Well although there was not an astounding amount of votes. I do notice a pattern. So the winner is obviously gear. So I have a follow up for this poll.

What gear would you buy? You have roughly 2 g's give or take. Consider that you only have one common house computer a few years old with some upgrades. No laptop. Do you BYO a second desktop get a laptop? Most important what are the specs. What processor, RAM, HDD, Etc.? Thanks again for any ideas.

It is amazing as much time as people put into writing these books. You would think that they would spend a little bit of time on how the book looks. I understand that if the book is great it will get read, eventually, but waste time. If people would invest a little time in the cover of the book then they would be able to sell more books much easier. This book just looks boring and drab.

Will for sure have to make time to read the rest of this. I read all 4 chapters at work without realizing it. I just looked this book up on Yahoo and Ethical Hacker.net was 4 and 5 on the hit list. I typed in Daemon A novel and the 4th hit took me to the 4 chapters on here and 5 brought me straight back to this forum.

I was going to try and make it down there to see my parents and check it out. With work and duty and stuff it just did not pan out. I am going to try to make it to one up here in the DC metro area.

I would also be interested in people who have taken the test and passed. To find out what resources such as books or CD/training classes that helped them and or did not.

People would be amazed if they knew half the things the government does and or is capable of. I am not saying that "Enemy of the State" or anything like that is close but, I do not feel that it is too far off. Anyone heard of Google Earth? Yeah check out your neighborhood on their sometime. You can pull up parts of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, you get the point anywhere that the military is looking for "people" about 3 months later you get these images. Because Google using some of the same sats.
What if I told you about a glove that could revitalize and even make you 10 times "stronger". Fact or Fiction. FACT
I am a medic and have seen a glove that runs on the concept of keeping your core cooled(Same premise as a CPU). I have seen people near exhaustion after running 5 miles put this glove on and go another 20.
Just goes to show SCI-FI is not too far off.

My concern is actually more about our civil liberties. The article gave a legitimate example. An organisation called LICRA I think tried sueing yahoo because one of their auction sites was selling NAZI collectables. While this is illegal in France it is not illegal here. They demanded that the items be removed and requested almost impossible restriction be put in place to prevent the sites from being accessed. Of cours LICRA won in france and the judge tried to rule that Yahoo.Fr would not be penalized but the Yahoo corp take the hit. Afterwards LICRA filed for suit here in the states but thanks to our civil rights, were unable to push the issue.

Of cours I am sure BUSH has thought this one out.

Where is everyone? This was read 358 times but only a few responses. I have noticed that is the general issue for all posts. It seems to be the same like 20 people, if that, I was trying to get convo going of something even a newb could have input on. I realize a lot of the topics posted require a bit of technical knowledge. But this poll is simple enough anyone can say what they would want to do.
At least that was the idea behind it. As much as I respect the opinions of Don and the other people who have been around a while. I was hoping to get some ideas from someone just a few levels above me as opposed to way over my head.

LOL.

 "The more of these things you already do, the more likely it is that you are natural hacker material."

I was wondering lately if I had what it takes to be a hacker. This article made me realize that I have been a closet hacker my whole life.

I guess I was just a little worried about doing this kind of stuff on my computer. I have always been a trial and error baby. After I cut open a battery to see how it works and got into some trouble for it. I started thinking , a little, about if I would mess something up. Then I got into computers and forgot that lesson for a while, until I was reminded. So I am a slightly paranoid about just dredging into waters I have not explored.

Forensics is what I was majoring in but I have began to drift away. I live in DC now so I know I would have a GREAT paying job here. However I am moving to NC ASAP and do not think the demand will be as great down there.
I also talked to a guy I know that does CSI type forensics. He said that all the guys he works with at the state department that do digital forensics are miserable and it was not what they were expecting to do.

A lot of the problem is we live in a bigger, faster, now society were people who only use 15 GB worth of HD space feel the need to have a 500GB drive. My wife got me a 250 for Xmas and I took it back. I do not store anything big enough to need anything bigger than 100GB without any clogging.

If you are interested in training in Forensics a few places like DeVry. These classes cover ethics to techniques. Also I know that EnCase is a popular Forensics tool that can run you upwards of 2K. But it is what most people use. Such as the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC). That is how I got my copy of the manual.

You are correct it is excess money. I put the BILLS option in because some people like to get ahead on their bills.

Just curious what some of you would do in my position.

I am currently in school for CIS. I am computer competent and a quick learner. However I have VERY little XP in anything beyond end user knowledge. I currently live in the DC Metro area and am trying to get an an apprenticeship or part time job so I can learn the ropes. I am in the Army and willing to work hard. I am currently trying to work through my school but that is not moving to fast. I have a full time job and do not need money though I will not turn it down. I am simply interested in gaining as much knowledge of computers and IT stuff as I can. If you are in need of or simply want your own personal Bi@tch I do not mind doing hard work so long as I learn in the process.