Is this forum dying?

[comaX]

I understand your point about a test. But with that said I'm all for free knowledge, and I think anyone has a right to voice what he wants. With that perspective, I hope the forum will always be fully opened. I know posting and being able to read are different things, but I think even new comers can be helpful, because their "innocent" questions might raise serious issues and benefit to all. They might see something from a different angle that is eluding someone with more experience.

Now, of course all the "can't boot BT" questions and the likes... I know them well. Being the author of a relativeley popular script and all, I receive tons of mails asking how to launch a script for instance. I think it's the same for the forums, popularity* brings neophytes and we have to deal with it one way or another. But I think we shall all remember we were beginers some time before. Even though I consider my first post here newbie as F, and am pretty ashamed of it, I still feel it was legitimate and I'm glad people tried to help me (even if in the end I solved it alone) and not to bash me. I think this is a serious value we shouldn't lose. So, if the newb questions bother you, you should maybe just ignore them, IMO.

To respond to TAPE about the quality of the questions and answers - and please note I don't want you to think I resent the mods but I think this was the case when they were more active. Again, I understand they have better things to do, like providing for their families.

Anyway, it's late for me and I might be saying BS, but I don't think We, the forum, are dead. It's still the first and best place to get infos and help about BT and hacking in general, IMO.

*I don't intend to compare popularity between BT and a script I wrote of course. I just think the spirit behind people asking questions about it might be the same. Just statin' that in case there's a wiseass willing to bash me

[erhardm]

I think there's a difference between new commers and newbies. Not all new commers are beginners.
We all know that most of the beginners are using Backtrack so they'll become h4x0rs and try their luck in cracking WEP. They are skipping one step: basic linux skills.
Every human being is at first a beginner, but that doesn't mean it's right to have 80% of posts about basic linux questions in a Pentesting specialized forum.
There are other forums for that, like LinuxQuestions and Ubuntu's community forum.

Also most beginners here want to be part of the h4x0r community, and it will give them a great motivation to gain some linux skills to be able to post in "the big ligue".
Such a quiz could also help them focus their energy on parts that matter in Backtrack (i.e there's not such a great need to know how to change the default scheduler, but rather how to solve video and networking problems)

If there's a CTF challenge, how would you like it to be organized/held?


Regards

[Barry]

Seems like every year or so "the test" is brought up. It's a good idea on paper, until you start to try to actually implement it. Which is why I've never seen a site try to use one. In the past year google says there are 97 threads with the phrase "I'm new to linux" in the forums. That's actually a lot lower than I thought it would be. Not trying to be a dick or anything, but BackTrack really shouldn't be used by people who've never used linux before. It's almost the same as learning to fold a paper airplane so you can go fly the space shuttle tomorrow. Then there's the several dozen duplicate threads on "how do I install BackTrack on my Mac?" Honestly, don't! Just don't! You can pick up a pretty good 100% BackTrack compatible laptop off FleaBay for $50-$100. Though it seems like installing to a standard windows based laptop is pretty hard anyway...

[erhardm]

I think the implementation part is possible.

Set up a moodle page, it's PHP (this forum runs on php), also it uses GPL - no license problems.
Fill it with content and make the necessary changes to restrict postings depending on the database table which shows who passed or not.
I over simplified it, but basically these are the logical steps that came into my mind.

The content part I think could be a hurdle, especially the part on deciding what is relevant and how low/high the bar should be set.

Regards

[Gitsnik]

I think the implementation part is possible.

Set up a moodle page, it's PHP (this forum runs on php), also it uses GPL - no license problems.
Fill it with content and make the necessary changes to restrict postings depending on the database table which shows who passed or not.
I over simplified it, but basically these are the logical steps that came into my mind.

The content part I think could be a hurdle, especially the part on deciding what is relevant and how low/high the bar should be set.

Regards

They have one. You need to actually pass the exams/ pay to get into the forums. This is the public site, where all the newbies are. An auto-ban of "new to linux" phrases might not be bad, but it's also not up to the free for use forums to implement.

In general, to all who read it: Suck it up, cupcake. BT, and these forums, are free.

[Curtix]

I hope this forum isn't dying - just got here

[Bl4cks4b3r]

They have one. You need to actually pass the exams/ pay to get into the forums. This is the public site, where all the newbies are. An auto-ban of "new to linux" phrases might not be bad, but it's also not up to the free for use forums to implement.

In general, to all who read it: Suck it up, cupcake. BT, and these forums, are free.

Theres a great attitude, wonder why people arent posting as much? I know for a lot of well versed people the noobs and noob questions are annoying but why not be patient with them? The only reason they are noobs is because nobody has taught them. Not everyone can read a book and pick up the concept. I know Mitnick wasnt born with the skills, he was trained as a communications specialist by telecom companies and then learned about computers. Auto-ban? Really? Thats going to solve your issue of growing your forum lol. I understand you people arent PR, but jesus guys, havent you heard of common decency?

[Barry]

Theres a great attitude, wonder why people arent posting as much? I know for a lot of well versed people the noobs and noob questions are annoying but why not be patient with them? The only reason they are noobs is because nobody has taught them. Not everyone can read a book and pick up the concept. I know Mitnick wasnt born with the skills, he was trained as a communications specialist by telecom companies and then learned about computers. Auto-ban? Really? Thats going to solve your issue of growing your forum lol. I understand you people arent PR, but jesus guys, havent you heard of common decency?

If noobs would use the search button first, it wouldn't be as big a deal. I still see the same questions asked that have been answered waaaaaaay back in the backtrack 2 days.

[Bl4cks4b3r]

If noobs would use the search button first, it wouldn't be as big a deal. I still see the same questions asked that have been answered waaaaaaay back in the backtrack 2 days.

Barry I couldnt agree more--but please think about this:

The newbies are the main posters of this forum. The leet members arent posting all the time. They dont need help with backtrack, usually they can figure it out--and when they can't its such an advanced post that only certain people typically answer. Its the noobs that are going to keep this place active. If you drive away all the newbies, then what do you have left? A: You have leet members who dont need to post, because they dont need the help. Unless they make a program, toolkit, or have something brand new to bring to the table. If not then there is no point in posting.

Do you concur?

[zimmaro]

hi
I think I can say a little bit since I am an "eternal-newbies"
I'm in this forum for about 3 years,
I can say that they have "good reason" the "experienced veterans" (this is not meant to be a fiddling)
the problem is that many of us newbies we approach to backtrack thinking that it is a "magic bullet" that will transform us into super-hackers in 4 minutes! trying to "run several tools possible in less time!!
ignoring to "understand" the basic things (which are the most important) operation, methods, techniques and more!
actually the material (problem solving, teaching, examples ....) in this forum and elsewhere is very much!
it takes a little more commitment on our part in the research--stage!!
&& maybe the FIRST study a little ubuntu!!!
sorry my google-traslator!!
regards