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B&N Pulls Linux Format Magazine Over Feature On 'Hacking'
New accepted submitter super_rancid writes that issue 154 of the "UK-based Linux Format magazine was pulled from Barnes and Noble bookstores in the U.S. after featuring an article called 'Learn to Hack'. They used 'hack' in the populist security sense, rather than the traditional sense, and the feature — which they put online — was used to illustrate how poor your server's security is likely to be by breaking into it."
Odds are that Linux Format magazine is about to see an increase in circulation.
Say what?
I used to pick up my copies of 2600 at a local B&N years ago...
Sad.
"You worthless post!"
-Shakespeare, 2 Gentlemen of Verona, 1. 1. 147
They'll happily stock martial arts magazines, full of special features about new and exciting ways to hurt people.
In an age where brick and mortar bookstores are no longer the most economic method to deliver printed matter, and where the needs and desires of consumers can be far more fully met online, needlessly exposing yourself to ridicule and consumer anger is not a good business strategy.
Slashdot: Playing Favorites Since 1997
Stop being stupid.
I cut my teeth on articles about "hacking". I've used "hacking" tools going back to the one that got Dan Farmer fired, and before. My interest in security was sparked by downloading an exploit for the Solaris eject command. Download, compile, omg! Root prompt!
The catch? I did all those things on boxes I was paid to secure. I've never broken into anyone's systems but my own, and I have legitimate rights to do that. Information is information. It's not "good" or "bad". I have a bookshelf full of books, mostly bought in your stores, that could teach you how to "hack" or how to secure systems and networks. Guess what I've been paid to do for going on 20 years?
They used 'hack' in the populist security sense
WTF is that?
To 99% of the world, a hacker is someone who steals your password, your money, puts kiddie porn on your computer and publishes all your email.
Like it or not, folks doing legitimate security assessments or building custom gadgets, etc. would do well to come up with term other than "Hacker".
When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
I do. They accept a level of abuse which would kill every electronic device.
TFA states it was pulled "after a complaint" (note singular). I have trouble believing this is the only reason. They pulled all of them from all of their stores in America? I have trouble believing that a single complaint was the only reason. "Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by stupidity," goes the quote, and I think it applies here. If M$ were the reason then they'd pull *all* Linux stuff. Likewise if they wanted to pull every example of "how to do bad things" off their shelves they'd have to take a LOT of books down.
Scarne on Cards
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarne-on-cards-john-scarn/1104279175?ean=9780451167651
Teaches you how to cheat at card games.
Originally produced for the US Army during WW2, it was designed to reveal methods of cheating so a soldier could tell when he was being cheated, just like the Linux Format article.
Understanding bad people is not the same as being a bad person; ignorance is neither power nor protection.
"I believe in Karma. That means I can do bad things to people all day long and I assume they deserve it." : Dogbert
WIndows is like being raised in Stepford.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Actually, Woz built the blue box on his own. Jobs convinced him he could sell it for like $125 or so (it cost $25 to build). But those were really just the prankish college days. To found Apple, Woz had to hock his beloved HP calculator in order to buy the parts necessary to build the Apple 1.
Jobs and Woz were friends very early on (started in childhood).
Anyhow, I think the damage caused these days would be far less than in the 70s. Firstly, it seems deadtree is dying in favor of electronic media, and I'm sure anyone who can't find the deadtree can find billions of similar articles online, if not going to the official website and reading it there. In the 70s, magazines were timely and important sources of information. These days, not so much since the Internet is far faster at it.
Echo: Bravo - Sierra
Publicity / maybe a local story "with legs"
BN sells books on Metaspolit, wardriving, and even "Steal magazines.
Idea: maybe if one or two complaints causes this kind of reaction, imagine if their phones were to experience the /. phenomenon and just 0.05% of us complained, say about the sadism and child abuse in "The Hunger Games", or the mediocrity of the last Moby album?
Can we use the power of /. for the good of society? !
Nah.. nevermind.. no profit involved. Bask to work.
I have trouble believing either the reason B&N gave, or your more sinister reason. My counter to both of them is contained in this link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/linux-hacking?keyword=linux+hacking&store=allproducts
Which shows the result of typing "linux hacking" into the barnesandnoble.com search box. They sell literally dozens of titles on the subject of hacking and Linux, Some of which use the "tinkering with" definition of hacking, and others of which use the "breaking into" definition. I've seen many of these books in the physical stores too. This sounds like some management weenie over reacting to a complaint and little else.
I don't need a million points of light, just two points of multi-mode fiber and a 10 Gig-E router.
I was about to mention 2600, as well. WTF? They drop Linux Format because they published an article that tells you how to test your web server's security, but they still sell 2600?
MCSE? No, sir...I don't do Windows. Yes, I am an idealist. What's your point?