502 DEAR HACKER

502 DEAR HACKER

missing because it didn’t tear away perfectly. I just played it cool and was like, “Why won’t this take my ticket?” The bus driver looked and I showed him that I was inserting the ticket properly. I said, “I just took this ticket out of my pack. It’s new! See!” I then showed him the ticket with no markings and he let me on the bus. He didn’t take the ticket from me though! I wasn’t overly surprised because, unlike the last city

I lived in, the bus drivers here aren’t used to interacting with the ticket validation. If it’s invalid, the machine won’t take it and they just deny you access. It’s definitely a weak point in their security though. Since that day, I have used the same ticket around six times. I always pull the same trick (with the same ticket). It helps if they’re really busy with lots of people because they want to rush you through, but it’s worked every time. I just play it cool and play dumb. Do the whole, “Hey my ticket won’t work — I don’t suppose it could be because of this tear?” Then they just wave me on the bus. It’s quite awesome when it’s $3.75

a ride. I suppose it’s more of a social engineering trick than a hack. I also suppose I’m just cheap, but it works and it saves me enough for an extra beer that day and I’m content with that.

So, if you are also too poor for public transportation and your city uses a similar system, give it a try and maybe even get an extra beer that day.

Bus boy At some point you’re going to run into the same driver when pulling this scam. They

may not remember right away but eventually you will become the equivalent of a folk legend within bus driver circles. Just be sure you have an escape route for the day they finally crack the ticket tearing caper.

Dear 2600: I’ve been a reader of your quarterly for about four years and had al-

ways wanted to attend a meeting. However, none were local. For my first meeting I had to travel interstate. That’s not to say that I never before had the opportunity. When I first intended to turn up, I couldn’t find the venue. Grudgingly, I returned home wondering whom I had

A C U LT U R E O F R E B E L S

missed out on meeting. At last, three years after my failed attempt, I’ve finally made it!

Honestly, I am surprised at the individuals I met: older business- people, high school students, university students, and an eccentric bunch of IT guys. The one thing they all had in common was how friendly they were, and I felt so welcomed into the group. I had feared being the odd one out, knowing that I would no way have the same technical knowledge as them. But it wasn’t an issue, and it makes me wonder how I thought that a group of worldly, curious, and learned people would cast out another because they didn’t have that same level of experience. Even though I was only there for a brief amount of time, and knowing that I will not be able to return to another meeting for several months, I will still remember the experience of meeting people who fully share my curiosity and concerns.

I would also like to urge those out there who might share my previous apprehensions to take the plunge and go along to a meeting, even if it’s in a different state or country. Even if you can never attend an- other meeting again, you’ll know that there are others out there. The community does exist.

D. What you described was exactly the atmosphere that a 2600 meeting should

foster. We’re very glad it worked out in your case and we encourage those of you who are regular attendees at a meeting to make sure new people go away with this impression. This is, after all, how we thrive.

Dear 2600:

I was recently interviewed for an IT position. One question they asked caught me off guard: “Are you a hacker?” I couldn’t lie. If I get the job, sooner or later he would see me reading 2600, wearing one of your t-shirts, taking time off to attend hacker conferences, or he’d find out I’m affiliated with HackMiami. I just hope I didn’t shoot myself in the foot.

JP