Thebroken
Encyclopedia
thebroken is a video podcast
produced by Revision3, focusing on software cracking
, computer intrusion, and other "questionable activities". It was hosted by Kevin Rose
and Dan Huard
, with Ramzi as a regular comical feature, and geared toward anyone interested in computer security
. The show debuted on July 21, 2003. Although the show has no regular timetable it produces occasional episodes, and although it has been a while since the last episode Kevin Rose stated in late 2008 a Pownce
post that the show would return. Kevin's Pownce note detailing his plans for "thebroken" Since then there has been little news about The Broken.
and Dan Huard
. They came up with the idea while employed at TechTV
and working on the television show The Screen Savers
. In the first year, the show had over 2 million downloads according to Rose. The show and its success led to Rose and crew starting Revision3.
, such as Kazaa
or BitTorrent, as a means of distribution. Revision3 had not yet been created and distribution of the show was a little more "grass roots" than the current set up for Revision3 shows.
Each twenty to thirty-minute episode focused on several subjects. According to its introduction, thebroken was "a little shady, a little underground, borderline illegal." It featured advice on breaking wireless encryption
, cracking
Windows password
s, and modding
gaming consoles such as the Xbox
, PlayStation 2
, and GameCube. The show also demonstrated social engineering and various methods of piracy
.
The third episode featured an interview with Kevin Mitnick
about his time spent in prison for computer crime
s.
The opening theme song for thebroken is "Dinosaurs Will Die" by NOFX
. Each episode of thebroken features a ceremonial opening of a 40 ounce bottle of malt liquor by the hosts. On a 2005 episode of G4TechTV
Canada's Call For Help
, Rose admitted to CFH host Leo Laporte that thebroken crew never actually acquired license rights to use the song, that they've "just been lucky enough to have never gotten caught [for using the music without permission]."
When the series Systm was announced, many viewers assumed that Systm would be a replacement for thebroken. However, David Prager announced in the July 31, 2005 episode of This Week in Tech
that new episodes of thebroken were being produced, along with another new series. Also, on May 17, 2006, Dan Huard commented on Digg that Revision3 was close to being finished with another episode of thebroken.
On September 27th, 2006, over a year and a half after the previous episode, episode 4 of thebroken was released. This was the fourth episode of the show. Kevin Rose later announced that the show was canceled.
However, on Friday, March 21, 2008, Kevin Rose announced via a Pownce
note that he would be filming one last episode of "thebroken". As of November 3rd of 2009, no progress on this episode has been publicly revealed.
Video podcast
Video podcast is a term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content via Atom or RSS enclosures...
produced by Revision3, focusing on software cracking
Software cracking
Software cracking is the modification of software to remove or disable features which are considered undesirable by the person cracking the software, usually related to protection methods: copy protection, trial/demo version, serial number, hardware key, date checks, CD check or software annoyances...
, computer intrusion, and other "questionable activities". It was hosted by Kevin Rose
Kevin Rose
Kevin Rose is an American Internet entrepreneur who co-founded Revision3, Digg, Pownce, and Milk...
and Dan Huard
Dan Huard
Dan Huard is a computer enthusiast and American television personality who resides in San Francisco, California. Huard is best known for his work on the TechTV television program The Screen Savers, an hour-long technology-related variety show.-Early life:Huard attended California State...
, with Ramzi as a regular comical feature, and geared toward anyone interested in computer security
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
. The show debuted on July 21, 2003. Although the show has no regular timetable it produces occasional episodes, and although it has been a while since the last episode Kevin Rose stated in late 2008 a Pownce
Pownce
Pownce was a free social networking and micro-blogging site started by Internet entrepreneurs Kevin Rose, Leah Culver, and Daniel Burka. Pownce was centered on sharing messages, files, events, and links with friends. The site launched on June 27, 2007, and was opened to the public on January 22, 2008...
post that the show would return. Kevin's Pownce note detailing his plans for "thebroken" Since then there has been little news about The Broken.
History
The show is the brainchild of the hosts, Kevin RoseKevin Rose
Kevin Rose is an American Internet entrepreneur who co-founded Revision3, Digg, Pownce, and Milk...
and Dan Huard
Dan Huard
Dan Huard is a computer enthusiast and American television personality who resides in San Francisco, California. Huard is best known for his work on the TechTV television program The Screen Savers, an hour-long technology-related variety show.-Early life:Huard attended California State...
. They came up with the idea while employed at TechTV
TechTV
TechTV was a 24-hour cable and satellite channel based in San Francisco featuring news and shows about computers, technology, and the Internet. In 2004, it merged with the G4 gaming channel which ultimately dissolved TechTV programming...
and working on the television show The Screen Savers
The Screen Savers
The Screen Savers was a live American TV show on TechTV. The show launched concurrently with the channel ZDTV on May 11, 1998. The Screen Savers originally centered around computers, new technologies, and their adaptations in the world...
. In the first year, the show had over 2 million downloads according to Rose. The show and its success led to Rose and crew starting Revision3.
Distribution
The hosts request that the show be shared over peer-to-peer networksPeer-to-peer file sharing
P2P or Peer-to-peer file sharing allows users to download files such as music, movies, and games using a P2P software client that searches for other connected computers. The "peers" are computer systems connected to each other through internet. Thus, the only requirements for a computer to join...
, such as Kazaa
Kazaa
Kazaa Media Desktop started as a peer-to-peer file sharing application using the FastTrack protocol licensed by Joltid Ltd. and operated as Kazaa by Sharman Networks...
or BitTorrent, as a means of distribution. Revision3 had not yet been created and distribution of the show was a little more "grass roots" than the current set up for Revision3 shows.
Format
Wired Equivalent Privacy
Wired Equivalent Privacy is a weak security algorithm for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks. Introduced as part of the original 802.11 standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network...
, cracking
Password cracking
Password cracking is the process of recovering passwords from data that has been stored in or transmitted by a computer system. A common approach is to repeatedly try guesses for the password...
Windows password
Password
A password is a secret word or string of characters that is used for authentication, to prove identity or gain access to a resource . The password should be kept secret from those not allowed access....
s, and modding
Modding
Modding is a slang expression that is derived from the verb "modify". Modding refers to the act of modifying a piece of hardware or software or anything else for that matter, to perform a function not originally conceived or intended by the designer...
gaming consoles such as the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
, and GameCube. The show also demonstrated social engineering and various methods of piracy
Copyright infringement of software
Copyright infringement of software=The copyright infringement of software refers to several practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer software. Copyright infringement of this kind varies globally...
.
The third episode featured an interview with Kevin Mitnick
Kevin Mitnick
Kevin David Mitnick is a computer security consultant, author, and hacker. In the late 20th century, he was convicted of various computer- and communications-related crimes. At the time of his arrest, he was the most-wanted computer criminal in the United States.-Personal life:Mitnick grew up in...
about his time spent in prison for computer crime
Computer crime
Computer crime, or cybercrime, refers to any crime that involves a computer and a network. The computer may have been used in the commission of a crime, or it may be the target. Netcrime refers to criminal exploitation of the Internet. Such crimes may threaten a nation’s security and financial health...
s.
The opening theme song for thebroken is "Dinosaurs Will Die" by NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
. Each episode of thebroken features a ceremonial opening of a 40 ounce bottle of malt liquor by the hosts. On a 2005 episode of G4TechTV
G4techTV
G4techTV was a cable and satellite channel resulting from a merger between Comcast-owned G4 and TechTV. The headquarters is based in Los Angeles...
Canada's Call For Help
Call for Help
Call for Help, also known as CFH, was a computer-themed television program that first aired exclusively on TechTV , a cable and satellite television network focused on technology, and then aired on G4techTV Canada and the HOW TO Channel in Australia...
, Rose admitted to CFH host Leo Laporte that thebroken crew never actually acquired license rights to use the song, that they've "just been lucky enough to have never gotten caught [for using the music without permission]."
When the series Systm was announced, many viewers assumed that Systm would be a replacement for thebroken. However, David Prager announced in the July 31, 2005 episode of This Week in Tech
This Week in Tech
This Week in Tech–casually referred to as TWiT, and formerly known as Revenge of the Screen Savers–is the weekly flagship podcast of the TWiT.tv network...
that new episodes of thebroken were being produced, along with another new series. Also, on May 17, 2006, Dan Huard commented on Digg that Revision3 was close to being finished with another episode of thebroken.
On September 27th, 2006, over a year and a half after the previous episode, episode 4 of thebroken was released. This was the fourth episode of the show. Kevin Rose later announced that the show was canceled.
However, on Friday, March 21, 2008, Kevin Rose announced via a Pownce
Pownce
Pownce was a free social networking and micro-blogging site started by Internet entrepreneurs Kevin Rose, Leah Culver, and Daniel Burka. Pownce was centered on sharing messages, files, events, and links with friends. The site launched on June 27, 2007, and was opened to the public on January 22, 2008...
note that he would be filming one last episode of "thebroken". As of November 3rd of 2009, no progress on this episode has been publicly revealed.
Episode list
| URL | Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | July 21, 2003 | Welcome to thebroken |
| Episode 2 | September 1, 2003 | Lockdown |
| Episode 3 | January 1, 2004 | Ep3 |
| Episode 4 | September 26, 2006 | Ep4 |