
• Teach Users the basics of cyber hygiene — so nobody clicks «Open virus.zip» just out of curiosity.
• Protected network = peaceful business.
• Antivirus and firewalls = no «digital infection».
• Encryption and access control = even in case of a breach, the data remains useless to attackers.

And yes, when someone says: «Why do we need all this? We're just a small company!»

— «Viruses don't care how big you are…»

Tools and Software — what the Admin works with

A good System Administrator without tools is like a mechanic without wrenches. You can, of course, try to repair a server with a screwdriver from «Epicentr», but it is much more fun when the software is chosen correctly and everything you need is at hand.

What's in the «toolkit»:

System utilities — to see everything: who is connected, what is slowing down, where the «bottleneck» is; Monitoring and diagnostics — servers don't complain, but you need to know when something is wrong; Automation tools — so tasks can perform themselves and you don't turn into a robot; Backup and recovery — Plan B that is always at hand (and it's better when you don't need it); Remote access software — when the server is in trouble and you're hundreds of kilometers away; User management tools — from assigning permissions and software to solving the classic «why won't my Excel open?».

Important:

• Choose the right software for the tasks — without overpaying or filling the system with unnecessary junk.
• Configure monitoring and automation — so everything keeps working even at night while the admin sleeps.
• Keep software and licenses up to date — no surprises during inspections.
• Teach staff how to use the tools — otherwise even the best software becomes an expensive icon on the desktop.
• Right tools = less manual routine.
• Automation = fewer mistakes.
• Monitoring and backups = fewer incidents.

And yes, when someone says: «Can we do everything for free?»

— «Sure, but the result will cost more…»

How to contact me (and why you should)

If your network is slowing down, the database has decided to take a nap, Windows is updating during rush hour, or a virus is pretending to be an invoice from a partner — I can take a look while you are thinking about whom to blame.


Ways to contact me

• Phone — yes, it still works (I almost never answer on the first try): +380 99 139 0*0* (I'll publish it after the war :(
• Email — for those who appreciate some order in their correspondence
•     Messengers (all of them, using the phone number above...) — fast, convenient, and sometimes I even read them...
• Pigeon mail — not recommended: pigeons tend to confuse addresses.

When should you write or call?

When something breaks.
When nothing is broken, but you want it to work better. When you need it «yesterday» — about half of all cases.


P.S. Yes, I reply quickly. No, «reinstall Windows» is not always the best advice.

The question «Can we do it without spending any money?» sounds about the same as «Can we run a server without power?» — yes, but it won't work.