How safe is this site?

[HolyBear]

Jes wondering how safe is it to use this sight? Any of y'all ever heard of someone getting busted because of it? I've searched very little about it.. maybe its a question I shouldn't be asking

[Dnderhead]

this is my thurd tour and still here.if that tells you any thing.
id be more afraid of a big mouth or maybe a fire than being on this site

[bigwheel]

Well know I'm skeered. The guv'ment is broke and they would like to come take your house and car etc. I would just buy my likker at the store..if it was me. In fact just took a sip of the store bought stuff in order to salute this very valid concern. You a very smart person to think of this angle. Big Brother compiling all this info and have a Nationwide raid one of these days most likely. Budget deficit would be a moot point.

[HolyBear]

Yea that's what I was thinking too... I think i'll just stick with the store bought stuff...it is interesting reading though...for theoretical purposes of course...there is alot worse stuff outthere that they should be concerned about...and if we were only making it for our own use....I think it was Jefferson that said "If it neither picks my pocket nor breaks my bones, what matters it to me?" I don't think we have long to wait on big bro though, something big is on the horizon.....hopefully none of em will care much about roughen up.an ol hillbilly..

[MuleKicker]

I dont know what you guys are talking about. Aint no one here stillin any likker. We's all jes talkin bout it. No one here wants to break the law.

[Prairiepiss]

As long as your not sellin or tellin the government has bigger fish to fry. If they really wanted to they would have done it long ago. If you not producing more then a hobby level amount and selling they aren't going to get as much out of busting you. But that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. Just means its less likely to happen.

If you don't feel safe doing it. Don't. It won't be enjoyable if you are always worried about it that much. Maybe take up beer brewing or wine making. Both are legal. And enjoyable hobbies.

[Bayou-Ruler]

Jes wondering how safe is it to use this sight? Any of y'all ever heard of someone getting busted because of it? I've searched very little about it.. maybe its a question I shouldn't be asking

Its not against the law to discuss Mashing, Fermentation & Ethanol Distillation. Its also not against the law to discuss the processes and practices associated with making Gin, Whiskey, vodka, Liqueurs and other alcohol beverages. I use commercially purchased Everclear which is 95% ABV and proof it for making Liqueurs and other flavored Alcohol drinks for human consumption.

I legally distill ethanol with my distiller for fuel use. BUT I applied for and was issued a Alcohol Fuel Producer Permit by the TTB.

[rgarry]

Good to know that I'm not the only paranoid person out there.When I took up the hobby, I spent time education my self about what the punishment is, and what I would do if someone came knocking. I think this is the most informative video I have ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow If you never seen this video watch it.

[johnny108]

I read a story last week of a court case trying to decide if it can force a woman to give the court her passwords, etc. for her computer and email accounts- something about it being "incriminating yourself", if you give up the info.
Depending on how a court case is going- if you had a sympathetic jury (possible these days)- you might use this angle to make this website a non-issue.
On the other hand- "I don't remember the password" might be a good sentence to memorize...

Truth is- except for certain porn cases- forum membership isn't likely to help a prosecutor at all.

[retlaw]

what?...copper and stainless steel porn is against the law?

"to serve and protect"...WHO are they serving and protecting ?

A Simple Guide to Autonomous Living
Written By: Paranoid
http://livefree.fm/AsKing-FreeDownLoad.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
page 25 and down he gets into the court questions to the judge,

i have tangled with a few judges,
they do not like me because i don't take their pagan worshipping crap,
they don't get any money out of me,

[RumBrewer]

Like the sig line says.... It's all just BS anyway!

[OlympicMtDoo]

I don't make no likker, all mine goes into the lawn mower, got the fastest lawn chief on the mountain

[Samohon]

I read a story last week of a court case trying to decide if it can force a woman to give the court her passwords, etc. for her computer and email accounts- something about it being "incriminating yourself", if you give up the info.

Ah, the beauty of using Linux... Just encrypt the computers whole hard drive with a hidden password...

So heres the science...

It may happen that you are forced by somebody to reveal the password to an encrypted volume. There are many situations where you cannot refuse to reveal the password (for example, due to a court ruling or extortion). Using a so-called hidden volume allows you to solve such situations without revealing the password to your volume.

The principle is that an encrypted hidden volume is created within another hidden volume (within the free space on the volume). Even when the outer volume is mounted, it is impossible to prove whether there is a hidden volume within it or not because free space on any encrypted volume is always filled with random data when the encrypted volume is created and no part of the (dismounted) hidden volume can be distinguished from random data. Note that HDD encryption does not modify the file system (information about free space, OS, etc.) within the outer volume in any way.

The password for the hidden volume must be substantially different from the password for the outer volume. To the outer volume, (before creating the hidden volume within it) you should copy some innocent-looking work files that you actually do NOT want to hide. These files will be there for anyone who would force you to hand over the password, (system, work, etc). You will reveal only the password for the outer volume, not for the hidden one with your, ah hem, extra curricular hobbies stored in great detail. Files that really are sensitive will be stored on the hidden volume and there is no software available that can be written now or in the future, to access it. The encryption algorithms are just far too complex... Unless ofcoarse you give them the password...

On the other hand: How Safe is This Site?

Truth is, its not safe. No site is. It is watched and monitored by our respective revenuers. The ultimate goal of the site is to make an argument for the legalisation for our hobby. It always has been. Thats why best practices in safety, materials used, methods, ect, are stringently policed by HD management and its membership to bring this about in a responsible and trusted way. For the majority of the membership its easy to make an outstanding beverage safely that adheres to common practices throughout the commercial spirit making industry. But its also easy to stray from the legalities and make a quick buck from the tax man. And that is what our governments are afraid of.
Important Info:

So, Dont Sell, Keep a Low Profile, while its still illegal and Do it Safely...

Not saying that you wont get the 'Knock', but if you do and you have not broken the above rules, you'll have a good argument for it...

[beowoulfe]

Samahon, that is a GREAT post! I may need another hard drive to get enough space for all that. I didn't know that about TrueCrypt. I'm not paranoid or anything, but it doesn't hurt to hide certain things. Thanks

[Samohon]

Samahon, that is a GREAT post! I may need another hard drive to get enough space for all that. I didn't know that about TrueCrypt. I'm not paranoid or anything, but it doesn't hurt to hide certain things. Thanks

Would just like to add about TrueCrypt:
@beowoulfe and others: Be careful using encryption software, make sure you read all the instructions/docs...

I mentioned the software only in response to the post by johnny108 above. Any Linux/Mac users will have this available to them. Windows users should know what they are doing...

[HolyBear]

Samohon... I am honored and humbled that you would take the time to post such a detailed response to my first post... I've been reading this site for months and throughout all my reading, you always seem expecially helpful, detailed, and willing to impart your wisdom to folks.... alot of times in life we don't get much thanks for the things we do, just wanted to let you know that I do appreciate it...


Wait a minute.....am I getting a man crush???

Agh... thanks....

[blanikdog]

The truth is that this site is very unsafe. You will find that the longer you stay here the more addicted to this silly hobby you will become.

[bentstick]

Yes blank, but we all have one hell of a support group!