standard reply for noobs asking about locks in use?

[ElbowMacaroni]

There is a main rules page you need to read when registering, or at least there was about a year ago...

but, like every other user agreement on-line, pple just pass by and press the necessary buttons. Ever read that user agreement when installing windows? heh...

I still think a standard response contained in a sticky with more detail is the way to go.

And that funky little Triangle with the "!" in the middle, its your friend for anything a mod/admin needs to see which does not involve direct conservation. (report off topic threads, spam, rudeness, fighting, etc)

Think of it like dialling 911 or 611. Quicker that way than a PM since moderators log on/off at different times, and some don't sign in for a few days @ a time.

It should be possible for someone with some PHP and JS kung fu or even just some PHP and JS kinda fu, to make the TOS have to be scrolled through to the bottom before the checkbox to agree to the TOS would enabled. That might at least make people be more likely to read. Or possibly make a primary checkbox at the bottom of the TOS that enables the main "I agree" checkbox.

Just some thoughts here.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Oh, and can you help me pick my neighbor's front door? They are never home so you know they won't find out </sarcasm>

[unlisted]

Fine. Time to be mean.

One more off topic reply to this, and it will be trashed, NEVER to be revived.

[cppdungeon]

Back to the topic;

I have changed my mind. I like to play the devils advocate, so I will say that I think its good to have people make these rubbish posts. why?

1. It lets (less crafty) people who would use the skills taught here for ill filter themselves out. It only takes one or two posts of "how do i pick washing machine/car/high security lock on a big building" to root them out.

2. It gives other noobs a constant example of what NOT to be like. It only takes one glance at the post for another member to go "man, no way would i want to be like THAT GUY". Even if they don't read the stickies/rules, they are likely to click on a new thread and see some idiot get blasted.

3. It lets people know that we really, really don't help just anyone.

4. (not serious) Post count. Must I say more?

--Cpp

[unlisted]

I'm not talking about killing all the :rubbish: posts, but just having a standard way to respond (post something and provide a link) Rubbish posts would not be deleted, or locked unless necessary.


anyways, I'll leave this open until it spirals into oblivion, goes way off topic, or we get some good ideas.

[LocksmithArmy]

I find a copy paste response a waste of users time, we would just ignore them if we did not want to make an example vent a bit or just fuss. I always liked the

refer to http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=10528

posts because if they had read these threads to begin with they ether wouldnt have posted the way they did or not posted at all because they found their solution already...

but then agin you could just quote a specific rule to match the circumstances to whatever the new person has said

[femurat]

Well, the sticky should be short with a title like:

- I could help you, but then you ought me half of the plunder
- With great power comes great responsibility
- Yep, but cant tell ya. Think of it this way, some things are difficult for a reason.

Then a simple explanation on why we don't pick locks in use or we do not own. I like Romstar's post. Recently squelchtone and Jaakko gave some good answers too. I think we can do that.

Cheers

[GottFoo]

No snipes or nothing. You people are too kind. I remember back when usenet was flooded by AOL and it seemed every fifth post on groups having to do with unix was telling someone how to hack into 127.0.0.1.

Anyways it seems to me LocksmithArmy hit the nail on the head here. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of people around here who want to step in and actively defend locksport.

Oh, and all this reminds me, I wrote a research paper on how to pick those half moon keyways on washing machines but locked it in a mini storage and lost the key. Can anyone remind me of how to get those open? Locksmiths are too expensive so I'd rather spend at least 20-30 bucks for tools and then spend hours over the next days and weeks on learning how to use it. Thanks for any help.

[Jaakko]

Oh, and all this reminds me, I wrote a research paper on how to pick those half moon keyways on washing machines but locked it in a mini storage and lost the key. Can anyone remind me of how to get those open? Locksmiths are too expensive so I'd rather spend at least 20-30 bucks for tools and then spend hours over the next days and weeks on learning how to use it. Thanks for any help.

[femurat]

Sorry, we cannot help you with info on how to pick that lock, since you do not own the lock.

If we tell you how and then someone trying to steal money from their work's office petty cash box googles this forum, we will have inadvertently given them the steps needed in committing a crime.

We pick locks for fun and for the challenge of it, but unfortunately many people in the general public see anything to do with lock picking as a criminal act, and we are trying to shed that image by not picking locks that are in use on soda machines, cash boxes, utility meters, cable company pedestals at apartment buildings, etc, etc, basically any lock that the lock picker doesn't own or doesn't have permission to pick, we don't pick, based on sound moral judgment.

If you need this item opened, please visit a local locksmith, they will be glad to pick it or drill it for you, for a small fee. If you just need this one box opened, this site is probably not for you, for you see we are not a technical support line for those times when someone is locked out of something. But if you feel that you would enjoy lock picking as fun hobby, then we encourage all new comers to purchase or make some lock picks, find some locks in the junk drawer at your house, or purchase some at the local hardware store and read lots and lots of the posts here to learn the basics that you can then use to become a more competent picker.

I hope squelchtone and unlisted don't mind if I use their post I found in a different topic. I think these posts could be perfect for our purpose.
Is there anything we can add or modify to make it a more "universal" reply?

Cheers

[unlisted]

I hope squelchtone and unlisted don't mind if I use their post I found in a different topic. I think these posts could be perfect for our purpose.
Is there anything we can add or modify to make it a more "universal" reply?

Cheers

Nope, do not mind, thats what this thread is all about.

Go ahead and change as you see fit, and post the reply in this topic

[WOT]

Ignoring is a powerful tool.

[femurat]

Sorry, we cannot help you with info on how to pick that lock, since the lock is in use.

If we tell you how and then someone trying to steal money from their work's office petty cash box googles this forum, we will have inadvertently given them the steps needed in committing a crime.

We pick locks for fun and for the challenge of it, but unfortunately many people in the general public see anything to do with lock picking as a criminal act, and we are trying to shed that image by not picking locks that are in use on soda machines, cash boxes, utility meters, cable company pedestals at apartment buildings, etc, etc, basically any lock that the lock picker doesn't own or doesn't have permission to pick, we don't pick, based on sound moral judgment.

Also, it is possible to damage a lock by picking it. Could drop a pin into the keyway, crush the springs, break the pick in the lock, or any number of other unforseen ways. When picked and rotated, small master pins can fall into the keyway which will result in possibly your key no longer working. It can also result in neither your key, the master key nor the control key working which will result in a visit from the locksmith who set the system up. In this case, the locksmith will notice master pins missing from the system and will know the lock has been tampered with and will know it was likely due to picking since even the person who has access to a control key does not posses the required tools to disassemble the lock.

You could also run the risk of being blamed for things gone missing if it becomes known that you pick locks in use.
People that see it happen might not feel so safe and when they can't find that diamond earring or misplaced power tool you could be the first thing that pops into their heads.
If something goes missing it is you that is going to get blamed whether you did it or not.

If you need this lock opened, please visit a local locksmith, they will be glad to pick it or drill it for you, for a small fee.

If you just need this one lock opened, this site is probably not for you, for you see we are not a technical support line for those times when someone is locked out of something.

But if you feel that you would enjoy lock picking as fun hobby, then we encourage all new comers to purchase or make some lock picks, find some locks in the junk drawer at your house, or purchase some at the local hardware store and read lots and lots of the posts here to learn the basics that you can then use to become a more competent picker.

As stated, do not pick locks that you do not own. This will save you future headaches and possibly save you some money (damages and rekey charges).

It'll never be perfect so I post what I've collected and assembled till now. Any suggestion is welcome since English is not my first language and I can't adjust the language style of the whole message.

Cheers

[poor paperclip picker]

There should be something in the "reply" screen that is the "default reply to noob question" button, kind of like the smilies like this but it should be a :noob response: that way people don't have to find the thread, then copy and paste it to their reply.

[unlisted]

BUMP!