[Armada]

In the beginning (Of my HF experience)

I, like most joined here for the most simplest of reasons, searching for help in a matter of one thing or another. In my specific case, it was the fact I ran an IRC network, and was recent attacked to holy hell by a botnet, and was attempting to refine my security and DDoS protection. 6 years seems to fly by so quickly at times.

I was attacked by some random rogue we only knew as "X", his VPNs and Routing had no leaks, but he made specific claims. we only knew it was a hacker for hire job due to a member we banned.

Unable to actually tolerate the constant increasing attacks we reformulated our entire network and I in turned joined Hack Forums in search for like minded who could actually TEST the redundancy of my newly founded network.

This is where my account was established...
2011, however was a different time, a different take on technology and all of this in general. People seemed to be more friendly.

The concept of licensing products and "Hackware" was still in its infancy...
The OG concepts still had reign. Something I greatly miss is the openness and willingness to teach another without profit to ones own benefit.

Just an observation.. call me the old fag I am. Whatever, but its a principal I was taught on, and I still believe it should be a desired quality.

On the Matter of the Community

Well, a lot can be said on the matter of the community, however I have noted the following constantly.

The community in Hack Forums is pure dynamic, we have people from all traits of life come, join, stay and leave us daily. Those who commit to spending a valuable time on the site get a true great experience from it, just as I have.

To this one aspect, I know the arguments constantly made, but I would put forward the diversity we have collectively within the community far outweighs any negatives experienced here.

I have always found the forums to be a rather very open allowance towards opinion, so long as it did not go to a degree which pushed too far, or violated site rules, very rarely have I seen someone be closed for a simple expression of an opinion.

On the Matter of Groups

Legends:


My encounter with Legends group was by somewhat chance, I messaged Raymond Reddington about his new ownership of the group, and he instantly expressed interest in my leadership of the group.

This was not only my first group, but my first opportunity at leadership of such a group.


Enigma:


A well noted member which now seems somewhat retired, Business. Had expressed interest in sale of his spot of leadership towards his position in the now former Crypto group. Crypto was to rebranded to a Tech news group. I purchased his leadership spot from that point.


Brotherhood:


Brotherhood, I was recommended in to By Roger Waters. (Although he would not admit it) I have found this to be one of the most accepting and friendly groups around. Cryptic being a great guy in general has although rebranded once, but went back, kept up what I would say to be one of the true group spirits of Hack Forums, and I am glad to say I am currently a part of it.


Illuminati:


Illimunati, Occult section in specific although short lived I admit was one of my most fun groups/Sub Forums I was ever entitled to be member of so far.
It helped bring a central focus to like minded individuals, and frankly believe I shared more in that SF recently than I have on the entire site in the last 4-6 months. Shame it was discontinued.

Royalty:


I enjoyed my time in Royalty, and really like the projects being worked towards great things, and I truly hope to see great things to come from this group.

Sadly, Cibors policy had me removed from the further contribution from this group.


Writers:

I have had to great fortune in my time to be part of one of the Official groups left, the Writers team, maybe only as an Interviewer, however, I find this to be one of the most unrepresented but critical groups left standing.
I give great respect to iHydra for constantly heading up the responsibility of the task, and hope it is continued on with the group and communities efforts.

Final group note

I believe the groups on Hack Forums has always played a great impact to the creation and innovation towards the community.

The one observation I have noted within the at least recent years is people utilizing the groups for sales and profit.

And this is in just my personal opinion, but I do not believe the groups concept was originally designed for this factor, and I believe it has drawn away from the quality of content and focus the site had previously.

Groups in my opinion should have a focus, gaming, anti-malware, malware, whatever it might specifically be, but the group buy ins, rental of spots, and other such items, has left the QUALITY of the groups in shambles.

It is in my hopes, that the newer group owners take this to heart and consider the words as I really want to see more quality groups arise and above all, LAST.

On the Matter of Staff

What can really be said too much on this.

I think you all do a great and above all fair job. Major concerns I ever raised, were evenly addressed. Those that were useless either went unaddressed, or well, Omni, you gave me shit.

Keep the great work up guys. 🤝

On the Matter of Shout Outs

I put a great deal of thought in to this, and came to the simple conclusion it is simply unfair to name only a few in this journey.

Too many have played roles in my experience on Hack Forums, and only more to come. So to the New and the Old.

Best to one and all.
See you at 20K posts. 🤝

[null™]

Grats on 10K. That's quite impressive. Enjoyed reading your entire post. Real big fan of your style of writing.

[Deany]

Thank you for the invisible S/O my beloved Amanda

[Mr.Peanut]

Damn you hit 10k bruh, you've helped me on this site and i'm grateful for it. Cheers to 20k man. I'll probably hit 10k by the end of 2017 assuming I try hard enough lol.

[Copywriter]

Congratulations Armada, you were the first to explain to me what a blackhat, gray hat, and whitehat were. Thank you, looking forward to more of your HQ posts!

[SoulZeh]

Grats on 10k mate, I see you around all the time man, very active and well, a RAT hero <33

[Gt403cyl]

Congrats on 10K man, I haven't done the whole "feedback thread" and tbh I don't know if I ever will...
Nice read either way!

[Wakka]

And through all of that you're still a skid who got doxed by Brian Krebbs 👹

Spoiler (Click to View)It's okay Armada we here for you BB.

[Armada]

And through all of that you're still a skid who got doxed by Brian Krebbs 👹.

Love you too buddy. ✌

[Wakka]

Nice feedback on a serious note, however generic some of the shit inside may be.

[Tʀᴀᴜᴍᴀ]

I'm catching up to you buddy!

[Vince]

"The OG concepts still had reign. Something I greatly miss is the openness and willingness to teach another without profit to ones own benefit."
I joined at the tail end of that, right when group owners were just looking to make a quick buck and the marketplace started its rampant run over HF with ebooks and various other shit being sold. Now it's all starting to settle and even out.

[ZuGgY]

Awesome to have you as a member here, Armada 👍

[Patzan]

Cheers for the 10K, personally, I really like you :)

[Eagerkid]

Really good read, and congratulations on the achievement. I am going to get there soon hopefully!