Quite true H1t M0nk3y.   I guess hiring practices sometimes do go for cheapest labor over other factors.  I guess where i got into computers.. that would not fly.  There are schools in Seattle that teach CCNA and whatnot in highschool as well, but generally the kids coming out of the highschool didn't go right into a Network Admin spot, unless it was at Joe's computer repair shop... and then the network was a router and a switch, and a few boxes getting worked on.  Good point though that different areas have different computer cultures heh. 

Hey H1t M0nk3y,

Good reply, and I didn't mean that those with English as a second language always have errors or anything.  Your responses have been very well written as I have seen thus far.  I try to give a bit more slack to those who have English as a second language, since I figure the Spanish speakers that read what I write where I am currently, probably cringe once in a while heh. 

I suppose in his case, he's using more youth slang and such rather than grammatical errors, though there were some missing words etc in his sentences which made me assume perhaps an ESL case.  None the less, it did not strike me as the writting of someone who would be given responsibility over the network of any company.

I would have to agree with the above comments.  The more responses I see to the member questions though, the more leery I am to respond especially with any help.  Unless English is a second language, and if so please ignore this; the use of 'coz' and general grammatical/structural laziness leads me to assume someone younger than a network admin is behind the posting.  Sorry if English is your second language, and please do ignore my suspicions if that is the case.

Sil, very classic.  Very very classic. 

Garethaw, take the advice given, and don't ask to be spoon  fed.  You're past that age, and it generally doesn't go over too well.  The internet is a treasure trove of information... and if you're having trouble finding what you want, ask for a google-fu book from Santa.

-4sh

I am unable to really post on this currently, but look forward to giving my input later... a very interesting topic Don. 

Sweetness. 

Been a while since I looked into that topic myself, anyone know off hand if Fyodor ever put out his DOS'er that used malformed tcp/ip packets? 

Nice.  I've often wondered what the best options were for this as well, as I've heard from both sides.  People trying to make some money off their hours of work... and friends of mine who own companies and don't want to feel extorted.  Good write up Sil, along with justifications for the various routes.

Happy new year folks.  I look forward to seeing what the new year brings us all.  And, hopefully I'll see some of you this year at Defcon.

Very nice!  I look forward to taking a look at this when I get more time at home.  Nice to hear something from CCC, been a while since I heard anything out of them.

When I'm using backtrack, it's generally off of my thumbdrive.  I have a little netbook running ubuntu that I've stripped down and compiled a number of the tools off, but for backtrack itself, I use a thumbdrive and it works fine for me.

I've found backtrack to just be money.  It can be fun to compile all the programs on another linux OS for practice, but the ease of having a thumbdrive with Backtrack loaded up is just... so convenient.  That, and generally it has more tools than I need, lots of options to get the job done.

I'd have to agree with the above sentiments.  I've kind of skimped on getting my certs though... and for the jobs I am currently after... HR won't let me past the door without a CISSP.  Experience, references... hard-arse hr won't let you past the door without certs.  So... I am going through the study material and planning to get the CISSP this year.  Merry Christmas to me.

Merry Christmas to all.  I hope life finds you all well.  I am back!  Heh, well getting back into the swing of things after getting married... moving out of country, and finding myself scrambling to grab my cissp so I can get a job I want.  I'll be around again to see what I can contribute to the community, good to be back.

-4sh

Also.. you can search for Defcon or DC and your local area code.  Most major area codes have their own DC chapter.  Speaking of which, big shout out to the dc206, miss you guys.  Hope Noid makes some good BBQ and everything is going well with the Black Lodge.