And what the h is wrong with the web board anyway?
deepstblu
>
> Is there anyone here who also frequents the web boards, who might know why
> they've been inaccessible for over 24 hours? I haven't gotten an answer from
> the "webmaster" yet.
Shall we take bets as to whether this is connected to the fact that last
week's column is still up, late Tuesday night?
Rilchiam
they've been inaccessible for over 24 hours? I haven't gotten an answer from
the "webmaster" yet.
Remember, I'm pulling for you; we're all in this together. ---Red Green
TOMNDEBB
>Date: 2/22/00 10:09 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Is there anyone here who also frequents the web boards, who might know why
>they've been inaccessible for over 24 hours? I haven't gotten an answer from
>the "webmaster" yet.
I initially got a message that said, "Notify x at x...@straightdope.com and
mention what you might have done to kill the MB." I sent off a note to x,
mentioning that I didn't think typing a URL and pressing ENTER should have
caused so much damage.
I got my mail back 6 hours later as "undeliverable." I tacked it on to a new
note to TUBADIVA to let her know that the response procedure was also screwed
up. She ackowledged my note, but said only that it was a "really bad day."
(I do think they ought to change their current screen that says the MB is down
for "routine maintenance." Maybe they can borrow one of the old screens we
used to regularly get on TV back in my youth. "Please stand by. Due to
technical difficulties beyond our control, we cannot bring you the current
program."
Tom~
Rilchiam
>down
>for "routine maintenance." Maybe they can borrow one of the old screens we
>used to regularly get on TV back in my youth. "Please stand by. Due to
>technical difficulties beyond our control, we cannot bring you the current
>program."
>Tom~
>
be back up again. I realize that a problem can sometimes be so overwhelming
that it's not possible to take time away from solving it in order to talk about
it, but the "routine maintenance" message appears not to reply in this
instance. I just would like to know from them if it's possible the board will
be back up tonight, or if I should just give it up until next week.
What do you mean, "kill the board"? Was that a joke?
Rilchiam
>week's column is still up, late Tuesday night?
Yeah, I wondered about that too. Yesterday was a holiday, so I didn't think it
unusual, but today, I guess it's surprising that I can even get on to the main
page.
TOMNDEBB
>Date: 2/22/00 11:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
>What do you mean, "kill the board"? Was that a joke?
Sort of. The actual text on the screen that came up initially (before they
replaced it with the "routine maintenance" screen) was
"The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable
to complete your request.
Please contact the server administrator, x...@www.straightdope.com and
inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done
that may have caused the error."
I just found it odd that entering a URL would prompt a screen asking for
"anything you might have done." It's a bit hard to damage a site if you can't
get into it.
Tom~
Lindy1026
I talked to little Ed this morning and he mumbled something about "technical
glitches." They are apparently going to put in a server dedicated just to the
message boards (the staff board is down, too). He couldn't really tell me when
it was going to come back up, and suggested, in order
Patience
A 12-Step program
Thumbtacks on a cork bulletin board
smoke signals
knives
chalk
telepathy (we nixed this one when we realized it meant that they'd have to
offer Krispy Original a position as a moderator)
You wouldn't BELIEVE the IM's I've been getting from people asking about the
board being down -- I think there's gonna be a riot on the steps of the Chicago
Reader . . . .
-Melin
I'm a woman phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
(Maya Angelou)
Mike Koenecke
(TOMNDEBB) allegedly wrote:
[snip]
>
>(I do think they ought to change their current screen that says the MB is down
>for "routine maintenance." Maybe they can borrow one of the old screens we
>used to regularly get on TV back in my youth. "Please stand by. Due to
>technical difficulties beyond our control, we cannot bring you the current
>program."
>Tom~
Nice to see you around, Tom. I'm posting a question largely directed
at you, since you're the most knowledgeable fellow I know in the
mackerel-snapping department.
---
Mike Koenecke
to reply, change "nowhere" to "cyberramp"
Yer Ranger
"The trouble is in your computer. Call a repairman."
Yer Ranger
"Hear that lonesome winter bird
He sounds too blue to fly"
Mike Koenecke
(Lindy1026) allegedly wrote:
>I talked to little Ed this morning and he mumbled something about "technical
>glitches." They are apparently going to put in a server dedicated just to the
>message boards (the staff board is down, too). He couldn't really tell me when
>it was going to come back up, and suggested, in order
>
>Patience
>A 12-Step program
>Thumbtacks on a cork bulletin board
>smoke signals
>knives
>chalk
>telepathy (we nixed this one when we realized it meant that they'd have to
>offer Krispy Original a position as a moderator)
Damn shame at least one of those options could not have been
misc.facts.straight-dope.
Rilchiam
threads.
LilethSC
>board being down -- I think there's gonna be a riot on the steps of the
>Chicago
>Reader . . . .
Oh, are you back on the staff there on the SD board, Melin? Congratulations!
RM Mentock
> Congratulations!
The board was back up for a bit this morning,
then it went under again.
--
RM Mentock
The war on ignorance begins with me
http://sentient.home.mindspring.com/dan/
TUBADIVA
that REALLY works on the website?
Don't play with poseurs, go to the source, get the STRAIGHT DOPE.
And to answer your question, we have a technical problem. It's turned out to be
a bigger deal than we thought. . . it's been a pretty lousy couple of days
here. However, we think that once we get this fixed, it'll be a long time,
good-to-go kind of thing..
your humble TubaDiva
Who DOES work for the Straight Dope, thankyouverymuch.
Big Iron5
Well, it's good to see everyone's been able to forgive and forget.
Big Iron5
The above was posted somewhat thoughtlessly (more as a general comment on the
situation), but without any knowledge of what may or may not have been going on
lately, and I apologize for the insinuation that Jenny is going out of her way
to stir up trouble here.
TUBADIVA
rough day, or worse, several days . . . when frustration, exhaustion, anger are
the hallmarks of the day . . . you say things that, upon reflection, you
regret.
The worst of that comes when you say something in a forum where you cannot
withdraw it and everybody sees how you exploded, when you lost it.
I did that here, earlier today, and I'm genuinely sorry.
There's no excuse for me losing my cool, but I hope you all understand the
reason.
your humble TubaDiva
not perfect, all too human . . dammit.
Lindy1026
has offered. Sorry if people IM me with questions -- maybe it's because they
know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
Experience tells, and all that.
-Melin
I'm a woman phenomenally
Lindy1026
It's kind of like the guy who was turned down for being a police office -- he
was too smart for the job.
At least we know "plays well with others" isn't a qualification, Terey.
-Melin
JILLGAT
know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are. "
Huh. That doesn't explain why I'm getting so many IMs too, then!
JillGat
Asterbark
>I accept your apology, Jenny -- which is something more than than the
>she-witch
>has offered.
I'm not trying to start something, but it looks like you are. Who is supposed
to accept Jenny's apology? Are we all supposed to make a nicy-nice long thread
accepting Jenny's apology? What the hell are you instigating?
Sorry if people IM me with questions -- maybe it's because they
>know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
>Experience tells, and all that.
>
>-Melin
>
I'll accept your apology for deluding yourself that you're the beacon in a
storm. It's just a message board.
Egads Ron
> It's turned out to be
>a bigger deal than we thought. . . it's been a pretty lousy couple of days
>here. However, we think that once we get this fixed, it'll be a long time,
>good-to-go kind of thing..
Yeah, right. That's what Sears said about my riding lawnmower.
::::grumble::::
+Ron
"For Sale: Riding lawnmower. Cheap."
LilethSC
You'd think so, wouldn't you?
Lindy1026
>>I accept your apology, Jenny -- which is something more than than the
>>she-witch
>>has offered.
>
>
>I'm not trying to start something, but it looks like you are. Who is supposed
>to accept Jenny's apology? Are we all supposed to make a nicy-nice long
>thread
>accepting Jenny's apology? What the hell are you instigating?
Ooo, touchy, aren't we? "She-witch" isn't referring to you, not this time,
anyway. Funny that you thought it did.
-Melin
Lindy1026
>know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
>"
>
>JillGat
>
That's certainly true.
-Melin
Lindy1026
>>It's just a message board.
>
>You'd think so, wouldn't you?
>
Indeed. So one wonders at Jenny's touchiness about someone else daring to
report a conversation had with Ed. Maybe nobody but her is supposed to talk to
him?
-Melin
JILLGAT
>JillGat
>
That's certainly true. - Melin
Well then I'll explain it again. It's because Melin is friendlier and more
accessible than the Straight Dope staff.
Jill
not a she-witch.... this time
CyberSybar2
Cyber(Hey, Ranger?!! Quit hogging the popcorn. Bob?! Stop Bogarting. Did
George go out for more beer?)sybar
LilethSC
>not a she-witch.... this time
See, I was "worse than you" after all!
Shadowfox_00
yerr...@aol.compadre (Yer Ranger) wrote:
> How about this message:
>
> "The trouble is in your computer. Call a repairman."
>
> Yer Ranger
My withdrawal from the web board is so bad, I decided to register and
start posting here. Please ignore the deja.com banners on the bottom
of this post. My *&#$ ISP doesn't offer newsgroups.
Anyhoo, I have also received many ICQ messages and e-mails regarding
the web board, and I don't work for the Straight Dope at all. So I
guess that either makes me real friendly, or real easy :)
--
Shadowfox
Flee at once! All is discovered!
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Asterbark
>Asterbark wrote:
I'm not so touchy except as to wonder who you did mean, why you had to
expressly mention your gracious superiority over someone who (only to your
*limited knowledge of the situation) has not publicly accepted an apology from
someone who never posts here anyway, and where you got the idea that you're the
nicest one of them all.
Aster
"With a good dog and some trees
Out of touch with the breakdown
Of this century" (mitchell)
Lindy1026
>expressly mention your gracious superiority over someone who (only to your
>*limited knowledge of the situation) has not publicly accepted an apology
>from
>someone who never posts here anyway, and where you got the idea that you're
>the
>nicest one of them all.
Why don't you go back and re-read the post you were originally commenting on.
I was not making any comment on anyone NOT accepting an apology, I was
commenting on someone not offering one. Not that I expected them to, of course.
Rebel1011
>>>God, I love a good Cat fight. Carry on girls!!!
Cyber(Hey, Ranger?!! Quit hogging the popcorn. Bob?! Stop Bogarting. Did
George go out for more beer?)sybar<<<<
Wondered where you'd been hiding fella. Trust a little hair pulling and females
spitting to bring ya out. ;)
Kath
I never bark. Makes me look like my chow.
Asterbark
>Asterbark wrote:
>>I'm not so touchy except as to wonder who you did mean, why you had to
>>expressly mention your gracious superiority over someone who (only to your
>>*limited knowledge of the situation) has not publicly accepted an apology
>>from
>>someone who never posts here anyway, and where you got the idea that you're
>>the
>>nicest one of them all.
>
>
>
>Why don't you go back and re-read the post you were originally commenting on.
>
>I was not making any comment on anyone NOT accepting an apology, I was
>commenting on someone not offering one. Not that I expected them to, of
>course.
>
The original post, okay:
lind...@aol.comnospam (Lindy1026) wrote:
>I accept your apology, Jenny -- which is something more than than the
>she-witch
>has offered.
"I accept your apology, Jenny" would have sufficed. But the "she-witch" clause
struck me (and not just me) as gratuitous and plain nasty. It never crossed my
mind that you meant me, but you'll use your grudges to slam anyone to build up
your image and give yourself the prize. I don't credit anyone with intelligence
who buys that tactic.
And the rest:
Sorry if people IM me with questions -- maybe it's because they
>know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
>Experience tells, and all that.
>
>-Melin
I thought it was a good-faith gesture to the corporation to relinquish the
'keys,' but you're still accessing stations you ought not have access to, in
your position. So, not only are you being petty, snide, and sanctimonious, but
sneaky as well, and shouldn't be trusted.
JILLGAT
report a conversation had with Ed. Maybe nobody but her is supposed to talk to
Always generous about accepting those apologies, too, Melin.
LilethSC
>commenting on someone not offering one. Not that I expected them to, of
>course.
>
What on earth for?
Lindy1026
>"I accept your apology, Jenny" would have sufficed. But the "she-witch"
>clause
>struck me (and not just me) as gratuitous and plain nasty. It never crossed
>my
>mind that you meant me, but you'll use your grudges to slam anyone to build
>up
>your image and give yourself the prize. I don't credit anyone with
>intelligence
>who buys that tactic.
>
>
>And the rest:
>
>Sorry if people IM me with questions -- maybe it's because they
>>know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
>
>>Experience tells, and all that.
>>
>>-Melin
>
>
>I thought it was a good-faith gesture to the corporation to relinquish the
>'keys,' but you're still accessing stations you ought not have access to, in
>your position. So, not only are you being petty, snide, and sanctimonious,
>but
>sneaky as well, and shouldn't be trusted.
Terey bitched, as usual, with her uncalled for and snide comment.
And, since you choose to make things public that no one else has, as I told
Jenny yesterday, and I quote:
"Well whoop de friggin' whoop. I never deleted the link to the Staff Room,
which I've actually been to once, when Sam asked me if I'd still do the Hostile
Witness mailbag thing, to check what I wrote over there, and then attempted
when the main board went down to see if it was affecting everything or just
that. And I made such a big friggin' secret of it that I told Ed that I had
tried to go there to see if it was still up when I IM'd with him yesterday --
yup, boy, I sure was trying to hide something. And wow, I've got nothing
better to do with my time than hang out there -- it's such a lively place."
So sorry that I was actually trying to do a favor, as requested, and went over
to the Staff Room to see what I had written in July or whenever so that I could
follow up on that. I didn't *volunteer* to follow-up on the Hostile Witness
mailbag question, I have been asked several times if I would do it, as a favor
to the only staff member with any demonstrated class.
Get your facts straight, bitch, before you make accusations.
-Melin
Asterbark
>
>Get your facts straight, bitch, before you make accusations.
>
>-Melin
>
Whatever excuses you come up with for airing an old-news grudge and sputtering
bitchery just to hoist your own ego make no difference to me. What's it to you,
or any of the rest of us, who did or didn't apologize, or who did or didn't
accept an apology, or who is and isn't holding their breath, waiting to accept
an apology not offered as yet, and who does or doesn't owe an apology,
according to you?
LilethSC
Sheesh, last time I congratulate you. I'm sure you can see how I made the
mistake of thinking you were back on staff there. Sorry I like, outed you or
whatever.
JILLGAT
Available and friendly R Us.
Barbara
>the web board, and I don't work for the Straight Dope at all. So I
>guess that either makes me real friendly, or real easy :)
Or maybe this really isn't some sort of bizzaro world popularity contest,but a
case of people IMing "anyone that's on-line now that might happen to know
something"
But carry on, this is amusing and it's good to see some activity around here.
To be totally selfish, I hope the web board stays down because I miss the old
message board (badly)* and I could never make the web board work in any sort of
functional way for me.
*but at least my apartment gets cleaned more often
Barbara -
"No one with half a brain thinks homosexuals want to "convert" straight people,
destroy the family and traditional marriage, etc."-------Cecil Adams
FW Lev
> God, I love a good Cat fight. Carry on girls!!!
I guess I'm not the only one hoping that the she-bitches hang around
for a little while...
-Lev
Eutychus55
>to the only staff member with any demonstrated class.
Hey!
Patrick Malone
webm...@disneyshorts.org
The Encyclopedia of Disney Animated Shorts
http://www.disneyshorts.org
Rebel1011
>to the only staff member with any demonstrated class.
>>>Hey!- The Saint<<<<
Down Big Boy! Ya got waaaaay to much class for that! ;)
Kath
RM Mentock
> But carry on, this is amusing and it's good to see some activity around here.
> To be totally selfish, I hope the web board stays down because I miss the old
> message board (badly)* and I could never make the web board work in any sort of
> functional way for me.
It do look like people are flocking here.
However, I read this whole thread without a glimmer
of the answer to the subject line. Has anyone else
received this (and is it true?):
************************************
To users of the Straight Dope message boards:
Last weekend the Straight Dope Web site was attacked by hackers. I'm
writing to inform you that the security of your message board IDs and
passwords may have been compromised.
On Friday night February 18, a hacker gained "root level" access to the
Straight Dope Web server and began collecting UNIX password information
from anyone logging on. At that time the hacker also had access to *all*
passwords for registered message board users. On Sunday morning the server
was used as a platform to launch what we assume was a denial-of-service
attack on another Web site.
Monday morning, after we noticed the breach and began security measures,
the hacker evidently crashed the server and tried to sabotage the hard
drives so it couldn't easily be restarted. Since then we have built a new,
separate server for the message board system, but we are still battling the
hacker and as a result the boards have been up and down -- mostly down, as
you've probably noticed.
The important thing for you to know is that your password info is not
secure. The hacker or someone else who receives that info may be able to
impersonate you on our message boards. If you use the same passwords on
other sites, you may be vulnerable there as well.
We're doing our best to beef up our security and get the boards running
trouble-free. We're sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your
patience.
Mike Lenehan
Web editor
***************************************
--
RM Mentock
The war on ignorance begins with me
http://sentient.home.mindspring.com/dan/
LilethSC
>for a little while...
>
>
>-Lev
>
Lev, I have never stopped loving you.
FixedBack
>
>
>George go out for more beer?)sybar
>
This has been truly unforgettable. ::::standing well back from the firing line
to avoid ricochets:::::
Carry on ladies.
FixedBack
<ducking, running>
JILLGAT
received this (and is it true?):]]
Yep, that's real and it's from The Man Lenehan.
Jill
LilethSC
>line
>to avoid ricochets:::::
>Carry on ladies.
>
OK, I just ripped Jill's shirt off...oh, wait, I'm on her side. Sorry.
FixedBack
>
>However, I read this whole thread without a glimmer
>received this (and is it true?):
I received it too, and somehow think it's prolly true.
FixedBack
~~~~~"When learned men begin to use their reason, then I generally discover
that they haven't got any." - G.K. Chesterton 1908~~~~~
JILLGAT
Did you see it in a box? Did you read it with a fox?
Would you believe it in a train? Would you, even in the rain?
JILLGAT
But you know me. If you hadn't've, I would have.
Big Iron5
>
>
>Cyber(Hey, Ranger?!! Quit hogging the popcorn. Bob?! Stop Bogarting. Did
>George go out for more beer?)sybar
>
This has been truly unforgettable. ::::standing well back from the firing line
to avoid ricochets:::::
Carry on ladies.}} FixedBack
And just in time for my next get-rich-quick scheme, the "She-witches of MFSD"
Calendar!
Pope Bob
" ...oil 'em up!"
Jules
>And just in time for my next get-rich-quick scheme, the "She-witches of MFSD"
>Calendar!
Couldn't be any worse than the "Studmuffins of Science" calendar in which my
company's CEO was featured a few years back. Aaaaaaack!
(envision Stephen Hawking in a g-string)
TOMNDEBB
>Date: 2/24/00 8:06 PM Eastern Standard Time
(Quoting Mr. Lenahan:)
>a hacker gained "root level" access to the
>Straight Dope Web server and began collecting UNIX password information
>from anyone logging on. At that time the hacker also had access to *all*
>passwords for registered message board users. On Sunday morning the server
>was used as a platform to launch what we assume was a denial-of-service
>attack on another Web site.
>
>Monday morning, after we noticed the breach and began security measures,
>the hacker evidently crashed the server and tried to sabotage the hard
>drives so it couldn't easily be restarted. Since then we have built a new,
>separate server for the message board system, but we are still battling the
>hacker and as a result the boards have been up and down -- mostly down, as
>you've probably noticed.
>
>The important thing for you to know is that your password info is not
>secure. The hacker or someone else who receives that info may be able to
>impersonate you on our message boards. If you use the same passwords on
>other sites, you may be vulnerable there as well.
OK. The SDMB passwords are compromised. (With no SDMB, that hardly seems a
serious issue until the board comes back.)
What is the issue with «other» passwords. I don't remember sending an ISP
password to the SDMB. (Of course, I'm not a UNIX user.)
Aside from the hassle of changing passwords on the SDMB when it comes back,
what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
missing, here?
Tom~
David Zeiger
>What is the issue with «other» passwords. I don't remember sending an ISP
>password to the SDMB. (Of course, I'm not a UNIX user.)
>
>Aside from the hassle of changing passwords on the SDMB when it comes back,
>what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
>missing, here?
>Tom~
Some people may use the same password in several places. I've
been known to do it myself for places where security is not
an overriding concern.
So if a particular cracker knows my username and password
to one site, and knows I access another site as well, they
may be able to access that other site too.
--
David Zeiger dze...@the-institute.net
Whenever I find myself in a difficult situation, I ask myself "What
Would Jesus Do?" The mental image of my opposition being cast into
pits of hellfire for all eternity *is* comforting, but probably not
what the inventors of the phrase had in mind.
Dutch Courage
>Did
>George go out for more beer?
I recently quit drinking.
"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn
human actions, but to understand them" -Spinoza
"The ridiculing and scorn, that's just gravy."-Courage
TOMNDEBB
>Date: 2/24/00 11:10 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Some people may use the same password in several places. I've
>been known to do it myself for places where security is not
>an overriding concern.
>
>So if a particular cracker knows my username and password
>to one site, and knows I access another site as well, they
>may be able to access that other site too.
>
OK, I guess. Since my SDMB password was assigned by them, it never occurred to
me to use it elsewhere. (Passwords that *I* pick are liable to be the same
across different systems, but I don't usually propagate passwords that were
assigned to me by others.)
Tom~
Dutch Courage
Isn't "she-bitch" a pleonasm?
Mike Koenecke
allegedly wrote:
So much for any notions of getting romantic with my wife tonight.
Thanks a lot.
---
Mike Koenecke
to reply, change "nowhere" to "cyberramp"
Lynn Bodoni
>to
>me to use it elsewhere. (Passwords that *I* pick are liable to be the same
>across different systems, but I don't usually propagate passwords that were
>assigned to me by others.)
Ummmm, you can change your password on the web board, you know. Click on
Profile, then delete your old password and type in another one.
Lynn
Lynn Bodoni
>I do think they ought to change their current screen that says the MB is down
>for "routine maintenance."
That would pull someone away from actually fixing the board. Right now, we
want every tech fixing the board, rather than putting up new messages.
Lynn
Lynn Bodoni
>what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
>missing, here?
>Tom~
My husband used to use the same password for ALL of his secure stuff. And the
word was in the dictionary too. He finally changed his ways when our account
was compromised. I allow him to use one password on no more that two accounts
now.
Lynn
Lynn Bodoni
>know I'm generally more available and friendlier than most of the staff are.
>"
>
>Huh. That doesn't explain why I'm getting so many IMs too, then!
>JillGat
Heh, I've gotten hardly any. Of course, I'm not usually online during the day,
only in the evening and night.
Plus, of course, I'm a cast-iron bitch.
Lynn
Yer Ranger
>>>God, I love a good Cat fight. Carry on girls!!!
George go out for more beer?)sybar<<<<
Wondered where you'd been hiding fella. Trust a little hair pulling and females
spitting to bring ya out. ;) Kath
You know, this seems like a good time for me to go find out where those wild
geese fly.
Yer Ranger
"Hear that lonesome winter bird
He sounds too blue to fly"
Yer Ranger
>
>>Did
>>George go out for more beer?
>
>I recently quit drinking.
Wait till you promise your brother-in-law that you'll go up and watch his still
while he goes into town to vote.
Ranger ( Tyler, I remember) Jeff
LilethSC
Which is what made it even funnier when "she-witch" was first used. To me, at
least. I do think "witch" implies "she". Far be it from me to prevent people
from being, um, creative, though.
-Ursula the She-Witch
CyberSybar2
>On 25 Feb 2000 03:51:00 GMT, TOMNDEBB <tomn...@aol.comnet.org> wrote:
>>What is the issue with «other» passwords. I don't remember sending an ISP
>>password to the SDMB. (Of course, I'm not a UNIX user.)
>>
>>Aside from the hassle of changing passwords on the SDMB when it comes back,
>>what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
>>missing, here?
>>Tom~
>
>Some people may use the same password in several places. I've
>been known to do it myself for places where security is not
>an overriding concern.
>
>So if a particular cracker knows my username and password
>to one site, and knows I access another site as well, they
>may be able to access that other site too.
Well, then, I hope they like porn.
Cyber(Uhh, not me, I was talking about George's account and password)sybar
Ty
Profile, then delete your old password and type in another one.] Lynn
Of course, this can't be done until the board is up and running again.... at
least I can't find any way to get there from the SD home page. Did I miss
something, Lynn? (Wouldn't be the first time!)
StoryTyler
Not everybody does it, but everybody should.
PUNditOK
>>what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
>>missing, here?
>>Tom~
>
The one place that could potentially be a big problem would be if you have an
AOL mailing address and used the same password for both the board and AOL. The
hacker could (potentially) enter your account and if it is a master account
could get quite a bit of info on you. Also if you had favorite placed some
shopping places that use cookies to store your info, they could order things on
your card and have them shipped elsewhere. Other than that, I don't see that
there could be much damage.
PUN
RM Mentock
>
> [Ummmm, you can change your password on the web board, you know. Click on
> Profile, then delete your old password and type in another one.] Lynn
>
> Of course, this can't be done until the board is up and running again.... at
> least I can't find any way to get there from the SD home page. Did I miss
> something, Lynn? (Wouldn't be the first time!)
The message at the homepage says that the site has been
restored *except* for SDMB--someone else, in afca, said
that html was not going to be allowed anymore. O well.
--
RM Mentock
The war on ignorance begins with me
http://sentient.home.mindspring.com/dan/
RM Mentock
>
> cyber...@aol.com (CyberSybar2) writes:
>
> >Did
> >George go out for more beer?
>
> I recently quit drinking.
How soon do we start back up?
TUBADIVA
Okay, who hacked into George's account?
your humble TubaDiva
"I don't drink any more -- or any less."
TUBADIVA
>>I guess I'm not the only one hoping that the she-bitches hang around
>>for a little while...
>>
>>
>>-Lev
>>
>
>Lev, I have never stopped loving you.
>
>
your humble TubaDiva
come on up and see us sometime!
TUBADIVA
>However, I read this whole thread without a glimmer
>of the answer to the subject line. Has anyone else
>received this (and is it true?):
>
>
>To users of the Straight Dope message boards:
>
>Last weekend the Straight Dope Web site was attacked by hackers. I'm
>writing to inform you that the security of your message board IDs and
>passwords may have been compromised.
>
Unfortunately, yes, it's true.
However, we're gonna try to get the board back up . . . try it now.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator
The Straight Dope
TUBADIVA
>what is the real exposure to Joe or Jane Poster? Is there something I'm
>missing, here?
>Tom~
Mostly it's the inconvenience of changing your password. (Be sure to kill off
the old "cookie" before you change, or the system will simply insert the old
password into the box when you sign back in.)
Of course, if you use the same password for EVERYTHING, I'd consider changing
all that too. (It's not a good idea anyway.)
TUBADIVA
>restored *except* for SDMB--someone else, in afca, said
>that html was not going to be allowed anymore. O well.
>
That's true. Can't take the risk.
The Powers That Be really wanted to give the Teeming Millions as much latitude
as possible, but security considerations now override everything else.
your humble TubaDiva
RM Mentock
html killed the board? O...nevermind, the board is up.
See ya
FixedBack
>AOL mailing address and used the same password for both the board and AOL.
>The
>hacker could (potentially) enter your account and if it is a master account
>could get quite a bit of info on you. Also if you had favorite placed some
>shopping places that use cookies to store your info, they could order things
>on
>your card and have them shipped elsewhere. Other than that, I don't see that
>there could be much damage.
>
>
>PUN
I don't even USE the master account for anything but to be the master account.
Don't surf with it, don't order anything with it, just open it up periodically
to change the password or make changes to the other SNs.
As for shopping, well, I'm beginning to think I should have a SN for nothing
else but online shopping, while using the FixedBack SN for MBs and such. That
way, if something blows up at one shopping site, I only have to cancel the SN
and vacuum out the cookies. Or is there something I'm overlooking?
FixedBack
~~~~~"When learned men begin to use their reason, then I generally discover
that they haven't got any." - G.K. Chesterton 1908~~~~~
Lindy1026
>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.
-Melin
I'm a woman phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.
(Maya Angelou)
JILLGAT
>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.]]
Huh.
DICK MACY
Lynn
Now, Lynn..... having met you (only once, 'tis true, but still...) I simply
cannot think of you as a cast-iron bitch. No way.
Dick
Maybe a Teflon bitch......
LilethSC
>>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
>
>In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.
Well, thanks for clearing that up! I'd sure hate to be incorrect or anything.
Mike Koenecke
(Lindy1026) allegedly wrote:
>>To me, at
>>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
>
>In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.
Oh phooey on them anyway. I don't care what they may say, a male witch
is a warlock.
Big Iron5
{{>>To me, at
>>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
>
>In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.}}
Saw a bumper sticker today that read, "Couldn't make it to church, I was too
busy practicing witchcraft and becoming a lesbian."
Lindy1026
>Oh phooey on them anyway. I don't care what they may say, a male witch
>is a warlock.
>---
>Mike Koenecke
Mike, do you use the "n" word when referring to black people? Do you talk abou
"jewing down" the price of an item? I guess you don't care that these people
may say they don't like these words when applied to them?
The word "warlock" means oathbreaker. It is considered very offensive by
modern day male witches.
Mike Koenecke
(Lindy1026) allegedly wrote:
>>
>>Oh phooey on them anyway. I don't care what they may say, a male witch
>>is a warlock.
>>---
>>Mike Koenecke
>
>Mike, do you use the "n" word when referring to black people? Do you talk abou
>"jewing down" the price of an item? I guess you don't care that these people
>may say they don't like these words when applied to them?
>
>The word "warlock" means oathbreaker. It is considered very offensive by
>modern day male witches.
Yes, the Anglo-Saxon root is from oathbreaker. But the definition is
"a sorcerer or wizard." No, I would not call male Wiccans "warlocks."
Nor would I call them"witches," either, to be frank. I would call them
all "Wiccans." A witch is defined as "one who practices the black art,
or magic; one regarded as possessing supernatural or magical power by
compact with an evil spirit; esp. with the Devil; a sorcerer or
sorceress; -- now applied to women only." Now, I'm sure they all like
to call themselves "witches," but their personal definition of the
term does not affect the way I use the term. I will accept another
definition: "What Wiccans refer to themselves as." Fine, but it's not
the way the word is and has been commonly used. If I read the word
"witch" or "warlock" in a book, I do not think "a practitioner of the
Wiccan religion," and I daresay there are precious few non-Wiccans who
would define the terms that way.
Then again, I'm one who thinks that there is actually a right way and
a wrong way to say things in English, which puts me completely out of
step with prevailing sentiment.
Dutch Courage
>>To me, at
>>least. I do think "witch" implies "she".
>
>In modern usage this is incorrect. Ask OpalCat.
I think it unlikely whoever was describing a Wiccan of the female gender, thus
"she-witch," or "she-bitch" is pretty funny, still
Dutch "he-man woman hater" Courage
"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn
human actions, but to understand them" -Spinoza
"The ridiculing and scorn, that's just gravy."-Courage
Dutch Courage
>>
>>Oh phooey on them anyway. I don't care what they may say, a male witch
>>is a warlock.
>>---
>>Mike Koenecke
>
>Mike, do you use the "n" word when referring to black people?
Nice? Neat? Nifty?
> Do you talk
>abou
>"jewing down" the price of an item?
Ever have a chink in your armor? Get things spic and span? nip at someone's
heels? Scotch someone's plan?
> I guess you don't care that these people
>may say they don't like these words when applied to them?
We've had this discussion before, and basically concluded "Witches" aren't
really "witches."
>The word "warlock" means oathbreaker. It is considered very offensive by
>modern day male witches.
You know, except there aren't any, and really, truly, I consider male Witches
to be silly.
JILLGAT
to calling a black person a "nigger"?
Discuss.
Yer Ranger
>to calling a black person a "nigger"?
>Discuss.
I suppose the easiest way to find out is to ask an Male practicer of the Wiccan
faith who is of African descent?
Yer Ranger
"Hear that lonesome winter bird
He sounds too blue to fly"
LilethSC
>thus
>"she-witch," or "she-bitch" is pretty funny, still
>
Almost as funny as outrage at the word "warlock" being politically incorrect.
Lindy1026
>Is calling a person who calls himself a "witch" a "warlock" really comparable
>to calling a black person a "nigger"?
>Discuss.
Hmm, so in JillGat's world it's not okay to offend someone based on the color
of their skin, but it is okay to offend them based on their religion.
And is anyone surprised by this?
JILLGAT
disallowed from eating in certain restaurants, going to certain schools, etc.
etc. etc. etc.?
I think we can discuss this without personal insults. What do you guys think?
Asterbark
>
>JillGat wrote
>>Is calling a person who calls himself a "witch" a "warlock" really
>comparable
>>to calling a black person a "nigger"?
>>Discuss.
>
>Hmm, so in JillGat's world it's not okay to offend someone based on the color
>of their skin, but it is okay to offend them based on their religion.
>
>And is anyone surprised by this?
>
I'm surprised you think your flippant use of the word "witch" as an insult
wouldn't count as an offensive betrayal to your Wiccan friends. I mean, give
*them* a bad name while you're at it, hey, who are you to them? Unless, of
course, you had meant it as a compliment...
>I'm a woman phenomenally
> Phenomenal woman
> That's me.
>
>(Maya Angelou)
>
>
I've been offended for some time by your .sig. It's a disgrace to womankind
that you believe yourself to be a phenomenally phenomenal example of one, not
even in your own words.
Aster
"With a good dog and some trees
Out of touch with the breakdown
Of this century" (mitchell)
David Bloomberg
news:20000227170415...@ng-fg1.aol.com...
> JillGat wrote
> >Is calling a person who calls himself a "witch" a "warlock" really
comparable
> >to calling a black person a "nigger"?
> >Discuss.
>
> Hmm, so in JillGat's world it's not okay to offend someone based on the
color
> of their skin, but it is okay to offend them based on their religion.
>
> And is anyone surprised by this?
Hmmm, so in Melin's world, Jill asking a question and looking for discussion
is equal to Jill giving an answer that Melin doesn't like.
And is anyone surprised by this?
"To the degree that a culture disengages itself from reliance on magic
and superstition, it has advanced. To the degree that it admits magic
in its operations, it is primitive." -- Alfred Louis Kroeber
JILLGAT
a male a warlock (which is supported by the dictionary, btw) to calling a black
person a nigger. Since Melin chose, instead, to assume what MY opinion was,
I'll give what mine actually is. Wicca is a fringe religion that most of us
know little about. Because of that, the huge percentage of us would use the
term "warlock" because we didn't know that it is apparently now considered
incorrect by those who practice this. Calling someone a "nigger" is quite a
different thing, in my opinion. But I certainly don't want to fight with
Melin, so I'll go back to my own board now.
Jill
(I'm wondering how Melin will respond to asterbark, however. I think Melin
owes the witches a public apology)
Lindy1026
>How many of these modern "witches" and "warlocks" been strung up by a rope or
>disallowed from eating in certain restaurants, going to certain schools, etc.
>etc. etc. etc.?
Oh Jill, your ignorance is showing. Again. The government, at least, is not
prohibiting black people from being open about their blackness in jail, in the
military, or in schools. The same is emphatically not true of those who
identify themselves as witches, or as pagans. They have within the last couple
of years been subject to regulations forbidding them from holding their worship
services on military bases (no other religion has been subjected to this -- and
I do believe that policy has now been changed), forbidden from wearing
pentagrams at school (crosses, crescents, and six-pointed stars are
permitted), and not permitted to engage in their worship services in prison.
Ignorant people assume they are devil worshipers and act accordingly.
Denying that another group has been and is still being persecuted does nothing
to advance the cause of any other group that has been and is being persecuted.
-Melin
Dutch Courage
>JillGat wrote
>>Is calling a person who calls himself a "witch" a "warlock" really
>comparable
>>to calling a black person a "nigger"?
>>Discuss.
>
>Hmm, so in JillGat's world it's not okay to offend someone based on the color
>of their skin,
I would hope in everyone's world.
> but it is okay to offend them based on their religion.
Who is it who used "witch," which I seem to recall comes from a root meaning
"necromancer", derogatively?
Anyway, Warlock meant male hoodoo'er ( And many a dopette is looking for a
male hoodoo'er, from what I read) long before anyone thought that was anything
like being Catholic, 'er sump'in.
>
>And is anyone surprised by this?
Jill's rationality has ever been a cool drink on a hot day, so, no, no
surprises there.
Dutch Courage, who'd do ya, love.
Lindy1026
>>I'm a woman phenomenally
>> Phenomenal woman
>> That's me.
>>
>>(Maya Angelou)
>>
>>
>
>
>that you believe yourself to be a phenomenally phenomenal example of one, not
>even in your own words.
>
>
>
>
>Aster
>"With a good dog and some trees
>Out of touch with the breakdown
>Of this century" (mitchell)
Maybe if you spent more time considering yourself a phenomenal woman, less time
trying to tear down others, you'd be a happier person.