posted November 09, 2004 12:56 PM           

For the record, Meili, Shizuka, magidivision and myself are all separate people. There is a post here ( http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000916.html ) by coldiron, where he vouches for that fact.

Coldiron doesn't exactly like any of us all that much and has no reason to lie. But he's spoken with us in person and he knows that we are all separate people.

I live in Colorado, Meili and Shizuka live somewhere in Canada, magidivision (I believe) lives in Iran, and coldiron lives in either England or Scotland, I forget which.

Assuming that neither myself, nor coldiron, nor Meili are lying about this, the question of Randall's "irrefutable proof" about the IP addresses comes into question.

Randall has stated repeatedly something to the effect that "IPs do not lie."

He is wrong. Not only can they lie, but when one wishes to keep one's location anonymous, they most certainly CAN lie.

Setting all mystical possibilities aside, (this is Linda-Goodman.com after all. Heaven forbid we keep an open mind to possibilities that may go beyond the ability of science to explain), there are at least three non-mystical methods that I can think of to appear to be posting from another's location.

Now of course Randall cannot be blamed for drawing the conclusions that he has drawn. Randall is not a computer guy. He is a guy with a computer who has been shown a few things about how the internet works.

The fact that he presumes to present an "open and shut case" just shows that his knowledge of computers and the internet are lacking.

I am a software engineer, I AM a computer guy. Here are the facts:

(Don't think that it hasn't dawned on me that explaining this to you people serves to point the finger back at me. OH well, you haven't read a thing I've written with an open mind yet. I'm not going to be anymore heartbroken than I already am if you close your minds and start slinging sh*t at me again. Cest La'Vie.)

IP Spoofing

One of these methods is IP spoofing. You will find a definition in the link above, and there is more than enough information out there about this technique, for you folks to educate yourselves. (Which would be a refreshing change from the accusations fostered of ignorance that have been flying around here lately.)

IP spoofing basically is done by changing the packet header information of a TCP/IP packet so that it looks like you are coming from somewhere else.

An educated hacker could easily look like he was coming from Randall's house if he so desired. A non-computer literate person could do so with one of several programs that are available all over the internet.

Another method involves actually "bouncing" a packet off of another person's computer. In order to do this, you would need to have a program running on that person's computer.

If you were a trusted friend, it wouldn't be a problem to get them to run a program that would install packet redirection software on their computer. From then on, whenever their computer was on and connected to the internet you could simple send packets through their computer to wherever you wanted them to go and it would look like THEY sent the packets. (Meili has highspeed internet so it's always online.)

I'll save the last method for you to find out about on your own.

Now I have never used either of these two techniques myself. I have no reason to.

Everything I've ever done that I am ashamed of, I've apologized for, and my online name has been good enough for me for 27 years now.

I'm not about to change it or go skulking around with my tail between my legs simply because a group of people think that "ganging up on me to keep the peace" is going to deter me from speaking my mind.

Peer pressure bored me in high school, it bores me now.

I've known Meili, Shizuka and her husband for over a year now. They have always proven to be honorable people who have kept their word and never let a friend down. They've never said a bad word about any of you either, unless of course you consider being called "confused", bad mouthing.

I don't consider it bad-mouthing.

This lynch mob has been confused about the nature of how IP addresses worked, they've been confused about who magidivision really is, and they have been confused about the intention of these posts.

Furthermore, they've been confused about the nature of freedom of expression.

When you "gang up to keep the peace" what you are doing is intimidating others who have a minority opinion because you disagree with that opinion.

I've said my piece. I won't be reading this thread again, because frankly, I've had all of the sh*t flung at me that I feel like taking for now, and so rather than "shove it down my own throat" by reading this post again. I choose to ignore it.

posted November 09, 2004 02:44 PM         

Please refrain from making any further assumptions concerning me. Whatever you, or anyone else, may believe mind-reading is not amongst your powers. Nor are you competent, at this time, to accurately assess the Being-state of another.
It is also, more simply, a breach of adab.

Regards,

posted November 09, 2004 02:47 PM         

coldiron,

posted November 09, 2004 03:08 PM         

Librasparkle,

In general, any action which is lacking in courtesy(Adab).

For further information, the topic of adab is broad and deep, the following may be of assistance: http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/adab.htm
http://www.nuradeen.com/Reflections/AdabOfTheMureed1.htm

The first is perhaps more accessible than the second. However, whilst hunting I did find this to be interesting:

" Contention and quarrelsomeness are both based on discord and disharmony, and are therefore aspects of ignorance. These two vices cause intimacy and friendship to disappear, producing instead repulsion, separation, dislike, hostility and ultimately destruction and breakdown, for the entire world and its functions and the universe itself depend on familiarity, love, harmony and unity.

Quarrelsomeness is among those basic corruptions that disrupt the order of the universe. As such, it is one of the most abhorred and destructive of vices. Engaging in contention or quarrelsomeness is to preserve one's own position while attacking another's. It is essentially destructive and negative.

The manner of resolving a dispute is as important as the reason for it. Quarrelsomeness only brings about greater anger, which in turn casts veil upon veil over ignorance. Instead of illuminating the heart of the matter, the darkness of ignorance is reinforced. It must therefore be stopped. The remedy is to bite one's tongue. Simply not to reply. Silence.

The treatment requires awareness and insight. The remedy can occur if one does not cling to a fixed image of oneself and one's position and reputation. Once a person sees that what one is doing is causing greater discord and dispersion, then the process of reduction and of an eventual end to one's pugnacious ways may occur. With that realization, one will only respond if it is of help or positive benefit to another, and if it upholds justice. This positive response will neutralize the contention, whereupon clarity will prevail and all will benefit.

-- Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

Regards,

posted November 09, 2004 03:18 PM         

quote:

---

The remedy is to bite one's tongue. Simply not to reply. Silence.

---

posted November 09, 2004 03:30 PM         

There's room for everything under my stars.

posted November 09, 2004 03:38 PM         

Very true. As the Shaykh goes on to say we must look for the positive response which is of service and upholds justice.

Though from another angle, since everything begins in the silent depths, silence(inner silence) is always the starting point.

posted November 09, 2004 03:53 PM         

I believe in a life that somehow finds its balance in the Yin and Yang. That silence has no greater value than cacophony.

Further, I believe that All paths are the Right Path. There is none greater than any other.

posted November 09, 2004 04:06 PM         

and if he could... WHY post from that IP address and discredit everything he/she/it/they were trying to portray?

I'm just sayin'.

posted November 09, 2004 05:41 PM         

Trillian,

The respect is appreciated but...

I prefer catma ;-)

posted November 09, 2004 07:17 PM         

Greetings coldiron

Strangely, I find I am not under this impression. Although, I can certainly understand why daf might be.

posted November 10, 2004 10:28 AM         

showzya how dumb I am....

posted November 10, 2004 02:57 PM         

Tink,

I am, thank you for asking.

I hope you are also well. Certainly, you continue to be well as far as I can tell.

Regards,

posted November 17, 2004 11:18 PM           

Two things will be shared with you this evening. One of them is personal and powerful, the other is impersonal and powerful. You, as always, are free to decide which is which.

Since my TRUE opinion has been publicly spoken, I will only briefly repeat it here.

Until you have been repeatedly targeted for manipulation by those who would use your words to further their cause, you cannot and will not ever know my position, nor will you know my reason for doing things.

You are not expected to. You will likely cling to your beliefs like the dear friends you take them to be and follow them into disbelief when they fail you. That is as it should be. Who could and would change that if not you?

I do not believe that we have a "Master" among us and I won't until he comes to my door and looks my wife and daughter in the eyes, passing muster with them.

I am well protected by their instincts and will continue to rely on this gift of awareness that I have been availed of through these two highly gifted ladies.

Most of you cannot know why I have done what I have done and your biases, in most cases will refuse you that clarity.

Again, so be it, and it is as it should be. I stand by my decisions (except perhaps for this one) for knowing them to be right and true.

Now to put to rest this nonsense about IPs.

No Randall, it is not difficult at all to fake a location via IP.

In fact, it is the easiest thing in the world to do, no special programs are required, and I have a collection of IPs which I could use to appear from just about anywhere in the world that I might want to. (I don't want to.)

Here then, is a crash course in hiding your physical location. The sole purposes for posting this information are:

A) To allow those to hide their IP who do NOT wish their location to be known to the elite few who have the ability to view that information here.

B) To end, once and for all these claims of "proof" of location based on ignorance. You have been misinformed. IPs mean nothing to a person who is intent on hiding their location. Please understand that and know that there are people here who are certainly intent on manipulating the facts for their own benefit.

If it's any consolation, I'm still in Colorado and my IP will continue to reflect that.

Your judgemental opinions are irrelevant to me. No doubt you will bat them about among yourselves. It seems to be a favorite hobby among people who cling to belief.

Here's how any of you can pretend to be posting from anywhere in the world that you would like to be. (Not saying that you DO, just saying that you could, if you wanted to...easily.)

I will provide 15 different locations around the world from which you may appear. Both U.S. cities and third world countries will be represented to show you that this is not isolated, but widespread, worldwide.

I have a collection of around 60 different countries. That collection could easily be expanded to hundreds if I so desired. I do not desire to do so.

Step 1: Open Internet Explorer

Step 2: Click on "Tools" in the menu bar

Step 3: Select "Internet Options"

Step 4: Click on the "Connections" tab

Step 5: Click on the "LAN Settings" button

Step 6: Make sure the following box is checked: "Use a proxy server for your LAN"

Step 7: Make sure the following box is checked: "Bypass proxy server for local addresses"

Step 8: Choose a location you would like to appear from.

Step 9: Now enter one of the following addresses into the "Address" box, as well as the port into the "Port" box.

address: 217.219.151.3 port: 3128
Location: Tehran, Iran

address: 200.109.231.102 port: 8080
Location: Caracas, Venezuela

address: 62.58.32.36 port: 80
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

address: 61.182.39.219 port: 8080
Location: Beijing, China

address: 200.42.212.42 port: 80
Location: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

address: 212.36.213.15 port: 8080
Location: Beirut, Lebanon

address: 68.79.245.9 port: 8080
Location: Chicago, IL, U.S.A.

address: 203.59.162.122 port: 8080
Location: Perth, Australia

address: 68.164.171.236 port: 8080
Location: San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.

address: 200.30.146.98 port: 8080
Location: Guatemala, Guatemala

address: 195.245.247.155 port: 80
Location: Southwark, England

address: 61.11.56.195 port: 8080
Location: Madras, India

address: 194.149.135.3 port: 80
Location: Skopje, Macedonia

address: 200.24.174.149 port: 6588
Location: Lima, Peru

address: 202.175.234.165 port: 80
Location: Makati, Phillipines

Now post here at Lindaland, if you like. You will apeear to be posting from one of the locations above, the one that you chose.

The Truth does not now nor has it ever relied on your opinions (or mine) to establish it's true nature.

You continue to establish yourselves (those that open your mouths with little to say that resembles reality) as the authorities on nothing.

Too bad the elections are over. They kept many of you busy enough posting at GU to avoid spreading illogical drivel elsewhere.

Have fun with this post. No doubt I've simply stirred the sh*t at the bottom of the jar. Oh well, some people are simply looking for a reason to be stirred up.

My tooth hurts and I'm just drunk enough this evening from trying to numb the pain not to care. Wee haw.

daf

P.S. Silverbells, I'll share with you what I know about all of the lunacy that went down here in my next email. You've earned at least that much with your persistance. The rest of these folks can munch on their misconceptions. I'm not as interested in watching them learn as I once was. Call it my failing...I do.

posted November 18, 2004 12:30 AM         

"Wee haw" .....cool to see human as well as humane.