



                     A dissemination of various lies,
                        misbeliefs, and half truths.

                             By Jack The Ripper


        I started out modeming in the middle half of the 1980's, and
of course, gained my exposure to bulletin board systems through the 
laughable public domain systems that I thought were amazing at the time.
I stumbled across my first "pirate" board in late 1988. I picked a one name
handle and proceeded into my education. I was, quite frankly, amazed at the 
wealth of information that was available out there. The thing that struck me
right between the eyes was the concept of the Hacker. What an incredible 
idea, a rogue computer villain hunched over a computer terminal, hacking his 
way into the bellies of government computers... That myth was quickly 
dispelled, as I started reading Phrack, Inc.'s magazine and learned what 
hacking was all about. Then, before I knew what happened, the LOD/MOD thing 
escalated into a war, and then Operation Sundevil came down and fucked so 
many people over. I don't claim to have been in (or be in) LOD or MOD or any 
hardcore hacking group. However, if you were on any pirate BBS at that time, 
you really could not help hearing about it. It affected everyone, the really
good hackers disappeared, and the fair-weather hackers blew away like so many
leaves in the wind. People all over lost their machines because they had 
"codes" or utilities, or "questionable material" on-line. People on the 
periphery of the "underground" were also subjected to scrutiny. Scandal is a 
shameful thing people, don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget that the 
government that takes your money would like to see you without any rights, 
any freedom, any access. Even if you are innocent, in the eyes of our 
government, breathing is grounds for suspicion. 
        The years following Operation Sundevil were uncertain, and some 
people decided never to come back, others grew up, and still others sought
refuge from their urges in college. In the last year or two, possibly three, 
literally thousands of hacker-wannabes have practically exploded onto the 
scene. For someone who kept quiet out of fear (after Sundevil and previous
busts) this was quite a shock. The brand of precocious, arrogant snipes that
the publicity from the busts produced was absolutely stunning. It was very
hard to find quality people who still had the mindset and ethics that the 
previous generation had. As always, people learn from their mistakes, and 
we are being more careful now. Everyone else may use LD codes to their hearts
content, but one thing is true, and don't EVER forget it: If you use codes
long enough, you WILL get busted. When they bust you, you WILL be fucked. I 
was in a TCBY the other day talking to an older man about computers when he 
mentioned that he set up MCI's networks. Needless to say, a shiteating grin
broke out on my face, and we proceed to talk. He was stunned at the fact that
I could talk to him on his level about HIS work. He repeatedly asked how I
knew the information that I did. I said it was a hobby, that I was a 
Telecommunications Hobbyist. That is what I am. I learn about the telephone
systems, how they work, and how to manipulate them. If that process involves
defrauding the telephone companies out of a few bucks that they don't need
anyway, then so be it. Just because you can set up ToneLoc to scan a 950
exchange for codes, does not make you a "phreak"; just the same as the fact 
that playing around on a public UNIX does not make you a "hacker". The whole 
ethic revolves around information, the acquiring and usage of information. 
A whole breed of people seem to have missed that whole point. Everyone talks
shit, but really, they aren't what they pretend to be. They are safe behind
their terminals, blasting off insults, because a newuser on a particular
board asked, "What is ANI?" Don't you idiots get it? He wants to learn! He 
is interested, you must cultivate a curious and inquisitive mind, not insult 
it. The popularity game is king, who is the most well known, who has the 
baddest rep. Who can slam the hardest. Well, all of that does not mean shit 
if you can't tell your ass from your head when you're knee-deep in VMS, does 
it? So, drop the childish games and either get serious, or get out.
        In closing, a few words about what I hope the future to be. My mind
is hungry, I absorb new information like a sponge. I am never sated. The 
quest for information leads me on a path to better myself, and it does not 
just improve my "hobby" skills, but also my life skills. I wish that I could
somehow convey what things used to be like when I was ignorant, lurking in 
the shadows with barely enough access to read messages; learning, seeing, 
doing. Finally the light of pity was shown upon me, and I was allowed to 
download. From there on out, I have never stopped. I have surpassed the 
people that I once thought were greats in the underground, people who ended 
up being nothing. I did it not out of superiority, but because of the drive 
to know, and to do. Those are the most important things a person starting out
can have. If you posses those things, you will never stop acheiving. You'll 
crack your first system, you'll drop your first trunk (not so much anymore),
or you will do whatever interests you. Along the way, you'll pick up the 
tools you need to stay out of harm's way. All things come with practice, and
nothing ever comes easy. If you are reading this, and are just starting out,
do yourself a favor, keep your mouth shut and learn. There are more people
who would rather slam you, than help you. But, do not be content with what 
you read. Act upon what you learn, do what you read. You will succeed.


		-written 12/08/93
				
			 Jack The Ripper 
			      for
	                 Integrity Mag.
				
