Penetration Testing mailing list archives
Rules of the road for 2005
From: Alfred Huger <ah () securityfocus com>
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 21:59:26 -0700 (MST)
All, The Pen-Test is now in it's 5th year of operation. I can' tell you how satisfying it'ss been to run it for this duration. I'd like to thank all the posters who make this list what it is. Many of you who post regularly hold a debt of gratitude from me, I learn almost daily from this list and that'sa gift difficult to assign a value to. Thanks! Generally once a year I post some basic rules on list etiquette and general behavior and given it'ss around the time when we are all settling into this new year now seems as good a time as any. So here are some basic rules I'd like to see followed on the list this year: 1. If you have nothing nice to say - say it elsewhere. This one is pretty basic and should speak for itself. If you have a reply to a topic and cannot manage to keep it civil keep it to yourself. You always have the liberty of venting your spleen in a blog or perhaps to your friends but I would rather you did not use this forum to lessen the pressure on your vitriol valve. 2. If you can google, please do. If you have a very basic question try to search our archives (www.securityfocus.com) or run a search through google. I will allow basic posts as I see real value in this list as a learning vehicle but we are best served if you at least try to learn for yourself through available methods. 3. Do not X-post. This is basic net etiquette, which extends back far more years than this list has existed. Cross posting introduces a host or problems, which cause me headaches (mailer loops, out of office storms etc.) and therefore will get dropped. 4. Be specific when criticizing a product or tool. When you are posting criticisms about a tool or product (be it open source or commercial) be polite and specific. Regardless of how you feel about a piece of software you do yourself a disservice by being vague or rude when listing it's perceived deficiencies. Please remember, that whether you appreciate the work or not, someone did work and likely worked *hard* to build the product you've found lacking and may well read this list. Therefore please, think before you type. If you absolutely must be pointed past the point of good manners hunt out another list to post to. 5. Be helpful if at all possible. This is general and not something I've ever thought to bring up before. In my mind it essentially means if you can help someone out, do so. This industry is still small (all things being relative) but has over the last 5 or so years IMO the technical side of ourindustry has taken a turn for the worst. We seem to pander to egomaniacs and people who offer little value other than sharp technical skills and sharper tongues. All too often we give people who are vicious and myopic a pass on their behavior because of their technical skills. This is purely and utterly ridiculous. A clever mind does not give you license to be nasty any more than a good physique gives you license to beat people. As an industry we need to stop tolerating this and worse yet we need to stop taking vicarious pleasure in watching it. All of this ultimately provides little in the way of real growth. If you have a chance to help someone learn something new or access a new opportunity in this industry I would urge you to do it. Even if it means something as simple as offering good sound advice on this list. It is my belief that good things do in fact come back around. Regards, -al
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- Rules of the road for 2005 Alfred Huger (Jan 04)