General discussion

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  • #2241652

    Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

    Locked

    by nonapeptide ·

    Let’s create a standard, courteous (yes, I said and truly mean _courteous_) response that can be cut and pasted into a post. We’ll designate a few people as the “Password Recovery” responders who will paste that canned response into a message. We will agree that only the designated responders will post in that thread and only with the agreed upon response.

    I don’t see how multiple responses that essentially say the same thing are useful. They don’t seem to dissuade folks from posting password recovery questions and they waste time for those who feel compelled to respond to them (and those of us who have a morbid fascination to see how the latest password recovery attempt was flamed 😉 )

    Here’s a roadmap for this plan:
    1. Agree to have a canned response to password recovery questions.
    [if the previous suggestion is agreed upon, then proceed to the following:]
    2. Propose and ratify the text for an informative, simple, and courteous response to password recovery questions (which would, for the sake of everyone not in the know, include a header saying that this is a canned response and a final sentence asking that no one else respond to the thread.)
    3. Designate one, two, or three established members as responders.

    I propose a motion to make a canned response. Do I hear a second?

All Comments

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2651863

      A question of practicality.

      by deepsand ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Were it the case that 1) the “Designated 1st Responders” were always aware of such requests on a timely basis, and 2) [b]all[/b] TR members were [b]both[/b] aware of and adherent to such a policy, then and only then would such be workable.

      How can these necessary prerequisite conditions be met?

    • #2652398

      I have a standard response

      by tig2 ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      No one on this site will answer questions of this nature. Please contact your manufacturer or system administrator for additional assistance.

      There will always be those who need to say more. I am not willing to police them.

      • #2652396

        you are

        by jaqui ·

        In reply to I have a standard response

        to nice, I think they should be told to run dban. ]:)

        Darik’s Boot And Nuke.

        wipe that hard drive completely clean of data. ]:)

        get the silly **cker fired.

        • #2652392

          Either that or

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to you are

          electrocute themselves :0

          I was thinking about writing a new one, where they stick the grounding wire up their :0 :0

        • #2652391

          hmmmmm

          by jaqui ·

          In reply to Either that or

          thumbs up for that one, I chuckled. ]:)

          now, can I get anyone to help me fix a computer tomorrow after work…

          I’ll see how effective it is that grounding method, both rectally and orally grounding. ]:)

          if I can find a sucker that is.

    • #2652390

      No!!!

      by the scummy one ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Honestly I wouldnt mind it, but as deepsand has pointed out, this will not work. It is doomed to fail.

      Just wondering though, who would have been picked to send a response???
      Why choose 1, 2, or 3 people? Even with 3 there could be lapses of coverage (dr. appointment, off time, out drinking, etc..). What, are we going to tell these 3 people not to have a life at all because they have to wait for a PW crack post???

      Tis an interesting idea, but, I would likely still post some of my ‘dangerous fixes’, just cause I can’t help myself sometimes

      • #2641388

        The first few names that come to my mind could probably write a monitor

        by neon samurai ·

        In reply to No!!!

        I’m guessing it wouldn’t be beyond a few of the regular’s skill (but possibly beyond interest) to simply write a program to monitor the site and respond on there behalf.. Beers with teh boys/girls *and* a little slap-around for the “I wanna jack this computer” questions.

        Actually, it’d be ammusing to see that little program but only for interest of the problem and solution. In reality, you and the previous are more realistic by pointing out that it’s not a simple thing to do. Really, it’d have to be a TR staffling (what’s the intern doing after they fetch coffee?) and us responding to PW questions racks up more add displays than cutting the question short.

    • #2652337

      Courteous? You mean that telling them to drop dead isn’t courteous? :^0

      by maniacman ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Oh well, I guess I’ll have to resort to the more courteous phrase of “Go +*$@%& yourself” when someone requests password cracking assistance. :^0

    • #2652336

      Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      As Deepsand and Pond Scum pointed out, the “first responder” idea was flawed and completely superfluous. There is no need for a specific group of people to be selected for this task. Whoever sees it first can respond first.

      As to how this template response would be propagated to other / future members, there could be a explanation within the message itself. Here’s a rough draft of what I’m thinking:


      Subject:
      TechRepublic can not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to this thread.
      Body:
      ***The following is a standardized response for questions concerning recovering or “cracking” lost passwords.***

      TechRepublic cannot assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. Please understand our position. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and thusly cannot in good conscience assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic. If you persists, your account could be subject to termination.

      To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread. This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it (unmodified) as a standard reply for questions of similar nature.

      Okay, that last sentence was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but you get the idea. Maybe we can refine this?

      Seriosuly, I don’t find the DBAN, fdisk, diskpart, et. al. suggestions to be amusing anymore. As we often say, we don’t know the motives of the person requesting the information so they may or may not deserve to have their HD nuked. It’s not for us to say. Let’s just be short and sweet with the topic and get on to more productive things. No?

      Merry Christmas.

      Nonapeptide

      • #2652330

        “and get on to more productive things. No?”

        by boxfiddler ·

        In reply to Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

        You are ignoring the fact that TR is a place to get together to do whatever, whether productive or not. If some members wish to let off some steam by blasting certain types of posters, why should they not?

        It is patently obvious to any poster that takes the time to explore this site that no one is going to help them. And that they will, as likely as not, be blasted for their effort to get members to help them hack passwords. Any poster that doesn’t take the time to explore this place before asking such questions, deserves to be blasted.

        I say blast em if you must, and let the rest of us get a giggle out of it. And let the nitwit poster get a lesson in ethics.

        • #2652314

          Maybe I should lay of the GTD curriculum

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to “and get on to more productive things. No?”

          and burn my 43 folders.

          Maybe I should explain where I’m coming from. I’m a bit gunshy about flaming newbies and trolls. As for newbies, having been one myself, I worry that one noob getting flamed (even if they could have avoided it with a simple google search) might scare off other tender noobs that could potentially become productive members. While they can be a bit irritating to be sure, I have tended to ere on the side of patience for first and even second offenses. If not for the newbie’s sake, for the sake of the atmosphere of the forum. As for trolls (intentional and unintentional), it seemed to me that a forum can become somewhat dragged down by over-zealous responses. But, if most of the forum’s citizens don’t see anything that needs a fixin’, then let’s brush up on our fdisk syntax! Woo Hoo!! 😉

          So, do I take it that the template response is a dud? Shall this idea be sent to /dev/null?

          While it’s still the 25th in North America, let me say one more “Merry Christmas”

        • #2652210
          Avatar photo

          You need to add

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to Maybe I should lay of the GTD curriculum

          For them to contact either M$ or their System Builder as well for Windows Passwords and their System Builder for BIOS or Power On Passwords.

          Col

        • #2642849

          Duly noted

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to You need to add

          Thanks!

        • #2652303

          “why should they not?” Look at the title.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to “and get on to more productive things. No?”

          “TechRepublic – A Resource for IT [b]Professionals[/b]”

          What that means to me is that I’d rather not encourage trolls to keep trolling for help cracking passwords.

          boxfiddler: [i]I say blast em if you must, and let the rest of us get a giggle out of it. And let the nitwit poster get a lesson in ethics.[/i]

          They keep coming back for more. The “blasts” seem to encourage them.

      • #2652299

        After several replies from people unwilling to help you write it.

        by absolutely ·

        In reply to Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

        …I think it’s pretty clear that you cannot expect a lot of activity on this particular open source project. However, I’ll be happy to contribute the following edits and make them available, and I suspect a few other members will be willing to [u]use[/u] such a canned we-don’t-help-crack-passwords message.

        [/i]Title:
        TechRepublic does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to this thread.

        TechRepublic – A Resource for IT Professionals, will not assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic. If you persist, your account could be terminated.

        To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread. This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.[/i]

        I like it, and I like that you released it under a GNU General Public License. I’ll store a local version, and link another one to my Workspace for any peers who agree with us that it’s a good idea.

        PS Since the above content is all plain English and not not any programming language, I suggest the Free Art License

        Free Art License 1.3


        of the Free Documentation License
        http://www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html

        • #2652208
          Avatar photo

          ABS just 1 point here

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to After several replies from people unwilling to help you write it.

          RE [i]If you persist, your account could be terminated[/i]

          As none of us officially work for TR I don’t think that it’s acceptable to make out that we have some kind of control over the Site Owners Activities.

          TR puts this Play Space here for us to use quite nicely I might add but they still need to make money from the site in the form of Add Revenue or it will disappear completely. To do this they need to attract new members so that they can justify their Add Prices with the Large Membership of IT related people here.

          The rest is fine with me when I’m in a Good Mood at least but I really do not think that it’s proper to talk for the site owners here.

          Col

        • #2642854

          I didn’t think that implied that *we* were the ones who do the banning

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to ABS just 1 point here

          It’s kinda like if I holler at my neighbor’s kids to stop trespassing on someone’s property. I can’t do the arresting and the property that they’re trespassing on might not even be mine. However, it’s just a warning that if they do that they’re risking being nabbed by the property owner, cops, or both.

          We’re saying that TR might find it beneficial to terminate their account if they keep posting threads that degrade the quality of the site’s atmosphere (thusly reducing the number of serious professionals that want to hang out here who bring TR revenue).

          Is that logical or not? I’ll note that in my workspace, but haven’t taken it out of the template just yet…

        • #2642835

          TR doesn’t ban people who ask for hacks

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to I didn’t think that implied that *we* were the ones who do the banning

          And the lion’s share of the time the problem self corrects because the OP never comes back. So I would agree with HAL- the statement is inappropriate.

          I have seen people kicked for the way they replied to a password crack. That is where those threads go awry.

        • #2642829

          Case closed

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to TR doesn’t ban people who ask for hacks

          No threats of account deletion. I’ll update the template.

        • #2642823

          You know Nona

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Case closed

          This isn’t a bad idea and I have seen ThumbsUp use it once already. Just recognize that adoption- especially given the variety of folks here- is gonna take awhile.

          When you start feeling like you are not only swimming upstream but up hill as well is generally when you are really making best headway.

          Beth has been after us all for awhile to learn to just hit the spam button and leave the thread alone. Not everyone will play that way, but it has gotten better. I’ll bet she’d love it if we did the same with hack questions.
          🙂

        • #2642820

          What does the spam button accomplish?

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Case closed

          Being so small and unassuming, the spam link evaded me until very recently. Also, noone seems to talk about it much. What does it do? Does the big red flashing light in TR’s datacenter start spinning around? Do submarine dive klaxons start blaring? Does a crack team of ninjas get dispatched to karate-chop the offender?

          Seriosuly, what role does the spam button play in this proposed template response scheme? I’ve never used it before. ::hangs head in shame::

          As for widespread adoption, if just a handful of folks could consistently use it, it might rub off on others. I wasn’t aiming for total adoption; a majority percentage would be helpful.

          We’ll see what happens.

        • #2642809

          The SPAM button

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Case closed

          Sends an email to the PTB warning that there is a post that needs to be deleted. You press it from the offending post and it links that post in the email and adds your email address as the origination point.

          It has been a really helpful tool, not only for us but for the PTB as well. They can jump on things much more quickly and that helps them keep a semblance of control. But it doesn’t always work. Like I said- this can be a pretty rowdy bunch. Your asbestos overcoat will come in handy in just about any thread.

          Welcome to TR. We look forward to getting to know you better!

        • #2642808

          Maybe we need a template response for spam button Q’s ;)

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Case closed

          And what does PTB stand for? Uh-oh… does that necessitate another template response?

          I’ve gone template crazy. Someone stop me.

        • #2642795

          Stop it Nona! Just stop it!!! :D

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Case closed

          PTB = Powers That Be. The Gods of TR.

          Not too any people question the spam button, oddly enough. But I would guesstimate that I have answered that question about a dozen times since it was unveiled.

          You have to stop with this insane template behavior. People will begin to talk about you. It isn’t good for you, you know…
          😀

        • #2642683

          Enough Already!

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Case closed

          You are gonna make me try and think when I come here. Stop That!!! It is bad for all when I think!!!

        • #2649680

          In the meantime I’ll just ignore you.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to ABS just 1 point here

          HAL666: [i]The rest is fine with me when
          I’m in a Good Mood at least but I really do
          not think that it’s proper to talk for the
          site owners here.[/i]

          It was a [u]draft[/u] of a message, dufus.
          Google it.

        • #2641550
          Avatar photo

          Draft?

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to In the meantime I’ll just ignore you.

          Yep I know what that is but I also know what a suggestion is. :p

          [i]It was a draft of a message, dufus[/i]

          However after googling Draft I’m a bit confused what Conscription or the NFL has to do with what is being talked about here. Would you are to explain?

          http://tinyurl.com/2xk6an

          Now may I suggest that you google [b]Suggestion?[/b] :^0

          Col

        • #2641441

          It’s not my fault

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Draft?

          …you picked the wrong meaning of the word “draft,” dufus.

        • #2641295

          Wrong draft

          by charliespencer ·

          In reply to Draft?

          He meant involuntary military conscription. Any idiot asking how to crack a system will be sent to Iraq as part of the new 69th Shrapnel Stopper Squadron.

        • #2649679

          In the meantime I’ll just ignore you.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to ABS just 1 point here

          HAL666: [i]The rest is fine with me when
          I’m in a Good Mood at least but I really do
          not think that it’s proper to talk for the
          site owners here.[/i]

          It was a [u]draft[/u] of a message, dufus.
          Google it.

        • #2642847

          Those look like good licenses

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to After several replies from people unwilling to help you write it.

          I’ll look over them, but since the original template was GNU’d, I think that means that anyone else can mangle the template and then re-release it as the Free Art License, no? Go ahead if you get around to it before I do. 😉

        • #2641399

          ‘Open Source’ is so much easier!

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Those look like good licenses

          “Go ahead if you get around to it before I do.”

          Some people call Sharepoint “collaboration software,” but I think the ease of collaboration under the GPL makes that look like a pitiful euphemism — anybody with an interest in a better tool is [b]free[/b] to help create it. I think that’s much more “American” than corporatism and vendor lock-in.

      • #2652294

        I would only change one thing

        by tig2 ·

        In reply to Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

        Not “cannot” but WILL not. We are making a choice that the moderator supports. I would suggest that this be made evident from the beginning.

        Beyond that, I am willing to give it a try.

      • #2652278

        While I like my current templates

        by the scummy one ·

        In reply to Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

        I have been reminded several times about others that read them as well. Some who are not so IT. In any event, 1 person posted that they thought that I handed out a fix, when said fix would nuke their HDD, so mostly I have been laying low with them.
        However, it is still fun to do, and to write up sometimes!

        I may or may not bind myself to this, but it is not a bad idea in this deployment method.

        I would like to make some comments though. First, it is not TechRepublic who is unwilling to help, it is The Members Of TechRepublic, or TechRepublic Professionals.
        Also, you may want to consider more in-depth reasoning, such as, This is an open forum, even if we helped you, we could potentially help others crack into unauthorized systems with malicious intent.

        • #2642128

          When we worked on the …

          by entawanabi ·

          In reply to While I like my current templates

          ..Phillips American contract together you had no problem hooking templates to the left-margin plug-ins; how have things changed since then. Your explanations were easy for me a Computer Operater. In class in school you actually seemed to have no problem helping with my homework in plate series inductions, I think that is what it is called?

          ENTA WANABI

      • #2642750

        Still fails to address the 2nd necessary prerequisite, that …

        by deepsand ·

        In reply to Good points. Let’s revise this a little bit:

        “[b]all[/b] TR members were [b]both[/b] aware of and adherent to such a policy.”

        While I allow that yours is a laudable goal, it must be realized that such is truly unattainable absent a staff of active Moderators, which TR does not have, for its implementation and enforcement.

        • #2642748

          You make a good point

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Still fails to address the 2nd necessary prerequisite, that …

          Still, some of us WILL use it. Others will create their own in a similar vein, still others will simply respond in a similar tone. And then we will always have the free spirits who will respond as they always have.

          Maybe it will cut some of those threads off at the knees and maybe it won’t. But the goal is a good one and advanced by a new peer. I’m willing to give a shot.

          Nona beats the newbs that show up and start complaining about how no one is paying enough attention to them and the site should just work differently and why aren’t we all conforming to what they want? We’ll take all the people like Nona that we can get! 🙂

        • #2642629

          At least it will avoid the need for re-typing that which you’ve already …

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to You make a good point

          typed so many times before, thus saving time along with wear & tear on the fingers and keyboard.

          Assuming, that is, that one can easily and quickly find a copy, which, bookmarked or not, somehow seems to [b]not[/b] always be the case.

        • #2642005

          I just parked it

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to At least it will avoid the need for re-typing that which you’ve already …

          On my desktop and called it good. Turned it into a document that I can see easily and get to easily.

          I don’t use the TR workspace any at all because I never remember it’s there. You know how that aging thing is! 😀

        • #2636534

          Thanks for the reminder; I’d forgotten about the memory problem,

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to I just parked it

          They say that it’s ok to forget where you’ve put your car keys, so long as you remember what they’re for.

          Still, $75 for a few minutes to jimmy the latch on my car door, because I locked one set of keys on the car, and can’t recall where I put the spare set [b]8 years ago[/b] seems a bit much. And, this after I had to wait over 6 hours because the tow truck operator couldn’t remember where he put [b]his[/b] keys to the van which held his locksmith’s tools!

          As for forgetting about the existence of “My Workspace,” that’s may be a blessing in disguise, as the 502 errors keep you out as oft as not.

        • #2636526

          The senility factor

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Thanks for the reminder; I’d forgotten about the memory problem,

          If I can’t see something or it’s in the wrong place, I will completely forget its existence. And I mean completely. The plus side is that I am really anal about where I put things. The downer is when something gets moved- even if it continues to be in plain sight- I can’t see it at all.

          I keep a spare house key in my purse and a spare car key in my wallet. But my primary keys are always in my purse, right pocket, or in use. The spare house key is in a zipped pocket. The SO will occasionally grab my keys for something. He puts them on the counter when he’s through with them, next to HIS keys. I drove for a week with my spare because I couldn’t find my keys!

        • #2642739

          Is that truly necessary?

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Still fails to address the 2nd necessary prerequisite, that …

          As this idea has developed, it seems to me that it’s not necessary to get absolutely everyone on board. Short of a moderated forum (all posts approved before posting) or mind control implants, total adherence to anything is impossible. I’m okay with that. Is anyone else okay with that? If at least ten of the top 100 think its a good idea and would be interested in using such a template, I think it has the potential to grow a bit more and maybe improve the board.

          A note about improving the board: Not that something was terribly wrong with it. But why wait until the terribly wrong to do something?

          In short: I don’t think the second necessary prerequisite is either necessary or prerequisite so therefore its not even second. 😉

        • #2642628

          Herding Cats

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Is that truly necessary?

          Perhaps the display of skepticism owes to having observed previous experiments at getting TR members to act in a co-ordinated fashion yield results that were more like herding cats than cattle.

        • #2642611

          I’ve got catnip toys and a spray bottle

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Herding Cats

          At least no-one is vehemently against it.

          Humor my hyperactive organizational tendencies. I might go away eventually. 😉

          You can say “I told you so” if it fails miserably.

          ::Goes back to trolling the forum for the next password cracking thread::

        • #2642608

          Re. “hyperactive organizational tendencies”

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to I’ve got catnip toys and a spray bottle

          You’re preaching to the choir in that regards.

          It’s just that the older one gets, the more one is aware of limitations, both in ones self and others, thus resulting in holding reduced expectations.

        • #2649683

          If we could enforce the use of a template,

          by charliespencer ·

          In reply to Still fails to address the 2nd necessary prerequisite, that …

          we could enforce simply ignoring them instead. Most of the time they never return after posting their questions, and I doubt they see any of the responses.

          I’m willing to try this, but don’t expect me to use it when the question is obviously someone trying to sell us a line of fertilizer. Then I’m going to string them along for all it’s worth.

        • #2649656

          But Fertilizer lines are fun

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to If we could enforce the use of a template,

          havent you had your extra nitrogen lately???

        • #2641460

          A template response is for more than just original poster

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to If we could enforce the use of a template,

          Rather, it can serve as a sort of gauge of the forum’s atmosphere. If a unsubscribed viewer sees it, that can change their opinion of the forum for the better. Same with the subscribed lurkers.

          Adopting a policy of ignoring offending posts doesn’t help any new members who won’t know the policy nor does it do as good a job of improving the atmosphere of the board.

          Am I making sense? I can never tell. 😉

        • #2641397

          But, it’s nice of you to ask!

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to A template response is for more than just original poster

          “Am I making sense? I can never tell.”

    • #2652308

      I can agree, but unless you add a Feedback tag, and …

      by absolutely ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      get the Managers of the site to agree, and to lock threads that are started for the purpose of password cracking, I think you’re going to find that the people who reply rudely to password request threads will continue to do so.

      • #2652301

        A canned response and an immediate lock… now there’s an idea.

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to I can agree, but unless you add a Feedback tag, and …

        But who can lock threads? Would they be willing to do so?

        Hmmm…

        • #2652286

          Observation

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to A canned response and an immediate lock… now there’s an idea.

          I’ve noticed that the password request threads tend to take the tone of the first responder. If the first response is a simple advisory that TR peers won’t help and the reasons why, there might be a flame or two, but the thread usually dies quickly. If the first response is a flame, the majority of later posts tend to be flames and the threads tend to be longer. These threads also seem to be more likely to take on a life of their own, independent of the request by the original poster.

          As for locking threads, I’m not sure that would be necessary. With very few exceptions, even the threads that take on a separate life tend to die within a few days. I think Beth and Jay would be the people to apply to for that and I have no idea if they would buy into it.

        • #2652285

          Probably not

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to A canned response and an immediate lock… now there’s an idea.

          The PTB do not “lock” threads, they delete inappropriate responses. The responses that you seem to have a dislike for are not considered by the PTB to be inappropriate. If I see an inappropriate response to anything, I alert the PTB- who all know that I am reasonably conservative in my views.

          The PTB have a whole lot more on their collective plate than babysitting a bunch of adults that should be self policing. It is up to each of us “adults” to mind our content. Period.

          We won’t ever get away from the idiots with crack questions. But how we manage ourselves isn’t likely to change soon either.

          I have been content to stick with a short, politely worded, clear statement. Other people, other responses. That is just the way it is.

    • #2652293

      It really depends on the post

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Some deserve NO courtesy and only scorn and ridicule. If it is clear they are scumbag thieves looking to break into someone else’s systems, then a standard “go to hell” serves nicely. If it SEEMS to be a real plea for help for an honest mistake, then you idea does have merit.

      As for “designating”, the more people looking to step on them the better. First come, first served, ya know?

      • #2652284

        Yep

        by nicknielsen ·

        In reply to It really depends on the post

        The one line “Need to crack admin paswerd” post deserves the blowtorch. If the poster has taken the time to provide a reasonable story, I’ll take the time to point the appropriate direction for a [u]legitimate[/u] solution.

        Edit: semantic content

      • #2652268

        Accurate, But

        by the scummy one ·

        In reply to It really depends on the post

        The other side that has been brought up is that sometimes it does get worse, and often after a good thrashing on someone else.
        Maybe if the majority of the regulars did not post to it after the original message (template), then they may die down a bit, and post less.
        Then if they respond poorly (some a$$wipes will), its open season and all the flames can come out.

        P.S. — this would have been posted earlier, but I couldnt post!

    • #2652290

      It really depends on the post

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Some deserve NO courtesy and only scorn and ridicule. If it is clear they are scumbag thieves looking to break into someone else’s systems, then a standard “go to hell” serves nicely. If it SEEMS to be a real plea for help for an honest mistake, then you idea does have merit.

      As for “designating”, the more people looking to step on them the better. First come, first served, ya know?

    • #2642837

      Here’s my current template iteration

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      It seems a tad wordy. However, consider this: Any 1337 H@><0r$ that are asking for password cracking assistance will probably stop reading the template after the first sentence (if they even get past the post's title). In reality, the template will probably be most beneficial to new members and lurkers who are considering joining. It might serve to lay down the rules in a clearer manner as well as set a better tone for the board that might encourage more legitimate participation. Or I could be over-thinking this. 😉 Anyway, here's what I've come up with so far:

      "
      Title:
      TechRepublic does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to this thread.

      Body:
      The members of TechRepublic - A Resource for IT Professinals, will not assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Due to the open nature of this forum, any assistance given to help circumvent security measures, even for legitimate purposes, would be available for unscrupulous individuals to use for illegitimate purposes. This is a risk that we, the members of TechRepublic, will not take. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic. If you persist, your account could be terminated.

      If you have a legitimate need to circumvent a password scheme, please contact the vendor for the software / hardware and request their assistance. E.g. Windows XP password recovery issues should be taken up with Microsoft's technical support, Phoenix BIOS password recovery issues should be taken up with Phoenix Technologies, etc..

      To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread. This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.
      "

      S'aright?

      • #2642828

        Template Beta 2

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to Here’s my current template iteration

        As per TiggerTwo’s counsel:


        Title:
        TechRepublic does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to this thread.

        Body:

        The members of TechRepublic – A Resource for IT Professinals, will not assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Due to the open nature of this forum, any assistance given to help circumvent security measures, even for legitimate purposes, would be available for unscrupulous individuals to use for illegitimate purposes. This is a risk that we the members of TechRepublic will not take. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic.

        If you have a legitimate need to circumvent a password scheme, please contact the vendor for the software / hardware and request their assistance. E.g. Windows XP password recovery issues should be taken up with Microsoft’s technical support, Phoenix BIOS password recovery issues should be taken up with Phoenix Technologies, etc..

        To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread. This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.

        • #2642819

          Got it bookmarked

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Template Beta 2

          And will use it with pleasure.

          Let’s see what kinds of responses it gets. I’ve had a couple of my responses go totally out of control- once because I was accused of making a racist statement (I swear some folks can’t READ!) and once because the OP thought I was accusing him of theft. Bottom line is that we will want to monitor responses to this- especially if the OP responds.

          But we won’t know if we don’t try.

          Good job!

        • #2642164

          But that was a Racist Statement Tig

          by oh smeg ·

          In reply to Got it bookmarked

          Admittedly you had to stand on your head looking back wards while drinking a Gallon Glass of Champaign.

          But when read by someone like that it was totally Racist. 😀

          Col

        • #2642004

          Shhhhh!

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to But that was a Racist Statement Tig

          Don’t tell anybody!
          😀

        • #2641147

          I’m a racist too and proud of it. I hate all idiots equally :^0

          by maniacman ·

          In reply to Shhhhh!

          If that makes me a racist because idiots are part of the same race, then so be it. :^0

        • #2641145

          On the other hand…

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to I’m a racist too and proud of it. I hate all idiots equally :^0

          you can’t be a racist because all races have their share of idiots. 😉

        • #2636634

          Idiots are part of the same race. It’s called collusus moronicus :^0

          by maniacman ·

          In reply to I’m a racist too and proud of it. I hate all idiots equally :^0

          I looked it up on Wackypedia.com :^0

        • #2649609

          That’s not racist.

          by charliespencer ·

          In reply to I’m a racist too and proud of it. I hate all idiots equally :^0

          That’s elitist. No problem, since TR seems to be a meritocracy.

        • #2641829

          I’m trying to make a joke…work with me here :^0

          by maniacman ·

          In reply to I’m a racist too and proud of it. I hate all idiots equally :^0

          Jeez…give a guy a break!

        • #2642749

          TechRepublic does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Template Beta 2

          As can be seen, the proposed Title is longer than that allowed.

          “TR does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to this thread.” will fit.

        • #2642737

          ::slaps forehead::

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to TechRepublic does not help with password recovery. Please DO NOT respond to

          Sounds good. Duly noted.

        • #2642607

          Don’t do that!

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to ::slaps forehead::

          There are plenty of others, including many here, who will gladly do that for you.

        • #2642594

          Oooh, Oooh

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Don’t do that!

          Is this the new Palmetto???
          Can we slap for just any reason???
          What about our own typo’s???

        • #2642591

          The true sadist is one who refuses to …

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          beat a masochist.

          The trick is to know the difference.

        • #2641991

          You be NICE!

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          Nona is new. You be nice or I will drag you through the training this year. Are you really up for 600 miles?

          If you leave a typo, I will let Mae at you with the shovel. I don’t recommend that you meet Mae’s shovel.

          You can only slap Palmetto when troll feeding. You can’t just slap whenever you want. There are rules about this kind of thing.

          You should learn to be nice. W2KTechman is nice. Why don’t you be more like him!?!
          😀

        • #2641195

          Nice! :0

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          I cant be nice, as I am trying to corrupt those nice ones with my evil foul language and teisted ideas.
          Even recipe ideas are full of sugar to make everyone go into a diabetic coma for eating too much!!! :0

          That way I can rule them all… See my evil ways are… Wait… said too much… plan is in the open now… DAMMIT!!!

        • #2649608

          Scummie, I don’t do forehead slaps.

          by charliespencer ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          Nona is welcome to all the forehead slaps in the inventory. I receive b!tch slaps, or what some call dope smacks. These are delivered flat-handed to the back of the head. If you can’t use these technical terms correctly, ask for help 🙂

        • #2649573

          Palmetto

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          I was just checking, cause it appeared that you were for troll feeds, and that this one might be for everything else… Wouldnt that be nice? Someone to slap around for no reason what-so-ever…

          :^0

          and P.S. Pond Scum seems to have killed W2k, as W2k hasnt visited TR in some time now…
          wait, I shouldnt start rumors….

        • #2649563

          But, P. Scum, if you don’t, who will? [nt]

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Oooh, Oooh

          ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

        • #2642681

          I like it as-is now

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Template Beta 2

          Liely I will not be using it, but I will try to refrain from posting to threads that have this posted before me. Just like the one last night.

          But, if the original poster does respond poorly, I still think they are fair game for bashing! :^0

          Keep up the good work.

        • #2642162

          Another Quibble here. :(

          by oh smeg ·

          In reply to Template Beta 2

          TR does help with Password Cracks they have downloads available on the Forum.
          However TR members who are not directly related to TR don’t help with Password Cracks.

          Normally it’s [b]Absolutely[/b] who is the [b]Thought Police[/b] but looks like I get that job today. :_|

          Col

        • #2636816

          Does the first sentence of the reply take care of that?

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Another Quibble here. :(

          The first sentence says “TR members do not help with password recovery.” Emphasis on “members”. I will, however, change the title to reflect that.

          Thanks,

        • #2636805
          Avatar photo

          I don’t mean to be difficult

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to Does the first sentence of the reply take care of that?

          But as I’ve had previous experience of writing Service Manuals I know that you have to write things like that for the lowest common denominator to avoid misunderstandings. Hoping that they can read because the cost of drawing pictures is too great. 🙁

          Once I wrote a service sheet for a Power Board in a Main Frame and listed the need to unsolder a Transistor. What I thought should have been a fairly simple thing on the surface as this was only going to company Technical Staff. Some Git got a Soldering Iron from a Plummer and tried to remove the Trany and destroyed the Circuit Board with the Petrol Fired Soldering Iron that he used. The really nasty thing was that he didn’t have any idea that he was doing something wrong. Needles to say he didn’t last long and I had him moved to somewhere where he would do less damage.

          Col

        • #2641583

          For some reason I find that hard to believe.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to I don’t mean to be difficult

          If you don’t stop criticizing and start contributing to this template, I won’t let you use it.

          Of course, since it’s posted online you don’t need my permission; nevertheless, I won’t give you my permission. So there.

        • #2642530
          Avatar photo

          OK Abs Note taken :(

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to For some reason I find that hard to believe.

          I’ll just have to run home to Mommy and [b]Cry Myself to sleep [/b]wont I?

          :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_|

          Can I use it now [b]PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE[/b]

          Col ]:)

        • #2642358

          I guess so … you did say the magic word.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to For some reason I find that hard to believe.

          “cry”

          ]:)

    • #2642605

      Got my first offender

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Bungled the title though. It got clipped short. Grrrr.

      Must remember to reply to the topmost post and not a second tier post.

      I think I need my forehead slapped.

    • #2641949

      Perhaps a notice

      by tonythetiger ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      at the top of the “forums” page. Or an automatic email sent to new users.

      As we are not able to ascertain the legitimacy of the request, we will not entertain questions that pertain to password recovery or bypassing any form of security.

      • #2636814

        That would be nice, but…

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to Perhaps a notice

        …the types of folks that tend to post password recovery questions don’t seem to read anything remotely similar to FAQs, TOS statements or Acceptable Usage disclaimers.

        ~~~:-|

        • #2641565

          What I was thinking

          by tonythetiger ·

          In reply to That would be nice, but…

          would be a short paragraph right on the “Start a discussion/ask a question” page.

          Alternatively we could add a choice to that page, “help recover password” that when selected, causes the message to disappear when they click submit 🙂

        • #2642281

          Many of those who [u]don’t[/u] ask such questions are equally handicapped!

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to That would be nice, but…

          Mentioned in the spirit of being fair to all.

    • #2636813

      Template Beta 3:

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      as per some further suggestions I tweaked the title.

      • #2636812

        TR members do not assist password recovery. Do not respond to this thread

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to Template Beta 3:

        The members of TechRepublic – A Resource for IT Professionals, will not assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Due to the open nature of this forum, any assistance given to help circumvent security measures, even for legitimate purposes, would be available for unscrupulous individuals to use for illegitimate purposes. This is a risk that we the members of TechRepublic will not take. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic.

        If you have a legitimate need to circumvent a password scheme, please contact the vendor for the software / hardware and request their assistance. E.g. Windows XP password recovery issues should be taken up with Microsoft’s technical support, Phoenix BIOS password recovery issues should be taken up with Phoenix Technologies, etc.. To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread.

        This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.

        • #2636811

          Am I getting a bit pedantic?

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to TR members do not assist password recovery. Do not respond to this thread

          Well… am I?

        • #2636803
          Avatar photo

          Not Really

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to Am I getting a bit pedantic?

          But I’m sure that someone will misunderstand it. :^0

          Col

        • #2636802

          so….. we cut and paste this?

          by cg it ·

          In reply to TR members do not assist password recovery. Do not respond to this thread

          and has TR endorsed this… meaning that they haven’t said we can’t…..

        • #2636730
          Avatar photo

          Yep that is it

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to so….. we cut and paste this?

          Besides Beth & Jay are away at the moment. 😀

          Well till next Wednesday.

          Col ]:)

        • #2636625

          Implicit Approval

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to so….. we cut and paste this?

          No one official has disapproved. I think we’ve covered our bases as far as not speaking for TechRepublic but rather explicitly stating that this is a non-binding self-regulated practice that some TR members view as being a good thing to do. It could gain momentum and be a help or it could fall apart and be forgotten in a few months. We’ll see.

        • #2636583

          Don’t think they’ve even seen it yet

          by tig2 ·

          In reply to so….. we cut and paste this?

          Louisville has been empty since last Friday afternoon. No one is back until Wednesday.

          But they never said we COULDN’T…

          😀

        • #2636527

          “has TR endorsed this?”

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to so….. we cut and paste this?

          What?

          Where did the notion that [i]they[/i] have a say in such come from?

          Besides, there are way more of us than them!

        • #2636525

          LOL

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to “has TR endorsed this?”

          And just to add, I think that they woupd prefer it than some of the posts on these threads….

        • #2641327

          Of that there should be no doubt.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to LOL

          Of course, your having pointed that out does give cause for pause.

        • #2649739
          Avatar photo

          So Sandy are you saying

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to “has TR endorsed this?”

          [b]That the Lunatics Run the Asylum right?[/b] 😀

          Yep I agree lets play up now. :^0

          Col ]:)

        • #2641325

          Right on!

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to So Sandy are you saying

          Let’s play Doctor.

          Oooh, Nurse …

    • #2636613

      why not

      by j-mart ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      Totally ignore any posts of this nature and
      no one bother to add any comment to them. A
      bit like dealing with a 2 year old’s temper
      tantrum. they may roll around the floor
      kicking and screeaming, but if you totally
      ignore them they stop and learn that this
      does not get them what they want. If we
      ignore them they will soon dissapear and
      any thread they are trying to start will
      soon fall off end of que, We don’t need to
      go to the bother of producing an acceptable
      canned response when no reponse may do the
      job better.

      • #2636587

        I had considered that, however…

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to why not

        …I think the objective is to actively set a certain tone for the forum. Also, ignoring an offending post doesn’t necessarily help newer members who might not be aware of the common practice (and respond with help for the offender or by flaming them). In theory, a politely worded admonition might also keep other nonsense off the boards. Or it might not. That remains to be seen.

        This does not necessarily mean that the objective that I first stated is shared by anyone else. If the objective is to go on in the merry way come what may, than ignoring the post would be just fine. Somehow I don’t think that would be the best option though. It is, however, better than unleashing a flamewar. 😉

        • #2636566

          no no no no no no no no no

          by jaqui ·

          In reply to I had considered that, however…

          sometimes a flamewar is the best option :p

          or the directions on how to effectively ground themselves through the shorted out power supply as the answer to breaking security. ]:)

          depends on how often the particular person has been asking questions for illegal activities.

    • #2636559

      That won’t work

      by av . ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      How can I remember all those rules? :^0 Theres really no good way to police the password recovery posts. What if the 1-3 established members miss a post? Who wants to be responsible for that?

      I think what works is either don’t respond to it or respond and just say no. All I can agree to and I think everyone here will, is that we won’t give away the secret knowledge. BWAHAHAHAHA!

      AV :^0

      • #2636533

        The idea condenses into this:

        by nonapeptide ·

        In reply to That won’t work

        I think, after 80-something posts, we’ve condensed the idea into this:

        If you see a password recovery question, and you feel so inclined, copy and paste the most up-to-date template response. If someone misses a post, no big deal. Although, if a few regulars stick to it, the idea might spread and lessen that probability. If someone decides not to use the template but do their own thing, no big deal either. It’s a Capitalistic idea. It only works if the market likes it.

        And yes, the idea about 1-3 responders was stupid of me. that was quickly abandoned at around the fifth post. 😉

        Edited for clarity.

        • #2649672

          Ok! so now what about all those posts

          by cg it ·

          In reply to The idea condenses into this:

          that come from supposedly IT managers, CIOs or network engineers that ask such simple and basic IT questions that if one actually had any experience in IT, however remotely, they should know the answer?

          usually I just ignor them… forum trolls usually go away if they dont’ have an audience but…. it seems as though the forums for IT pros has turned into the forum for IT don’t knows.

        • #2641456

          I don’t think they need a template response,,,

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to Ok! so now what about all those posts

          … since they’re not asking anything against the rules. I too have had a few questions marks float above my head when I see a supposed CIO ask about things like what the difference between RAID 5 and 1 is. Don’t you have a SA working for you that you can ask?!

          😉

        • #2649619

          I can go with that

          by av . ·

          In reply to The idea condenses into this:

          I usually don’t bother with those posts personally, but what does the template look like now?

          AV

        • #2641455

          Currently at Beta 3; All new iterations should be posted in this thread

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to I can go with that

          Here’s the link to the current template: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=248696&messageID=2392005

          If any further iterations are created, they should be posted within this thread, unless we want to create a completely separate thread just for the most current template. Whichever is easiest to remember.

        • #2641395

          That won’t be necessary.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Currently at Beta 3; All new iterations should be posted in this thread

          Nonapeptide: [i]If any further iterations are created, they should be posted within this thread, unless we want to create a completely separate thread just for the most current template. Whichever is easiest to remember.[/i]

          Anybody who wants to use the template can use the “Save” button to establish a link in their TR Workspace, so we can access that ^ message any time we’re logged in. Provided you keep the document at that URI current…

        • #2641370

          Just keep editing the same post?

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to That won’t be necessary.

          Just keep editing the same post with the most current version (assuming further versions are necessary)? That means that only I could do the editing though. No biggie, but kinda restricts the open source flavor. 😉

          Or is it kinda like how Linus has control over the Linux kernel, but anyone who wants to make a spin-off is welcome. 😉

        • #2641381

          It should get the point across

          by av . ·

          In reply to Currently at Beta 3; All new iterations should be posted in this thread

          Its a bit long, but I think it will get the point across.

          Professionals is spelled wrong though.

          AV

        • #2641369

          It’s Absolutely’s Fault :D

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to It should get the point across

          Fixed.

          So there. 😉

        • #2641336

          That’s true.

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to It’s Absolutely’s Fault :D

          http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=248696&messageID=2393123

          I completely neglected my duty to crack your password, so that I could have the privilege of doing your homework for you.

          So there. 😀

        • #2641316

          Yes, but it was your post that introduced the spleling error

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to It’s Absolutely’s Fault :D

          http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=248696&messageID=2390145

          I can’t be troubled to proof read these things when I have much more important things to be doing.

          Like cruising the forums for a password recovery offender.

          Let’s be professinals about this. So there. 😉

        • #2641853

          Crpa, you’re right!

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to It’s Absolutely’s Fault :D

          I edited it away though, so now let’s be professionals about this.

          So there.

          😀

      • #2649733
        Avatar photo

        So do we call it

        by hal 9000 ·

        In reply to That won’t work

        Secret IT Business?

        Sorry that may not be understood by many outside AU. A Government enquiry here about the building of a Bridge was given some evidence from the Original Inhabitants and was never allowed to be Publicly Known because it was called [b]Secret Womens Business.[/b] Seems that it’s OK to have secrets and tell some but not make them public knowledge when it suits your needs. Personally I would have thought if it was [b]So Secret[/b] you wouldn’t be telling others that it existed in the first place.

        But what do I know? 🙁

        Col
        [i]Edited because[/b] This Bloody Dyslexic M$ Keyboard & Drivers don’t speal right ever. :_|

        • #2649621

          I didn’t say it did exist

          by av . ·

          In reply to So do we call it

          I’m saying “they” think the (“secret knowledge”) exists. Just having a little fun.

          I have heard of Secret Women’s Business though. Shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone, but I seem to recall something about a bridge. . . .

          AV :^0

        • #2641544
          Avatar photo

          Yep I remember now I sold you the Golden Gate Bridge. :D

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to I didn’t say it did exist

          Now that you’ve had some time to gather the tolls do you want to buy another one? :p

          I have a great deal right at the moment if you are interested. A little used bridge that has only been taken to church on Sundays by a Little Old Lady and it’s in Excellent Condition and just been Repainted and Resurfaced. B-)

          Col

      • #2641376

        I bet they will.

        by absolutely ·

        In reply to That won’t work

        Hmm, let’s see, how can we make this interesting? Let’s make the bet be that whoever loses agrees [b]never[/b] to post in any thread in which the template reply has been posted? I think that regular use of such a template really will reduce the average length of threads that begin with requests to crack a password. And, no fair posting to such threads yourself, with any alias.

        • #2641323

          Career change?

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to I bet they will.

          The change in your “Job Role” to “Student” is noted.

        • #2641880

          in progress

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Career change?

          Now that classes are finished — two days ago — I’ll have to select ‘unemployed,’ I suppose, until I get an offer. ‘Thanks’ for reminding me.

        • #2645523

          I hope to never cease being a student.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to in progress

          I am seriously contemplating moving to State College, so as to have easy access to the resources of Penn State’s main campus.

          Pennsylvania provides that all residents shall have unrestricted access to the libraries of all State libraries, which include those of its land grant colleges, as well as the right to freely attend, on an unofficial auditing basis, classes at such colleges. While I can get books from Pattee Library, that of the main campus, by going to a branch campus and requesting that such be temporarily transferred to that campus for my use, such is far from convenient.

          May you have good fortunes on your chosen future paths.

    • #2641275

      Yay! ThumbsUp got one!

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-7343-0.html?forumID=101&threadID=249293

      I saw that post, but was a bit gunshy about smacking him with the template. The story seemed so plaintive that I couldn’t quite bring myself to fire it off.

      So, ThumbsUp, was it useful? Think it’ll become a habit or just fade away?

      Edited because I’m careless.

      • #2642279

        And, it’s only reached [u]18 posts[/u] so far!

        by deepsand ·

        In reply to Yay! ThumbsUp got one!

        As predicted, the “Do Not Respond” admonishment is less than effective.

    • #2642354

      wow…

      by demosthanese ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      this thread has more posts that the ones about the PW recovery lol. i didnt waste the time to read them all but i thought it was funny all the same

    • #2642306

      “Do not respond to this thread” a bit abrupt?

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      It occurred to me that that one little sentence might be a tad abrupt. Any thoughts on deleting it? Like the offender can’t even say “Oh, sorry,”? 😉 However, it seems that in many instances it doesn’t actually prevent people from responding anyway. :-/

      BTW, nice to see people using the template. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

      • #2642303

        When I used it I just

        by the scummy one ·

        In reply to “Do not respond to this thread” a bit abrupt?

        put in the title Please Read, no response necessary.

        But yes, I didnt think I would use it, and I did 2x. Today, I see several members using it. Your idea seems to be getting around.

        Edited to add: But now I have no reason for telling someone to F-off or kill themselves… Ah Well, maybe someone will post back with a flame (not unheard of), then I can unleash the evil which has been building up!

        • #2642265

          Please Read: TR members do not assist password recovery.

          by nonapeptide ·

          In reply to When I used it I just

          Does that sound better?

          Considering that no-one seems to heed the “Do not respond to this thread” line, maybe telling people to read it will backfire. Eh, maybe I’ll just leave it be.

          Let’s keep using the template for at least this month and see if it has any positive effect.

          Edited for clarity.

        • #2642239

          Dont get me wrong

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Please Read: TR members do not assist password recovery.

          this template is a good thing. But there are a few variations already. I personally prefer a different title, and ThumbsUp2 appears to like to make some parts bold.

          In any event, the main text is the same, and should hopefully work out fine.

          Notice how much less sarcasm is attached to these posts???

        • #2643693
          Avatar photo

          Re [i]Do not respond to this thread[/i]

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to Please Read: TR members do not assist password recovery.

          Works for me as whenever I’ve used the Template no one has posted after me. Maybe I scare them. 😀

          Or could it be the creaking Air Lock opening in the background? I’m really very nice. :^0

          OK I’ve only used it once I think and maybe no one saw it. :0

          Col ]:)

        • #2640811

          HAL, sorry

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Please Read: TR members do not assist password recovery.

          I had to respond, just because you told me not to!

        • #2640799

          There was that one useful response

          by absolutely ·

          In reply to Please Read: TR members do not assist password recovery.

          Somebody suggested try “Safe Mode,” etc. So I agree asking to not help crack passwords is better than asking not to respond at all.

    • #2640644
    • #2557560

      Added a sentence about search engine results

      by nonapeptide ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      I added some text that addresses the concern about TR showing up on a search engine’s results for password cracking keywords. It seemed helpful.


      Title:
      TR members do not assist password recovery.

      The members of TechRepublic – A Resource for IT Professinals, will not assist anyone in the recovery of lost passwords. You may have a legitimate reason to recover a password. However, we cannot verify your motives and will therefore not assist anyone in what may be an attempt at gaining unauthorized access to a computer system. Due to the open nature of this forum, any assistance given to help circumvent security measures, even for legitimate purposes, would be available for unscrupulous individuals to use for illegitimate purposes. This in turn will cause TechRepublic’s forums to show up in a search engine’s results for key words that relate to password cracking which could lead to more password cracking questions. This is a risk that we the members of TechRepublic will not take. Please do not ask questions of this nature on TechRepublic.

      If you have a legitimate need to circumvent a password scheme, please contact the vendor for the software / hardware and request their assistance. E.g. Windows XP password recovery issues should be taken up with Microsoft’s technical support, Phoenix BIOS password recovery issues should be taken up with Phoenix Technologies, etc..

      To those viewing this post: Please DO NOT respond any further to this thread. This template has been released under the GNU public license and you are encouraged to use it as a standard reply for questions of similar nature, provided that you make any modifications available to other users.

      Enjoy!

    • #2933621

      can of worms

      by computechdan ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      certainly didn’t mean to open this can of worms today when i replied to a post for assistance in changing an admin password… after all the link i posted was from a recent video produced by TR, however i will not post again for such items…beat me, whup me, make me write hot checks, but i won’t respond. 😉

      • #2933601

        Nope

        by the scummy one ·

        In reply to can of worms

        you just gotta send me your bank account and credit card info (including passwords).

        • #2933585
          Avatar photo

          Scummy you forgot

          by hal 9000 ·

          In reply to Nope

          And have lots of money in them.

          After all what’s the use of sending you Account Details when you can’t get anything from them? :^0

          Col 0:-)

        • #2933583

          lmao

          by computechdan ·

          In reply to Scummy you forgot

          this is true

        • #2933564

          Make sure we get the CVC Codes as well.

          by deepsand ·

          In reply to Scummy you forgot

          It’s a whole lot harder for the card holder to cry “fraud” & win when the merchant’s got that little 3-digit no..

    • #3000112

      Whatever…

      by rechtepublic ·

      In reply to Can we agree to a standardized response to password recovery questions?

      …makes you happy.

      • #3000111

        that would be your official ruling then

        by neon samurai ·

        In reply to Whatever…

        On this topic, all one can do is read through all sides of the discussion and decide what they find to be the professional response. There does seem to be a general response going around which simply suggests that the person will not get help from the regular readers here as asking parties ownership or permission can not be established and the information is already widely available.

      • #3000072
        Avatar photo

        RE: [i] Tell people you won’t help them but do it politely

        by hal 9000 ·

        In reply to Whatever…

        Yep I tried that and got a Formal Complaint against me to the Powers That Be at TR. Seems that the message that we agreed to use was found offensive by at least one person that I know of. :^0

        [i] It is not professional to bash or lie to anyone for any reason.[/i]

        It’s also not cleaver to answer things that can make you an [b]Accessory Before/After the Fact[/b] to a crime either. Particularly on a Public Forum. Remember the Courts see those with a Professional Understanding of things more Guilty of a Crime when they are charged and here you would have to prove that you where not involved when it was accepted that your answer was used in the committing of a Crime. So you are guilty as Charged End of Story go directly to jail do not pass go do not collect $200.00. :0

        [i]A professional assess the problem and helps a person understand the situation.[/i]

        How many Professionals have you ever heard give advice on how to commit a crime? The only ones that I have ever heard say something along those lines where joking and it was obvious that was the case.

        [i]if your doctor made fun of you for having diabetes and gave you advice that made it worse for their own enjoyment?[/i]

        Doctors don’t need to give advice that make matters worse particularly with Diabetes the Patients ignore everything that they are told and do as they please anyway. The reason that these Professional people can not joke with their clients/Patients is that Joe/Joe-Ann Average are really stupid and take every opportunity not to take responsibility for their own actions. They want to blame others because they are idiots.

        [i]We need to be thankful that IT is not buried in the legal regulations that doctors[/i]

        Do you really believe that? It’s ridiculous and for instance if you where to see something on a computer that Contravened The Patriot Act and not report it but acknowledge that you saw it what do you really think would happen to you then?

        [i]If enough of these IT “unprofessionals” keep giving bad advice we will all be required to pay E&O insurance[/i]

        Not sure about E&O Insurance but I know that I have heaps to pay already just in case something that I do somehow damages a client.

        [i]That is exactly what happened to the other trades I mentioned[/i]

        No not really the other trades that you mentioned got into the way that they are because of their clients not being willing to take responsibility for their own actions. It’s really fairly simple that as the Unwashed Masses like to find others to blame for their own Stupidity.

        Like the Diabetic who was told exactly what they could and couldn’t take but then insisted on eating bucket loads of Raw Sugar because it couldn’t hurt him. His argument was that the Doctor told him not to eat Sugar but didn’t say anything specifically about Raw Sugar.

        I used to work Medical Legal and just about every one of those making claims where Idiots the remaining few where deaf and chose not to read what they where given to read then complained about what happened.

        But here you are free to do as you please.

        However you must understand that other TR Peers are free to do as they please too, and most will report you by marking any replies to questions about Cracking as Spam, and want your response removed.

        But if you like I can get together with the others and make it official you can answer every question about Cracking a Password. Just be prepared to be doing that at least 25 times a day if not more often.

        The only part way decent thing about these questions are the laughable Explanations that the Perps have for not knowing their Passwords and even they wears after a short time. 😉

        OH and also what do the other listed professionals do when you treat them like Idiots in their own Playgrounds? I honestly do not know as I’m not that stupid to do something like that.

        Col

      • #3000040

        I’m using nonapeptide’s format

        by charliespencer ·

        In reply to Whatever…

        from his earlier post at

        http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=248696&messageID=2390496

        I have it bookmarked to copy and paste it.

      • #3000035

        this is not the only tech forum I personally am involved with

        by purpleskys ·

        In reply to Whatever…

        I also am an administrator (or moderator) in another tech forum. It is common practice for our group to give the same type of response to those looking to circumvent a password. Same idea applies, we have no idea who you are, if that machine is even yours (ie. you stole it, purchased it from someone who has stolen it, or you’re trying to break your spouses, exes, parents, etc. password so you can snoop around; worst case scenario, you’re trying to get others personal important data and break into bank accounts, emails, chat logs…whatever the case may be) so our general response is simply…”we do not help with passwords”…if it’s truly your pc and you have somehow forgotten your password or it won’t take your password, take it to a qualified PC shop (like the shop you bought it from). If a user persists and will not back down from the issue, they are removed from the forum, end of story.
        Now, in all reality, this is a free, open forum; all assistance is strictly voluntary and a lot of good people volunteer a lot of their time to helping those who have questions and need help.
        As for the diabetic…my mother is diabetic, after ignoring doctor’s orders, she is now in a nursing home pretty much completely blind at the young age of 65, her kidney’s have also failed and she is on daily dialysis; she had let her diet and health slip so bad, she almost died last October…she blames no one but herself…at least she’s that brave to not try to blame someone else for what has happened.
        That’s my two cents for the day, take it or leave it.
        Edited: for spelling

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