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HA Nut
Premium
join:2004-05-13
USA | Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, Yippee! 
BV's site was a wonderful resource and more than once I wondered if we would ever see it again. I'm glad he's back! | |
| dannyboy 950
Premium
join:2002-12-30
Port Arthur, TX | Thanks that is great news | |
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DaHen
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Brockton, MA | Thanks nick,
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
| That's great news!
We may get an influx of new members now, after they shut down too many services and their computers won't boot.
New members are always welcome!
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by jabarnut  :That's great news! We may get an influx of new members now, after they shut down too many services and their computers won't boot. New members are always welcome! My thoughts exactly! 
Thanks Nick!
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Think outside the Fox... Opera | |
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Spy
Premium
join:2001-09-22
NE | That's great! I didn't think he'd be back. | |
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MarkAW
Barry White or lil bratt
Premium
join:2001-08-27
Canada | Thanks Nick, can't wait to see what he comes up with for Vista. | |
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major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:
1 edit | I've read the guy's site sporadically throughout the years. Sometimes his info is helpful, sometimes not. But someone explain to me exactly what the deal is with the cult following around here. Chuck Sparks is just like any other schmuck who spends his life in front of a computer. That he has now emerged with a wife and now resides on the west coast is indicative that he dropped out sight for the past 2 yrs and is even more of a Joe Sixpack. What exactly is the reason for all the black viper .... around here?
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The Toll
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TomR_in_MI
Premium
join:2002-12-19
Walled Lake, MI
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by major marco :What exactly is the reason for all the black viper "appreciation" around here? In the early days of XP I was concerned about what MS was doing in the background. BV's services guide demystified XP for me. It gave me enough information to feel confident that I was in charge of my box and MS wasn't.
This past weekend I reinstalled XP for the first time in 3+ years of owning this box, I doubt I would have made it this long without having BV's guide in the early days.
I sent him a donation today. YMMV
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Your computer can help find a cure for cancer. Check out Team Discovery | |
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Name Game
Premium
join:2002-07-07
North Myrtle Beach, SC
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by EGeezer :said by major marco :I've read the guy's site sporadically throughout the years. Sometimes his info is helpful, sometimes not. But someone explain to me exactly what the deal is with the cult following around here. Chuck Sparks is just like any other schmuck who spends his life in front of a computer. That he has now emerged with a wife and now resides on the west coast is indicative that he dropped out sight for the past 2 yrs and is even more of a Joe Sixpack. What exactly is the reason for all the black viper .... around here? As opposed to the Major Marco contributions? Well, where do we start ... Only to tell him it makes no difference who blackviper is..the site is back up..it is useful and safe to visit.
That at DSLR we also like other sites which help in the same way and here they are..
»www.racelinecentral.com/WindowsX···ces.html
»www.liutilities.com/products/win···library/
»www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
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Gladiator Security Forum »www.gladiator-antivirus.com/ Missing Kids »www.missingkids.com/ | |
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kemp
Premium,MVM
join:2001-07-18
Brasil
clubs: | Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, Nice! Outstanding!
Thanks a lot!
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"Gong est Mort. Vive Gong" | |
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EGeezer
Go Bobcats
Premium
join:2002-08-04
Country! | Hadn't seen racelinecentral before - My favorite of the group is theeldergeek.
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03:14:07 UTC Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2038 - a date that will live in infamy... | |
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dodgetech2
join:2002-01-01
Gouldsboro, PA | Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, I didn't even know Quack Viper was gone...... | |
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join:2004-06-15
Tampa, FL
clubs: |  Re: Black Viper is back! Yes,
Good to see BV back. | |
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jaykaykay
4 Ever Young
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-13
Scottsdale, AZ
·Speakeasy
| This is good news indeed, especially for me personally. I am going to be getting a new system and will be reinstalling or adding anew XP, and I've forgotten more than I ever knew about the settings. I look forward to having this valuable guide to what might be settings to think about. | |
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Grail Knight
Who Dares Wins
Premium
join:2003-05-31 | That is indeed good news.
Thanks for the info. | |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
| All very strange I'd say.
First, he disappears from the face of the earth for a couple of years, with no explanation whatsoever, leaving all of his 'loyal readers' behind.
Now, he suddenly reappears out of the blue, and is still keeping everyone in 'suspense':
quote:
Soon, the world will know exactly what happened to me as well as many questions I am sure everyone has. Until then, here is some answers to questions that people may be asking themselves....
....the truth is stranger then fiction
...nobody but me actually knew the truth until just recently
And then, after leaving everyone still wondering what happened, he's looking for donations to boot (no pun intended).
quote:
...recent events have compelled me to reach out to my previous loyal readers for support
I suppose it's as good a time as any to come out of hiding...when you need some money in a hurry.
The gall!
(I should add that if he's had some health issues or other serious problems, then it's understandable, and he has my sympathy).
However, If he's going to come right out and immediately ask for donations, I still feel he owes his so called 'loyal readers' an explanation right now...not "soon".
Perhaps you should send donations "soon".....but not "now".
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
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Blue2
Premium
join:2004-04-14
France
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by jabarnut :I suppose it's as good a time as any to come out of hiding...when you need some money in a hurry. The gall! (I should add that if he's had some health issues or other serious problems, then it's understandable, and he has my sympathy). However, If he's going to come right out and immediately ask for donations, I still feel he owes his so called 'loyal readers' an explanation right now...not "soon". Perhaps you should send donations "soon".....but not "now". 1) He "owes" you absolutely nothing, whether you are a loyal reader of not. (By the way, "loyalty" is a pretty ironic choice of words.) It always amazes me how people complain about free resources (software, advice sites, etc.) as if they've been "screwed" out of something. Not satisfied, move on.
2) He's been in "hiding" and "only" surfaced because he needs money in a hurry? Boy, you top even us jaded New Yorkers for cynicism. Beware of the Easter Bunny too; he might be after your eggs.
3) "Come right out and ask for donations?" You mean that rather discreet indication at the end? How would you suggest that anyone that needs help ask for it--telepathy?
4) Lastly, let's just get a rope and string 'em up. Let's not wait for his explanation. That will also serve as a warning message for other people who dedicate their time to such misguided efforts.  | |
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Blue2
Premium
join:2004-04-14
France
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, Shamrin, I applaud your right to your point of view, but I don't see how this has to do with the FBI reading emails in the US? Conspiracy theories and political arguments are best kept for another forum. (By the way, forget the FBI. ANY company you work for has the legal right to read your emails, so this isn't news.)
Did Black Viper describe himself as a "security expert"? I don't think he presented himself as anything other than a techie, using his spare time to advise others on how to optimize and secure Windows. I don't see how he owes you anything. He isn't under contract and can come and go as he pleases without asking for permission.
There's a difference between healthy scepticism and cynicism. Sceptics have doubts. Cynics just assume the worst. A cynic would see your location as India and just say that you are probably the guy who took away Black Viper's tech job.
Mind you, I'M not that cynical, and I sure hope that no one else is. It is simply unpleasant to go through life assuming the worst about everyone. You know, innocent until proven guilty and hold off judgement until the facts are in. | |
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Blue2
Premium
join:2004-04-14
France
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, No Shamrin, I was not trying to make this personal. But I was trying to make a point about how unpleasant it is to have people judge you without facts.
Black Viper is providing a service that you can accept or ignore. I object to people attacking him for providing it, unless they don't feel that they have gotten their "money's worth" or are willing to provide something better.
Of course one should be cautious about security precautions and one should know the reliability of the source before doing anything that might cause harm. But if one questions the motives of everyone who provides advice, you can start questioning the motives of everyone here at BBR as well. That would be rather cynical.
Black Viper owes you nothing, but many act like he does. It doesn't matter if you know him well or not. The point is that you can criticize his advice, but I take exception with criticizing his motives unless you have some proof of his bad intentions...or can do better.
Those that can, do. Those that can't, criticize. | |
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Name Game
Premium
join:2002-07-07
North Myrtle Beach, SC
2 edits | said by shamrin :I applaud your scepticism, we could use more of it around here, this is the internet after all and you do live in a country where the FBI are reading your email for no particularly good reason (» www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/09/secur···dex.html). Any security expert that disappears for 2 years with no explanation then resurfaces in the same way deserves a certain amount of, well, scepticism. Let the over-reactors over-react. I'll bet in the end though the story isn't as interesting as it seems right now. I've heard that for all its excitement, occasionally real life has been known to interfere, sometimes for long periods, with using The Google. /sch Oh my goodness the FBI also got to your link I always wonder who controlled all those 404's
The page you requested cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
But then again it could have been the russian mafia controlling your mouse and corrupting the link you posted Please check your firewall.
»Re: Firewalls, bad to use ZoneAlarm since it's too common?
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Missing Kids
»www.missingkids.com/ | |
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Doctor Four
My other vehicle is a TARDIS
Premium
join:2000-09-05
Dallas, TX
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by Name Game : Oh my goodness the FBI also got to your link I always wonder who controlled all those 404's The page you requested cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Actually, it's merely a case of him putting an extra ) at
the end of the URL: »www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/09/secur···dex.html
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"The trouble with computers, of course, is that they are very sophisticated idiots." - Doctor Who (from Robot) | |
| | | | | | | | | | Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| said by Doctor Four :said by Name Game : Oh my goodness the FBI also got to your link I always wonder who controlled all those 404's The page you requested cannot be found. The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Actually, it's merely a case of him putting an extra ) at the end of the URL: You missed the point, obviously.  » www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/03/09/secur···dex.html
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"If you want to do DRM on a PC then you need to treat the user as the enemy." Ross Anderson in "`Trusted Computing' Frequently Asked Questions"
»www.msfirefox.com/ | |
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SpannerITWks
Premium
join:2005-04-22
| Jeez what's wrong with " some " people.
A person devotes countless hours on behalf of others, in providing and financing a www stacked with very useful info and tips on how better you can secure your PC etc, and he gets called names etc ?
And why do " some " people always seem to take but not give. If it wasn't for people like BV and others, plenty of us would be worse off in many ways. So what's wrong with supporting someone, especially when they need it most. If more people had helped him out in the past with $ he wouldn't have to ask, and unfortunately often in life if you don't ask you don't get. You wanna see him disappear again soon or what ?
It's quite obvious to me from what he's frankly said, that he's had a few personal problems etc, and has stated he's been unemployed since October 2005. Give the guy a break will ya !
I'm pleased to hear he's found a nice girl and happily married, and going to college. So it sounds like he's back on track, which should be encouraged, NOT dissed etc.
Good for you BV, keep on keeping on.
Spanner
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I Only Know What I Know, But I'm Learning all The Time - Stay Safe - Spanner intheWorks
/SpannerITWks | |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
4 edits | Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, If I'm the * some * people you're referring to, I never called him any "names".
I simply stated that if he was going to suddenly disappear for two years, maybe he owed his "loyal readers" at least some sort of explanation as to why, *before* he left.
And lets just say that was impossible for some reason.
Now that he's finally back...what's with the big mystery?
Come out and explain it now.
He could have done that in the time it took him to write the short mystery novel that is on his site at the moment.
Jeez
said by SpannerITWks : You wanna see him disappear again soon or what ? Spanner Sure as hell wouldn't bother me.
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
| | | Bobby_Peru
Premium
join:2003-06-16
2 edits | Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, Thanks Nick!
said by jabarnut :If I'm the * some * people you're referring to, I never called him any "names". I simply stated that if he was going to suddenly disappear for two years, maybe he owed his "loyal readers" at least some sort of explanation as to why, *before* he left. And lets just say that was impossible for some reason. Now that he's finally back...what's with the big mystery? Come out and explain it now. He could have done that in the time it took him to write the short mystery novel that is on his site at the moment. Jeez said by SpannerITWks : You wanna see him disappear again soon or what ? Spanner Sure as hell wouldn't bother me. »Re: BlackViper
said by jabarnt : said by whizkid3 :
Why doesn't someone write him?
Great idea whizkid3 I just did! I'm thinking (hoping), he will eventually be back too. Of course "Site under construction and coming soon" could mean anything. Like a lot of people, I really miss the Site and told him so....I'll let you guys know in the rare event I actually hear from him. Perhaps he really did answer your inquiring Spring missive back then two years ago (if he received it), or at least thought about answering it (if he could) ...
Either way, it's good to know that he is apparently alright!
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How to Secure (and Keep Secure) My (New) Computer(s): A Layered Approach | |
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jabarnut
Light Years Away
Premium,MVM
join:2005-01-22
Galaxy M31
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, Perhaps you should have also read a little further along in the thread:
»Re: BlackViper
What can I say....I'm a littler wiser now.
Not much, but a little.
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I had a life once.....now I have a Computer and a Modem. | |
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CamelToe
@uu.net | Excellent! He made parole! | |
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altermatt
Premium
join:2004-01-22
White Plains, NY
·Verizon Online DSL
2 edits | My first reaction was YES! The original site was one of the most valuable security resources on the Net, IMHO; I can't count the number of noobies who are surfing much safer thanks to his guides (does that pretty much answer your ill-worded question, major marco?). My second was "hope he deals with Vista soon."
Unfortunately, my third is a bit more cynical, inspired by posts in another security forum...are we SURE this is really the original BV? Some have suggested (I have absolutely no info one way or another) that someone else grabbed the domain name when it came up for renewal, not to update anything, but to hit loyal users up for donations and then never contribute anything further.
If this is truly BV, he deserves a donation for the efforts he put into this resource. Any way to be sure? (I hate having these questions; tin foil hats don't become me ).
EDIT: It looks to me as if the domain was registered in 2000 and doesn't expire until 2009, which bodes well for it being genuine, doesn't it? | |
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AB
Premium
join:2006-04-04
Leesburg, VA
| Re: Black Viper is back! Yes, said by altermatt :...are we SURE this is really the original BV? Some have suggested (I have absolutely no info one way or another) that someone else grabbed the domain name when it came up for renewal, not to update anything, but to hit loyal users up for donations and then never contribute anything further. If it's Blackviper, I'm happy for him, and glad to see him back.
Love him or hate him-- you can take him with a grain of salt, but the guy provides great information.
The only downside could be if it is in fact as you alluded to, and this is none other than Blackviper's arch-enemy "The Red Salamander" instead-- foul deeds being done, and just one more step in his dastardly world Windows Services-Guide Website domination scheme.
Time will tell . . . .
Let's keep our fingers crossed! | |
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Jrb2
Premium
join:2001-08-31
| Thanks Nick | |
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