AO Newsletter #13: Delayed...

[MsMittens]

Due to a lack of submitted articles (read: NONE), I'm delaying this issue by 3 weeks. The new deadline will be June 11th, 2004.

I'm interested in articles on pretty much any computer/security related topic. Discuss a worm. Discuss a new tool (I'm still working on the Ettercap one). Discuss a new idea or way of doing something. How to lock down a system.

Send me a PM or an email (msmittens@msmittens.com) if you are interested. I prefer text, rich text, open office or word doc please. :)

[Spyder32]

I would, but I'm such a *****up at these thing's that I don't wanna screw up the newsletter. ;) Nah, just kidding.. umm, I'll try and write an article about something and then PM it to you and you can lemme know if it can go in the newsletter?

[Ennis]

Perhaps MsMittens there could be something on the front page to get more of a presence for the newsletter?

The letter has been going a while so a drop off in articles is boud to happen or how about a post in which people posting articles in the security or other tutorials forum to not do so but submit them to the zine?

[Cybr1d]

MsMittens I did a 7-8 page report on computer forensics. If you'd like I can send it to you, but it might need a little bit of proof editing.

[thehorse13]

I've meant to ask this a bunch of times before but haven't gotten around to it. Now, don't take this the wrong way because I am seriously asking a question, not busting chops. OK? :)

Now, what purpose does the newsletter fill that the forums don't already facilitate? In other words, what's the benefit? I've read most of the previous newsletters and I can see a very clear similarity to content posted in tutorials and such.

Can ya shed some light on it for me? How did the newsletter get started?

Just curious.

--TH13

[MsMittens]

Cybr1d, by all means, send it in.

TheHorse13, I think the original concept was to have something that 1) could be read away from the computer 2) would offer more indepth reviews, articles, tutorials with graphics (not something that every does with existing posting formats) 3) get a point across with less "noise" 4) well, cuz it sounded kewl!

[Ennis]

I guess I should take responsibility for asking that question MsMittens. Basically it came a bout from a thread and a discussion with JP on IRC, I thought it would be a good idea and lots of people offered to do stuff. So it just started as something to to get members involved, of course MsMittens took over cos she has the skills to make it look good and here we are!

[Tedob1]

"I'm interested in articles on pretty much any computer/security related topic."

perhaps this is to broad to inspire. maybe asking for articles within a certain "theme" would help. such as this month im looking for articles on internet worms, how they infect how to get rid of them etc. or packet capturing in another. maybe an issue devoted to spyware. so besides just being something to read offline it could actually be a resource.

[MsMittens]

tedob1, I have tried that.. with no success. Because at best I get maybe 5 submissions total having a theme makes it hard to get any.

[Tedob1]

have you trying assigning topics to any that want to write but dont have direction? or maybe a list to choose from, maybe even a reader 'requests' column.

is there a way to assigning anti-points to someone that submits an article. positive only of course or increasing one status on the boards. maybe even a (ssshhh!) anti-point conspiracy among senior members that want this to succeed? not for each other of course...just throwen out ideas.

like we have tuts written and security tuts written, maybe articles submitted?

[Tedob1]

how bout a 'further discussion' forum on the articles for the previous month. some sort of recognition at ao instead of just download and forget.

How 'bout a secret MsMittens decoder ring

[Lansing_Banda]

I think it would be an idea to try and get the writers to learn something and write the tut as they learn. What I am saying is kinda what tedob is saying, make a overall theme and then give topics for the newsletter or better yet questions. I would write if I could learn at the same time. Right now I am reading a big hucking book "Maximum Security," that I really haven't learned anything new from, so there isn't too much that I could write about other than the history of everything or general practices to keeping a system safe.

Ohh, you could also put in a conference list, upcoming events, product reviews, Vulnerabilities of the moment, RSS threads, 101 ways to destroy a computer (one an issue), ending tid-bit on how to protect your system.


ooh, that just spills content. For the next newsletter, at least put in the last two:

Way #045:
Take out or put in the computer's processer with a claw hammer

and

And remember, programs don't update themselves. Whatever OS you are running, be sure to check for updates on your critical applications and OS fairly regularly. For Windows, most programs that need it are almost automated. For Linux, use urpmi, apt-get, or set up a cron job.


The RSS thread of the week could be Antionline's very own

http://www.etv.cx/~the_jinx/ao.xm


For product reviews, whatever. All I have looked at recently is a program called Samurize. Very cool desktop app for all platforms that can be modded to monitor freaking anything. Amazingly easy to program for. I can write a tutorial for how I made mine if you want.

Also, app of the week. For windows and linux (max sorry, I don't use you [max = macs]). For windows, the powertoy set from microsoft which features an amazing multiple desktop app. For linux, wget the best downloading program on the net.

And graphics all freaking over the place. You could feature a desktop of the week/month. I believe negative started a thread about that and got like 100+ replies.

Interveiws if you can get them would be cool (but hard to come by). Say people in the IT field: what they do, how they do it, what all the did/learned to get where they are, tips from them. This could be accomplished by sending an email with some questions to people. They hate answering bug questions, but they love gloating so this should actually be pretty easy just as long as whoever is interviewing makes sure to tell them they are going to be featured in a published source.

Okay, I have said enough. I will get to work on providing you with at least a few of these idea.

[foxyloxley]

From the comment by Lansing_Banda:
Interviews: the membership has John Draper, aka Captain Crunch,
was reading a thread which included his comments last night:
http://www.antionline.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244145

In it he was talking about his latest battle against SPAM.
Perhaps ask him for some more details.........

As for reviews, how about a one off thread, where people can post there ideas, reviews etc, for a straw poll, the AP's give SOME indication. Thread can be cleared, deleted as required by MsM or the moderators.

Take an older tutorial, some of the more esoteric ones, to give them a more public viewing.......

My 2c worth

[SDK]

Quick Suggestion : Why is the Newsletter doesn't take the best of the best tutorial since the last NewsLetter?

I would feel bad if that RainBox Table Tutorial would never show in a AO NewsLetter!

[mark_boyle2002]

We could add a TV guide and posters wives section to drive up ratings.

I might also suggest that horse racing is very popular these days.

I would be willing to pose topless for the next issue if it helps.

Keep up the good work mittens and I look forward to the finished article. !!!!