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OSAll (www.aviary-mag.com) - Frequently Asked Questions
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This is version 1.0 of the FAQ. It was compiled by Vitaly
McLain (twistah@datasurge.net). The information presented
here is, obviously, from the chief editor of OSAll, Mike
Huddack.
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-----[ Prelude.
As OSAll is gaining popularity, its visitors are getting curious
about various issues. Instead of getting a constant stream of
emails and floods of messages on IRC, OSAll decided it was time
to compile their very first FAQ. As time goes on, this FAQ will
grow. This FAQ was compiled during the weekend of 11/19/99.
-----[ The FAQ!
Q: What is OSAll about?
A: OSAll is something of a cross between a security news site,
a hacker news site and a site for learning more about computer
security. For more information, read the Methodology section.
OSAll incorporates a little bit of everything, while focusing on
a narrow subject at the same time. Focusing on one narrow subject
allows for OSAll to write a well-researched article, covering
everything it should cover. This also gives OSAll a bigger, better
scoop then most other news agencies, which have many subjects
to cover.
Q: What makes OSAll different from other 'news sites' on the 'Net?
A: Most news sites have a lot of breadth but not much depth
(read: CNN, MSNBC, et cetera). OSAll focuses on one subject
and gives lots of depth but not much width. Our main subject
is computer security. If it has to do with computer security,
you can bet we'll have a complete, detailed story about it.
If it's not computer security, you will probably have to look
somewhere else. A plane goes down? Go to CNN.Com. A major hole
is discovered in a popular software package, allowing crackers
to easily access high profile sites? Point your browser to
Aviary-Mag.Com for an article that's researched and written
by people who actually understand computer security.
Q: Is OSAll a 'company' and how does it get funding?
A: OSAll is technically not a company. It consists of the main
editor, Mike Huddack, and a few other regular writers. This may
change in the future as venture capitol has been offered to turn
OSAll into a software company. The funding comes from banners on
the web site and from the editor's 'other jobs' - mostly web design
and computer security related things.
Q: Who are the other members of the OSAll team?
A: There is Brian Martin, who writes a weekly column. Brian
is well-known and respected in the security field and is
part of the team that maintains the highly popular web site,
Attrition.Org. Russ Rogers does yet another weekly column,
and some general site maintenance. Russ also maintains his own
domain, at DuckTank.Net. Huntles is responsible
for the 'odds and ends', mainly the mailing list and boosting
the members' morale. :) Mike McIver is the 'virtual office gopher',
and does the grunt work around OSAll (which is equally as
important!). The site also benefits from readers and anyone
who sends in tips, news and words of encouragement.
Q: Why is it called OSAll anyway?
A: The OS in OSAll has nothing to do with 'operating system'.
OSAll stands for Owl Site All. Owl is the main editors' life-long
nickname. Since Owl made a lot of web sites, he had to number them
all. Eventually they were all combined, which became Owl Site All,
or OSAll for short.
Q: Where did the domain name Aviary-Mag.Com come from?
A: Aviary-Mag.Com was originally started as a political satire
site. Mike ('Owl') started it with another friend, dubbed
'Hawk' or 'Falcon'. Here is the train of though that led to
Aviary: Owl is a bird. Falcon/Hawk is a bird. Birds are Avians.
An Avian home is an Aviary. 'Mag' is simply short for Magazine.
The focus of the sites shifted to computer security and the
name changed to OSAll, but the domain name never did.
Q: Does OSAll support cracking/phreaking and other illicit activities?
A: Sorry, but every case is different, and it is impossible to answer
such a broad and general question. OSAll does not CONDONE any
illegal activity, and will never support anything malicious!
Q: What can I do to support OSAll?
A: Write articles, send in news tips, send in monetary donations,
hardware, advertise with us...anything. Make sure to stop by
#OSAll on EfNet and give the crew some moral support. Contact
editor@aviary-mag.com for more specific information.
Q: Can you teach me how to hack?
A: No.
Q: I am a terrorist from a small third-world country and
I am interested in paying you a large sum of money for
passwords to .mil servers, are you interested?
A: No. (Please realize that that was a joke question.)
Q: How can I contact OSAll?
A: First, visit www.aviary-mag.com for information. Mike, the editor,
can be contacted at: editor@aviary-mag.com. The staff and friends
are usually on #OSAll on EfNet.
Q: If I subscribe to the mailing list will I get spammed?
A: No. A minimum of one newsletter a week, and sometimes a breaking
story will be tossed in. Don't worry about getting spammed,your
address won't be released to anybody.
Q: How close is OSAll to the FBI?
A: Mike once had to talk to the FBI about an impending crime for legal
reasons. If the discussion hadn't taken place Mike could be
considered an accessory to the crime and prosecuted as such. After
that he had lunch with two FBI agents. Details can be found on the
Web site. With that in mind, no information contacts give to OSAll
is divulged unless it's about a crime which has not yet been
committed.
Q: How often does OSAll update?
A: Generally every weekday. Once in a blue moon OSAll staff goes on
vacation for a day or two (once for as long as a week). If there's
no update on any particular weekday please don't e-mail OSAll staff,
they already know.
-----[ Conclusion.
We hope you enjoyed the FAQ. If you would like to add more questions
to the FAQ or would like for us to change something, either contact
editor@aviary-mag.com or twistah@datasurge.net. You can also message
us on IRC. We hope you enjoyed the very first FAQ.
Completed at 11:35PM Central, 11/19/99.
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