Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Forum rules, reminder, changes, updates, ...

reply to Randy Bell

Re: Forum rules, reminder, changes, updates, ...

reply to jimeez

said by jimeez:

---

could someone be so kind as to explain what in the world is a script kiddie?

---

--
Click HERE for the newsletter COGECO won't let you read!

reply to Wildcatboy
I like what you have done, Wildcatboy! As a moderator of a different message board, I share your feelings. This place has been an invaluable resource for me. I thank all of you! Sifting through people's unsolicited "opinions" and flames is a hassle everywhere. =]
Now. Without getting flamed myself, could someone be so kind as to explain what in the world is a script kiddie? .......please excuse my ignorance

reply to Wildcatboy
These rules seem to very fair. i have a few threads hijacked lately and my question never got answered. I just hope other members will read this sticky post and take note of the new rules.
--
A Proud Member Of Team Discovery

reply to Wildcatboy
This is the first forum I found at DSLR when I registered and the one in which I did the majority of my reading for a long time. I mentioned it to anyone I knew with security questions (computer, anyway;)) because I was so impressed with the people and the information here.

I am a fan of free speech but I tend to get more use out of over-moderated forums than under-moderated ones, if I have to choose, just because there's generally less chaff to wade through. If the happy medium can be found, even better.

I did think this forum was deteriorating at one point. My visits became less frequent and seemed less rewarding each time. I hope the changes have the desired effect. I do think this forum was, and can be, one of the best Security forums anywhere.

[text was edited by author 2002-09-12 16:06:40]

reply to LowWaterMark
I meant to start a local web site over a year ago. BUT .. after being a member here a long time, I saw how a GOOD site should be developed (and how a good site can evolve) towards someting even more worth while.

This set of updated rules (I would prefer the term "guidelines", but this is not my forum )
is a perfect example of how it does continue to change for the better.
--
~Start a thread inThe Texas Gulf Coast FORUM - Win a free beer ~

reply to Wildcatboy
I don't post here much at all since I don't know much about security. But I do read it more often and can really appreciate a good set of rules for keeping a forum on track. WCB, obviously you put a lot of time and thought into leading these discussions and that alone puts you ahead of many forums. One thing I would like to suggest for experts helping newbies like me without wasting their valuable time, is to use the voting feature when you find a good explanation of a common topic. I can't think of another forum I've seen that has this, but it would be a good way to keep common answers to questions easily accessible, without re-writing the FAQ on a regular basis. I know if I come here with a problem the first thing I'm going to do is look at the popular posts for the last three months since I don't do much exotic stuff with my PC, I expect others will have had similar problems. I'm also usually in a panic and afraid my PC will die completely any second, so I would prefer not to have to peruse a year and a half worth of posts if it can be avoided. So even if you are not posting about a subject but recognize it as a good answer, vote it up. It might help and it can't hurt, right?

Thanks to all for the help I've received in the past and in advance for any help in future.

FingerDemon
--
From Mark Leyner's Et Tu, Babe
Last words of dying man...
"If you squander your precious, beautiful days on meaningless labor, whose ultimate purpose is to further enrich the ruling elite or solidify the hegemony of the state...
you're a sucker."

reply to Wildcatboy
It's refreshing to see leadership done well ...I am fairly new in respect to security and in the few months of reading and asking, many here (you know who you are) have helped me and now this is ALWAYS my first stop for security questions and answers. You people have been very helpful, polite, and to the point with me and for that I'm thankful.
WCB, you are a great moderator, and have a great forum running. If it gets any better I might be an expert some
day LOL...: Thanks to all who have helped me, and will help me! I hope some day to return the favor for another person here.
--
Go on...I have a thick shell...KcHaZ

reply to unix_warrior
unix_warrior, welcome to dslreports!! I'm obviously not WCB, but I can tell you I've seen numerous posts here in dslr security related to Linux systems...maybe some mac questions too, but the forum represents the larger community of personal computer users, in which windows is the majority...although WCB will have the final word, my guess is that all security-related questions are welcome. There are also software and hardware forums here at dslreports...just click on the "all forums" on the left or at the top of your screen. :)

reply to Wildcatboy
Wildcatboy,

Great post I recommend dslreports when friends have questions about security and agree with your points about being more professional without the personal attacks/remarks the security fourm is not slashdot or usenet. I tune in now and then but glad to see there are changes, are we allowed to discuss nix and mac security issues in this fourm?
or is it strictly windows only?

Unix_Warrior

[text was edited by author 2002-09-11 14:57:27]

[text was edited by author 2002-09-11 15:01:24]

reply to Wildcatboy

said by Wildcatboy:

---

...This forum gets a lot of new members daily ... A year from now a lot of the old timers may no longer be here and the people dominating this forum will be the new guys who join today. If being unprofessional becomes an acceptable part of this forum, there will be absolutely no hope for this forum a year from now. ...

---

reply to Wildcatboy

I had the choice...

reply to Wildcatboy

Re: Forum rules, reminder, changes, updates, ...

reply to Wildcatboy
This post was not meant to scare people off. It was meant to tell you where we stand today in my view and where we may end up if we are not careful.

Perhaps it has a lot to do with who I am in real life, I don't look at things as they look today. I tend to look at things as how they are going to look 3, 6 or 10 months from now and I make my judgment based on that. That's why a lot of times my friends think I have a weird view of things that doesn't necessarily match the views of others. And yes, there are times when I see doom and gloom when others see roses.

I guess it's the security guy in me. When you try to design a security plan, the worst thing you can do is to close the current holes and hope for the best. You need to look at other possibilities and devise a plan that can last well after you leave.

This forum gets a lot of new members daily and as JV mentioned, how people behave has a lot to do with what they see. A year from now a lot of the old timers may no longer be here and the people dominating this forum will be the new guys who join today. If being unprofessional becomes an acceptable part of this forum, there will be absolutely no hope for this forum a year from now. Because the majority of members will find it to be acceptable and just another part of being in this forum. Try telling them then about being professional. They'll throw me out of this forum.

It's all about the kind of people you attract to this forum. Joke threads attract people who like to joke, Technical threads attract people who are either technical or would like to learn as much as they can. So 6 months from now depending on the choices we make today, we'll either have a group of people who love to have fun and talk about security once in a while or we'll have a bunch of people who love to learn and discuss security issues in a professional manner and have fun occasionally. The latter is what I'm trying to have here.

I have nothing against humour. What I'm against is for humour to get in the way of business. A friendly place doesn't necessarily mean having cartoons up in every thread. A friendly place could be a place that welcomes every new member, a place that believes no question is a stupid one, a place that you can count on being helped with open arms and without being insulted. I don't think it's fair to equate not having jokes and cartoons with being unfriendly.

And here's a word to our new members and those who think they are not gurus. Well, most of us aren't. The majority of people you see answering the questions in this forum started just like you. They came here for help, they absorbed as much as they could and they decided to give something back by hanging around and answering a few questions and now they're hooked.

It's amazing how much you can learn even by reading the very technical posts and it's amazing how much more you can learn by getting your feet wet and answering the questions you know the answer for. Once you're hooked you realize that in order to answer more questions you have absolutely no choice but to learn more. That's what I call fun. If you think learning by itself isn't fun, give it a try.
--
You can catch the Devil, but you can't hold him long.

reply to La Luna
La Luna,

I am beginning to suspect some sort of feminist conspiracy here to protect us from becoming humorless. First jaykaykay, now you -- not to mention the persistent incoming e-mail from a certain lurker who's gleefully pointing out to me each such posting.

I don't think WCB is advocating a total lack of humor; just a reasonable amount of discretion and self-control. (Right, big guy?? ... Right??)

I mean, I've already been poking at Name Game and it seems I can still post!

I suppose I should now post a limerick, but I think that might try his patience beyond the breaking point!
--
Regards, Joseph V. Morris

reply to Wildcatboy
While I agree in principle with all that WCB has said, I would like to offer the opinion that sometimes there IS a place for friendlyness, and yes, sometimes even humor. Those are the things that keep forums such as this from being INTIMIDATING, thus chasing new people away for fear of not knowing enough, or saying something "stupid".
Sure, there are annoyances and threads that shouldn't be, but isn't that part of internet forum life? All in all, I think this forum (all of them, for that matter) are EXCELLENT as they are--not too stuffy, or boring or filled with technical chatter that's above most people's heads. I LIKE coming here for the best security info around, combined with a comfortable, friendly environment. And as far as I am concerned, the Mods have been doing a great job keeping things on the straight and narrow. I honestly don't see that there is any major problem. Consider the fact that I am a woman, 53 and a grandma--if I saw any nonsense going on here that wasn't dealt with, I would be gone in a heartbeat.

WCB, while its fine to have some ground rules to live by, don't get TOO serious on us--we get enough of that in "real" life, don't we? Shouldn't all of this computer "stuff" (yes, even security) be fun? I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. THAT'S what keeps me coming back to learn more. If things get too technical, too dry, too boring, I'll lose interest.

Am I making any sense here? Not saying it should be all fun and games--just that there has to be a happy medium that would work for all.

Now, I think I will go print out the new rules and hang them by my computer for reference ...I'll NEVER remember all of them, lol.......
--
»www.sarahbrightman.co.uk »www.sarah-brightman.com/

reply to jfcjrus

said by jfcjrus:

---

Lately, I've been reluctant to even post a question or reply due to the (and I exaggerate):
'Must we go thru this again? We covered that 2 months ago. Why are you bothering us, again, with this crap?'; attitude.

---

reply to Wildcatboy
Very well done my friend. I have benefited from this forum immensely, one could go so far as to say it inspired a career change. Although I find it very difficult to take the time to post I know that when and if I do have any questions they will be answered quickly and the information helpful. For this reason I agree with your outline and all it stands for. Keeping this forum held to the highest standards will ensure it continues to be the dominant forum for information related to Security.

I for one greatly appreciate you stepping up to take a more proactive role in moderation. Good job
--
God bless America

reply to Wildcatboy

said by Wildcatboy:

---

[snip].... this forum has somehow degenerated. Partly due to the fact that we were trying to test a gentler and more forgiving approach to moderation to see how it works and how far can people go in self moderating.

Well, that approach has to a certain degree failed in my view....[/snip]

---

reply to Wildcatboy
I hear you loud and clear, WCB. I also know that I am probably one of the worst offenders in that I take every chance that I can to throw in a bit of humor, even when it comes to security. I will attempt to curb my normal, impish ways and respect your wishes as the Mod of this forum. Please do me a favor though and realize that no matter how serious a subject may be, humor is a necessary part of life...even here.
--
JKKAge is a very high price to pay for my maturity. If I can't stay young, I can at least stay immature!