Wiki pages

Crabgrass

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:23:59 +0000

Elijah will present Crabgrass, "a software libre web application designed for group and network organizing, and tailored to the needs of the global justice movement. The long term goal is to provide the technical tools to facilitate active, confederal, and directly democratic social change networks."

GIMP

akkana — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:16:54 +0000

A GIMP session tailored to whatever the participants are interested in. I'll probably start with basic photo manipulation and a look at the new goodies in GIMP 2.4, but we can cover any topics anyone wants to ask about.

Edit this page to list topics you'd like to see included!

GIMP workshop

akkana — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:13:08 +0000

Edit this page to list topics you'd like to see included!

How this site was built

mark B. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:42:19 +0000

This site is implemented as a drupal wiki site using rötzi's install profile, http://drupal.org/project/drupal_wiki, which makes setting up a drupal wiki easier than ever. The talk module moves comments to a separate page, and "what links here" is provided by the backlinks module. Drupal contrib modules can be downloaded from http://drupal.org/project/Modules.

installed contrib modules

backlinks : see what links here
captcha : force spambots to do a little math problem before posting
diff : see differences between two versions of a page
form_collect : create a registry of forms used on the site for the captcha
form_store : same as above
image : allow people to upload images
panels : create layouts for certain special pages
pathauto : give each page a nice URL with the title of the wiki page
pearwiki_filter : an implementation of the text filter used by MediaWiki
recent_changes : see recent updates to the site
simplemenu : provides a dropdown navigation menu for moderators
spam : automatically detect and also allow people to report spam
subscriptions : allow users to get an email when a page is updated or commented on, or a new page is added
talk : move comments to a separate page
views : create views, which are listings of content
views_bonus_grid : create a grid of links to content items
views_rss : create customizable RSS feeds
views_ui : a user interface to create and configure views
wikitools : allow people to create a new wiki page when they land on one that does not exist

Ideas for future hackmeetings

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:09:49 +0000

an extra room for hardware & electronics hacking (something like new college's art room would be great).

I want to propose that we have another hackmeeting either right before or at the No Borders Camp on nov 5-11th in Calexico and Mexicali. Fortunately, if we do it at the camp, we have a location. The strasbourg no borders camp is a great example of how hacktivism can be a major part of no border camps!

http://www.nettime.org/Lists-Archives/nettime-l-0207/msg00185.html

I also propose that we plan to have audio/video/irc/jabber possibilities for people who can't physically make it. Was there some kind of hookup with the other hackmeets that were happening at the same time?

Introduction to everyday encryption

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 09:04:04 +0000

Notes On Every Day Encryption

Why is encryption important
- Encryption is important because any data that you send is going through several computers
- Flow of data:

 ***Your computer ---> Router ---->  5-10 intermediate servers ---> other users router ---> other users computer.

- So there are many points at which someone might intercept your conversation
- Who might read your messages?
  - advertisers (google)
  - governments (AT&T, NSA)
  - other weirdos (Private Investigators, Police, Stalkers?)

- The other reason that encryption is important is that the more encrypted data that is in the flow of traffic, the harder it will be to seperate the wheat from the chafe.
- If all your data is encrypted, it will be harder for someone to find the one piece of data that they are looking for.
- Also, the more encrypted data there is in the world the more that governments will have trouble finding interesting informaiton, amongst the non interesting information.
- The more encryption is used the stronger it becomes
What Is Encryption
- According to Wikipedia:

“In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information (referred to as plaintext) to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information (in cryptography, referred to as ciphertext). In many contexts, the word encryption also implicitly refers to the reverse process, decryption (e.g. “software for encryption” can typically also perform decryption), to make the encrypted information readable again (i.e. to make it unencrypted).”

Public Key Encryption:
- Public key encryption is the proccess where by you encrypt plain text using what is called a public and private key.
  - Each person involved in a public key encryption will have both a public key and a private key. The public key will be distributed to everyone who you want to be able to send you encrypted information and your private key will be used to decrypt it.
  - So if bob is sending some information to alice, bob will encrypt the information with alices public key. Alice can then decrypt the information with her private key. Which only she has.
  - Your public key can (and has) to be given to any one who you wish to communicate with.

Your private key can also be used to digitally 'sign' messages which creates a unique signature on the message. A recipient can use your public key to verify that the signature is in fact yours.

This is the type of encryption we will be talking about.
Encryption Programs:
- Instant messaging
- The downfall of instant messenging is that it is all done in plain text, that means that every time alice sends bob a message, it passes through both their computers and all computers in between in plain text, making it very easy for someone to overhear the message.
- OTR Messaging
  - OTR Messaging ( which stands for Off The Record Messaging ) is a piece of software that lets you encrypt your conversations on various instant messenging services using Public Key Encryption.
  - You can download OTR as either a plugin for your instant messenger client or as a stand alone server

 OTR can be downloaded from http://cypherpunks.ca/otr

- Supported IM Clients for plugin:
  - Pidgin/Gaim (windows/linux)
  - Trillian (Windows)
  - AudiumX ( OS X )
  - Kopete
- OTR Proxy server will work with any client
- Support Messaging Protocols
  - AIM
  - Yahoo
  - MSN
  - ICQ
  - Gtalk ?

How to install and configure pidgin and OTR

Download pidgin from http://pidgin.im/
Download OTR plugin for pidgin from http://cypherpunks.ca/otr
Install both.
Start pidgin
In the buddy list click Tools->Plugins
Scroll down to Off The Record Messaging
Click the box to enable it and then select it
Click the button that says, 'configure plugin'
Select the account that you want and click 'Generate Key'
This will generate your public and private key's when it is done, you are ready to go!
If you want to test this later you can reach me with the following :
- AIM: xlintcorex
- Yahoo: flatline_hackbloc
- MSN: flatline_hackbloc
Fingerprint Verification in OTR
- A fingerprint is a unique number that is gerated from your key, it can be used to verify that the person who gave you the key is really who they say they are.
- Fingerprint verification is important in that if you are sending encrypted messages you want to be absolutely sure that the recipient is who they say they are.
How to verify:
- Find your fingerprint, in pidgin this can be found in Tools->Plugins-> Off the record messaging -> configure plugin
- Now call or visit in person the party that you are verifying the key of, if you are not sure of the persons identity, ask for some ID!
- Now they will read their fingerprint to you, if it is the same as the fingerprint you have on file for them, then you have successfully verified their public key
- Now they will read your fingerprint to them and they will confirm it in the same manner.

Other Encryption Software

OTHER ENCRYPTION SOFTWARE
- Tor
  - Tor is a network of computers called 'onion routers' that work together as a proxy to obfusticate the source of traffic. This can be a very secure way to visit web sites anonymously if used properly.

http://tor.eff.org/overview.html.en

Scatter Chat
- Scatter chat is a fork of the Gaim project which uses TOR and encryption to encrypt and obfusticate the source of a chat from one party to another. It allows people to communicate without any listening party to know who is communicating where the communication is coming from or what is being said, if used properly. It was designed by the hacktivismo collective.

http://scatterchat.com

SSH Tunnelling
- SSH Tunnelling is a very powerfull technique that can let you use a secure shell server that you have access to as a proxy for your internet connection. This can be done on linux/mac OS X with the standard SSH client and on windows with puTTY

IRC how-to

mark B. — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:36:28 +0000

Using IRC

Pidgin -- http://pidgin.im/ -- works on Windows or Linux.

In Pidgin, go to add/edit accounts and click Add.
Protocol: IRC
Screen name: whatever you want that to be
Server: irc.indymedia.org
(everything else can be blank)
Then on the Advanced tab:
Port: 6697
check "Use SSL"
(everything else can be blank)
When you save and enable this account you now have a secure encrypted chat session!
Type "/join #madpenguins" to get on the channel.
Try "/help" for help.

IRC Meetings

http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Help/IrcMeetingHowTo

irc meeting 2007-07-20

mark B. — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:31:17 +0000

IRC how-to

Friday, July 20th 12:00 noon PDT
Channel: irc.indymedia.org #madpenguins
facilitator: ?

Agenda

hackmeet date (sept. 29th?)
location (new college?)
workshops/tracks (ideas, volunteer facilitators, panel/discussions)
outreach (groups we want to reach out to?)
inperson bay area logistical meetup
url for radical tech blog/hosting
ideas for who will work on it and how it will be set up

Main page

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 23:01:12 +0000

Welcome to hackmeet.org wiki home for west coast hackmeetings. The Mad Penguins are a network of hacktivist groups throughout the west coast. We are using technology to dream the worlds we want and creating it now, not waiting for some far off revolution. Still, we are critiquing our selves and techno-culture at large and working towards those worlds, engaging in the long process of heavy construction and quick process of light prototyping.

An October 2008 Bay Area Hackmeet is now in planning. Join the madpeguins list to participate!

Weekly Hackmeet in Oakland

Upcoming West Coast Hack Meetings

Previous West Coast Hack Meetings

West Coast Hacktivist Groups

How this site was built

North South Technological Solidarity

mark B. — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:00:08 +0000

Facilitated by ali

In this workshop we will discuss various aspects of North-South technological solidarity projects. Particular examples will come from previous projects between the United States and Mexico (and other ones that you might bring to the workshop). Hopefully together we will be able to gain a better sense of solidarity and in terms or technological donations, support and collaborations. Let's not forget that our movement is global and solidarity can be a powerful weapon.

October 2008 Bay Area Hackmeet

mark B. — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:35:03 +0000

In planning. Join the madpenguins list -- and introduce yourself -- to participate!

Previous West Coast Hack Meetings

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:55:11 +0000

West Coast hackmeeting in bay area

Oct. 13th-14th, 2007 at New College SF

HackBloc Oakland SkillShare

Sunday August 26th at a secret location
Topics: security culture analog/digital, bump keys, pirating movies, drug safety, bike repair, security auditing, rappelling, fixing walls

freeTech unconference

The mad penguins network of west coast hactivists originated out of the freeTech "unconference" in March 2007. Read more about freeTech.

European hackmeetings

These hackmeetings were inspired by hackmeetings organized by hacklabs in europe. You can read about some of those here:

Schedule of Workshops

mark B. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:55:34 +0000

Schedule (in progress):

Saturday, October 13
- 11am
  - Live video+audio streaming (spirit, mark B.)
- 12pm
  - Crabgrass (Elijah)
  - Speed Geeking Show 'n Tell
- 1pm
  - LUNCH
- 2pm
  - Pirate Radio: Tech basics and activist application brainstorming (Dennis Williams)
- 3pm
  - Introduction to everyday encryption using pgp, otr, scatterchat, etc. (flatline)
  - design principles
- 4pm
  - Peer2Peer: sharing is caring
  - gender race & tech (rae)
- 5pm
  - North-South Technological Solidarity (Ali)
Sunday, October 14
- 11am
  - intro to drupal content management system (rae)
- 12pm
  - Drupal site building (mark B.)
  - EFF's Legal Guide for Bloggers (richard)
- 1pm
  - LUNCH
- 2pm
  - Open source digital audio editing
  - Gimp: Digital image editing/graphic design (Akkana)
  - Also! No Borders Camp (SF Division) theory/planning meeting in Room 4. The general meeting is not part of hackmeet but we will also be hosting an impromptu planning meeting for the *Temporary Pirato Radio Station* we will set up during the Camp. [Mexicali/Calexico Nov 5-11]
- 3pm
  - (Free) audio/Video online usage/ embedding metavid.ucsc.edu (dale)
  - Wiki mashups (mediaWiki) example site: migrwatch.org (dale)
- 4pm
  - Intro to Tor & Anycast Cloud Bursting (Jacob Appelbaum)
  - radical media discussion
- 5pm

Ongoing sessions will include:

GNU Linux install fest (bring laptops/old computers/etc.)
BOF (Birds Of a Feather) - break-out sessions after/instead of workshops about specific sub-topics or things not covered / drink beer and talk (but with some structure) (??)
- Voice Over IP for radical individuals/collectives - Existing networks / future ideas (asterisk and etc.)
- Indymedia
- Linux Terminal Server Project / Thin-Clients - Creating cheap computer clusters for work centers / convergence spaces for radical individuals / collectives
- Ruby on Rails

Upcoming West Coast Hack Meetings

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:57:14 +0000

October 2008 Bay Area Hackmeet

Weekly Hackmeet in Oakland

Ideas for future hackmeetings

Weekly Hackmeet in Oakland

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:46:42 +0000

We are meeting every wednesday at 7:30 in Oakland at the HackBloc house to discuss technology, work on any projects we have (don't have to be hackbloc related.) We also will occasionally have teach-ins if anyone wants to teach anything and talk about how we can support the surrounding communitiy. And even occasionally work on hackbloc related projects. This is at the hackbloc house in oakland, so feel free to stop by if you already know where it is. Otherwise email flatline : flatline@hackbloc.org or call him if you have his number.

West Coast hackmeeting in bay area

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:15:03 +0000

Add to ideas for future hackmeets!!!

Here http://hackmeet.org/wiki/ideas_for_future_hackmeetings

Media

Akkana Peck's talk on GIMP 2.4: http://www.indybay.org/uploads/2007/10/18/hackmeet_gimp_320kb.mp4

Saturday, Oct. 13th - Sunday, Oct. 14th, 2007

The West Coast Hackmeeting in San Francisco is scheduled for October 13-14, 2007, to coincide with hackmeetings in Chicago, Guernica, Lima, Santiago, São Paulo, and Vancouver.

Location

New College, 780 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA (between 18th and 19th St)
- Transit: a short walk from 16th St Mission BART. Transit trip planner
- All day parking: on Guerrero south of 19th, Dolores and the side streets between Guerrero and Dolores: 19th, Cumberland, 20th St
- Ride sharing: there may be ride shares available for people in Portland and Santa Cruz, or along the way. Contact us and we'll see if we can find you a ride!

Logistics

Two days of skillshare workshops and panels: 2 tracks and 6 sessions from 11am–6pm.

Schedule of workshops

Important: Are you coming to the hackmeeting? Sign up below so you can have a chair to sit on and some lunch to eat! Otherwise, we won't have enough to share...

West Coast Hacktivist Groups

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 05:00:48 +0000

Add more!

borderlands Hacklab

HACKBLOC.ORG

infotage portland