A new publication written by me has been published in today’s c’t 3/2026.1 It shows step-by-step how data from PDF forms can be automatically extracted using the open source tool pdfcpu and subsequently imported back into ERP or ticket systems using jq or curl. Completely without media breaks, proprietary software or subscriptions. By the way, the editable PDF forms are created with LibreOffice. The proprietary Microsoft Office still cannot create PDF forms by 2026. Read more

Visualisations, live feeds from surveillance cameras or digital display solutions (eSignage) usually run on classic PC hardware. Hidden in industrial cabinets and protected enclosures, a lot of effort is spent when the only thing that matters is often the display of a simple web application. In addition, there are license or cloud subscriptions that companies rarely need. In the upcoming c’t issue 12/2022 starting 21 May, I show in a 4-page practical article1 how small single-board Raspi computers with free Debian and Firefox manage this task better and more economically. Read more

Hard-wired networks are usually provided with numerous security features. With wireless networks, however, admins often remain blind to intrusion attempts, which can be carried out by inexperienced users thanks to affordable gadgets. The remedy is a Wireless Intrusion Detection System (WIDS). Sounds expensive, but it isn’t. A Raspi, a Wi-Fi stick and free open-source software are all you need. In the upcoming c’t edition 19/2021, starting on 28 August, I will show in a “hardcore” article of several pages how to better protect your own wireless network1. Read more

The foundation of every ISMS is a “living” inventory. In an ideal world, this communicates with the Ansible, Bash or PowerShell scripts within IT Operations. Snipe-IT, which I value and have successfully used for many years, was unknown to c’t up until now. Enjoy the read (in German): “IT-Assets im Griff” in der c’t Ausgabe 7/2021.