Computer Geek freepers, I need help covering my tracks.

2/07/05 | Luigi Vasellini

[KJC1]

Have they threatened you in any way?

I don't want to freak you out, but I just happened to be reading this on Michelle Malkin's blog.
http://michellemalkin.com/archives/001449.htm

[Free and Armed]

I don't know crap about computers, but good luck with that. I'll tell you, I don't mean to sound like I'm trying to be a tough guy or a drama queen, and I'm not trying to make you paranoid, but if I started getting threats from local Muslims, my home would go to DEFCON 1 after reading those stories about Muslims tracking down "infidels" online then murdering them. I mean all my rifles would be loaded and ready to go so the rest of the family could pick them up and use 'em, and the doors would remain locked until the threats subsided. Not all of them are bad, but Islam is a dangerous cult, and you just can't trust the ones who spew violence out of their mouths. Those in our own borders who do that crap should be taken very seriously. I hope the hospital nails those bastards.

[Free and Armed]

I'll revise that. You can't trust most Muslims, whether they speak of violence or not. Anyone who adheres to that stupid religion can't be trusted.

[NerdDad]

Yep. Got friends like that myself.

One was my super when I was in the AF and trained me in these actions. When some jerk would get under his skin he had a bud in Europe that he would send the guy's payroll jacket to. (Yes, I'm so old we still used paper pay jackets when I was in the AF) His bud would turn it around and send it right back of course. The thing is, a couple pay periods would have passed by the time all this was transacted. Holey joes traveling between squadron admin types don't move with the greatest of speed.

The lesson rarely had to be repeated.

I learned quickly that this circuitous route was the best manner to use when it was necessary to draw attention to various illegal/unethical activities. Especially if the suspect behavior involved persons of higher rank. Read: "Never talk to the IG or OSI on your own base."

And your point about those favors having to be repaid is also very true. If used properly it is used rarely and can be devastatingly effective.

[hiredhand]

Hey! I remember Holey joes! ....also when the entire 26.0.0.0/8 net was MILNET. :-) ...and when all USAF UNIX hosts had class A addresses! ....AND when RIP was exchanging routes (talking about a BOG) on the backbone! It all used to run on those beastly BBN C-75 (and later C-300) packet switches running a VERY proprietary protocol set on the backbone that only made us "think" we were using IP. It was IP on the endpoints, but something VERY different in the middle!

Actually (and I'll certainly date myself by writing this), but I remember "high speed" 600 baud modems that used a modulation scheme like NOTHING else on the planet (of course!)....Oh yeah....and they had big ole (hot!) vacuum tubes in them too! :-)...and PBXs and telephone switches that had relays....made a LOT of noise, consumed a LOT of power, and made a LOT of heat.

Well...anyway....yes I agree with you. Friends like we're talking about are invaluable, and there's a LOT more "value add" than going it alone. :-)

[NerdDad]

You're just a baby. Let me date myself. There were no networks when I was in the AF. What became MILNET was just becoming DARPA when I got out. Got my first 300 baud modem after I got out and went to work for an accountant.

I was the first admin type in ATC to put a computer on a squadron desktop. Purchased myself--an Osborne "portable"--26 lbs, 5 inch CRT and 2 90k floppies. Built the 232 interface to lash it to a Royal electronic typewriter. Finished my career with a Trash 80 Mod 3 and DW-II. Impressed the hell out of the ORI and IG guys during inspection time.

The only computer on the base that the AF owned was that gawd-awful Burroughs in CBPO. The one that took 2 hours for the drum to spin up or down. Lightning within 10 miles? Shut down the system.

One of those friends we're talking about ran that Burroughs. "Now sarge, you know we can't kick out a specific SSN for a random pee card. That's why they call it random. But now, if you give me the number, I can start my search from that point when I set up the run."

Never failed to get a card with the number I needed on it. And never failed to get a positive when they went to pee.

[hiredhand]

Wow....You were going away just as I was arriving! I did actually see ARPANET turn into MILNET. I left AD in 1998 or so, but even then there was ancient equipment still in service, especially where we interfaced with the FAA. Man....the very term "ORI" nearly throws me into flashbacks. :-) I'm glad I never have to go through one of those. ...and the ole "pee test". :-) I never put anything into my carcass that showed up on a pee test, but I knew more than a few who had their careers (and sometimes their lives!) altered on account of it.

I worked on a team in 1990 at WPAFB to move the AFLC (I think it's AFMC now) logistics systems operations center (LSOC) across the street. There were some disc packs on old computers in there that probably weighed 25 lbs and held a "whopping" 10 megabytes. :-) We took several out to the range (because they were throwing them away) and shot them up. Then brought them back, and hung the platters on the wall at the workcenter. Our NCOIC got nervous that we were under "stress" from the project. We assured him that we were NOT....but not everybody else on that project knew it, and a lot of people calmed down around me and my partner because of this. :-)

I think back on it sometimes though...and have to admit that I (sort of) miss it. :-)