carrying the great torch of anarchy, úúúúú Ú¿  ڿ Ú¿ Ú Ú Ú Ú Ú¿ Ú¿ ÚÚ ÚÚ Ú Ú¿ úúúúú úúú úúú ³³³ ³ ³³ ³³ ³ à À¿À¿ ³³³ ô À´ ô à ³³³ úúú úúú úú A úú À À Á ÀÀ ÀÙ À À Ù Ù À À ÀÀ -Ù ÀÀ À À À úú A úú úúú úúú presents úúú úúú úúúúú Issue #27! úúúúú Stupidity, cheap news, old thrills, and Black Powder by Great One & The Chicagoland Illinois Bell Phone Book by Genocide THE DISCLAIMER: We take no blame or hold no responsibility for any acts carried out whether suggested, implied, or inspired by this text. This should be used for informational purposes only. We ask that this file be uploaded around in its original unedited form ONLY. ------- Welcome to another edition of Mindless Mayhem. I've been really lazy lately, and have not gotten around to the Ammonium Tri-Iodide. So sue me! heheh. Anyway, one thing I did notice was that while talking to a user about explosives, he asked me how to make black powder. I thought this was a ridiculous question, because he could simply have read the MM file that deals with that! But I found out that I never wrote one dealing with that! I couldn't believe it! I thought it was included somewhere among the first ten issues! So ready or not, I'll give you the instructions. Keep in mind that they DO indeed work! I have the entire process memorized, as I've made enough of the stuff to make enough success (because chances are your first bomb will be a dud, and then your fourth will, and then the seventh, and so on!) Anyway: This issue contains (in no particular order): - The Mindless Mayhem home board and its number and nup - Stupidity Awards - Minor newsbits - The blackpowder instructions (gee) - The MM mail bag! - Some useful phone numbers == Well ok, the MM home board isn't included with it, but here's the number! Destiny Knights BBS 708 307 3768 nup Mutant Goldfish Any serious user and some off the wall ones will be accepted! Remember, if you have something to offer, we'll take it! == Ok, enough about that. By now you have probably noticed that we are still an amateur magazine/file/phile/whatever with only a small cult following, if even that! Still, there are often requests for more files. As far as it's known, there are only a few unoffical boards carrying the files, the rest just have a smattering of them. The board in Alaska is down, so don't try to call it (how many of you actually did, anyway?). It will be up again here in IL soon, though, and hopefully the next MM will have more information on that for you. We'd like to increase the circulation of the magazine/whatever. If you know of a board that would like to carry the file and get the number in the listing, feel free to call DK and ask, or write the MM staff at PO Box 958542 Hoffman Estates, IL, 60195-8542 (united states, of course). Address it to Mel Woznikki. No, he's not me or any of us, but we thought the name was cool enough to use as a fake. Also, you can address any questions or comments to us at that address as well! All letter bombs will be forwarded to the current president. == Here's a sample of the MM mail bag! Yes, you too can experience the thrill of seeing YOUR letter in print if you just send us one and say it's OK to print it! The following letter didn't ask to be print, but it was worth printing. Hey you MM guys, Why do you suck so much? Unfortunately, we didn't get a name or return address, but the stamp on the envelope said Minnesota! So hey you in Minnesota, well, we just do. Since you didn't say if sucking was bad or not, we decided that sucking was cool, so from now on if someone says "YOU SUCK!" then that means that they are refering to how cool you actually are. Another letter! Yo! I tried to call your board but the NUP wasn't FOURTH DIMENSION as your file said it would be! (editors note: we decided to digitally remaster the letter and take out all of the reverse caps and high ascii stuff) What gives? Also, your cable file was cool. Keep up the good work. And why don't you guys have anything on hacking/phreaking? That would be really cool. Since we didn't get permission to use his handle, although it was included (as well as some magnesium strips and a cool picture of a commodore 1660 modem), we decided we wouldn't print it! But hey, neat. Thanks for the compliment on the cable stuff, and Beastmaster deserves all the credit for that one. In fact, people call the board and think that HE is the sysop! Not true! He is the Text File Operator! But in some respects, I guess that's close enough. As for the new user password, well hey, maybe you should take note that those files that contain FOURTH DIMENSION are at least a year old! No way in hell is there going to be the same new user password for over a year! So please, if you were the guy that said "YOU FUCKING BASTARD LET ME IN GODDAMNIT FUCKYOU ALL TO HELL!!!!!" then please take note, that we fucking bastards have included the new user password at the beginning of this file, and it will be in effect for a few months from now, so don't be afraid to try it out. And hacking and phreaking? Well, personally (this is Great One speaking) I don't do much hacking, well actually ANY hacking anymore. Any information I could give might be outdated! However, your suggestion has been passed onto the staff and maybe we'll have some on it soon! By the way, we are looking for some people that would be able to help us out in this catagory. As always, extra writers would be a thrill. Just make sure you aren't copying directly out of Phrack or something like that. Oh hey, should there be the MM text pager? It's been considered for quite some time now, as many people feel more comfortable sending a small message rather than mailing a small message. If you think there should be an MM text pager number to call, give the board a call (or write us) and if the responses are in its favor, we'll have the new pager soon enough! == I feel really stupid for not clipping it out of the paper, because I thought EVERYONE would know, but it seems that I'm the only one that does know! Anyway, that one guy that was accused of sending Clinton a death threat via the internet, well, he killed his mom and himself! Yes it's true, he gave up, broke down, and blew her and himself away! I'd say he pulled a Cobain (sp?) but he did it a few weeks before Cobain did. And by the way, I didn't even know who Cobain was until he shot himself. Tells you how much I'm into todays music! I guess I have to spend more time listening to the radio than I do the scanner (sigh). Another small bit of news is that someone recently got busted because he ran a pirate board on the internet! Here goes: MIT student indicted for software theft. BOSTON--A federal grand jury indicted an MIT sudent on charges he ran a computer bulletin board that allowed people to copy more than $1 million worth of copyrighted software for free. David LaMacchia, 20, a junior at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was indicted on one count of felony count of conspiring to commit wire fraud, said U.S. Atty. Donald Stern. LaMacchia, of Rockville, Md., used the computer aliases "John Gaunt" and "Grimjack," to operate the bulletin board at MIT from Nov. 21 to Dec 21, 1993, and from Jan 3 to Jan 5, the indictment said. The bulletin board, named Cunosure, allowed people on MIT's computer network to copy business and entertainment software, the indictment said. Since MIT's system is part of the internet, a super-network using telephone lines to link educational, military, and commercial computer networks around the world, internet users were able to illegally copy the software, Stern said. As many as 180 people (I don't even have that many users! But then, he probably wasn't nearly as picky as I was! hehe) used the illegal software library over one 16-hour period (Im lucky if I get 8 hours of activity a day!), downloading hundreds of copywrited commercial programs, the indictment said. Neato, hmm? Well, let that be a lesson to all of the sysops thinking of getting an internet hookup so they can go pirate world-wide! It isn't worth it! He wasn't even up long enough to make a decent ANSI BBS ad! -- Next we have the Stupidity awards! This time, three teenagers get it. Apparently, they were stupid enough to videotape their crimes, and then manage to get the tape into the hands of someone that promptly turned it in to the police. Here's the story: 3 teens caught after taping own crime spree: HOUSTON -- In a video that will not likely win an award or make it on to "America's Funniest Home Videos" television show, three teenagers involved in a crime spree were arrested after having taped themselves in the act. The teens, all boys aged 15 or 16, appeared on the video laughing as they set fire to and blew up mailboxes, burned a home air conditioning unit, and committed a series of other crimes, according to the Harris County constanble's office. The boys' downfall came when they piled debris on a bike path and then positioned the video camera to record bicyclists running into the debris and tumbling over. A woman riding along the path found the camera, and refused to return it to them. Officials said the teens, from the suburban Kingwood area of Houston, apparently knew the woman. Her house was later burglarized and the video camera was stolen (industrious people, these kids- GO). The tape, which also contained the crimes, had been removed and turned over to a constable's office in north Houston by the woman. (Look's like too much too late on the kid's part!) "They were pretty bold, that's for sure," said Sgt. Mark Little at the constable's office. "These little characters have been pretty busy." Officals said the three may have been involved in up to nine crimes. One of the teens has been charged with arson, burglary of a motor vehicle and criminal mischief, and the police are seeking to press charges against the others. Hey wow! Now, I think the idea of taping such acts isn't a great idea, but it would be cool to look back on past glories, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, those past glories for them are now recurring nightmares! Muuahahah! Oh well. The more stupid people that get caught, the better off it is for the real crooks! hehe ----------------- This was found in it's original form of six laser printed pages. It was dated 02/17/93. All phone numbers are area code 708 unless otherwise noted. Yippie! ASSIGNMENT ---------- EWO - ENGEINNERING WORK ORDER 800-244-9154 LDMC - LOOP DATA MAINTENANCE CENTER 800-635-2376 ELK GROVE (MANUAL) 800-942-7805 BARRICADES 870-4678 CAB 870-6650 CABLE LOCATES 800-942-3776 CABLE TRANSFERS & BREAKDOWN REQUESTS 800-642-9973 CCTAC - COMPUTER COMM. TROUBLE ANALYSIS CENTER 312-930-4600 CIC --- CENTRALIZED INTERCEPT CENTER 312-855-3444 CIC - AFTER HOURS 708-629-9901 CIRCUITS 800-942-7778 COSMOS ------ COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM FOR MAINFRAME OPERATIONS 577-4944 COSMOS TROBLE REPORTING 312-930-3800 DARC - DIVISION ALARM REPORTING CENTER 870-6080 DBAC - TOPPS DATA BASE 800-572-1096 800-572-1092 DIAL SERVICE ------------ ADDISON 462-8449 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 393-5928 ELK GROVE 398-5927 SCHAUMBURG 398-5924 WILLOWCREST 398-4418 LOMBARD 398-4449 DISPATCH FIELD ASSIST 800-942-DISP DPIC 752-3000 800-982-3310 DPRO - DEFECTIVE PAIR RECOVERY 870-8592 DSAC - DIAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER 312-727-5264 ENGINEERING ----------- OFFICE PAGER ------ ----- VANECEK, A.F.- AREA MGR.- FACILITIES 620-3466 643-0237 ROSELLE SOUTH OF SCHAUMBURG ROAD KOLACINSKI, J.M. 620-3878 939-1397 MODEL, R. 620-3888 817-7672 SUMMERS, P.D. 620-3897 939-1404 WILLOWCREST/SCHAUMBURG NORTH OF SCHAUMBURG ROAD SMITH, K.J. 620-3459 939-1402 MCKEON, M.A. 620-3497 939-1398 LOMBARD SUMMERS, D.P. 620-3471 939-1403 ADDISON CZULNO, P. 620-3881 514-8902 KRZYSKO, R. 620-3876 903-2095 FAB - FIELD ASSISTANCE BUREAU 312-727-4100 (PAIR CHANGGES ON CIRCUITS MUST CALL FOR UPDATE ON TIRKS.) FACSIMILE MACHINE NUMBERS ------------------------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS MAINTENANCE CENTER 392-9694 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS INSTALLATIONS CENTER 392-0348 ADDISON GARAGE 628-0554 ELK GROVE GARAGE 593-1540 MT. PROSPECT GARAGE 259-9958 SCHAUMBURG GARAGE 529-1693 DSDAV 205-9085 ARLINGTON HEIGHT C.O. 392-9694 ELK GROVE C.O. 806-0189 LOMBARD C.O. 932-8177 ROSELLE C.O. 351-2002 FIELD C.O. SUPERRVISORS ----------------------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - MIKE COOK 398-9953 ELK GROVE - DEBBIE CALIN 593-9953 LOMBARD - COLLEEN ERNST 653-9953 SCHAUMBURG - LEO ESSICK 980-9953 ROSELLE, WILLOWCREST - LEO ESSICK 980-9953 882-9953 FMAC 312-930-9300 FRAMES SPEAKER DESK ------ ------- ---- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 577-9951 253-9944 ELK GROVE 364-9951 437-9944 LOMBARD 495-9951 627-9944 MOTOROLA 576-9958 576-9944 ROSELLE 351-9951 529-9944 SCHAUMBURG 240-9958 240-9944 WILLOWCREST 843-8752 882-9944 GARAGES INSTALL CONSTR. REPAIR ------- ------- ------- ------ ADDISON 620-3858 620-9071 620-3858,59,60 ELK GROVE 228-5608 228-9958 MT. PROSPECT 253-9968 253-9958 SCHAUMBURG 307-2510 307-2514 307-2506 307-2511 307-2505 307-2503 INSTALLATION CONTROL CENTER --------------------------- AH, EG, WL, TZ, SR 800-323-4331 870-5955 DATA 800-323-4322 870-5950 SAVE-A-DELAY 800-443-1269 870-5904 ITRON 800-443-1269 800-654-4649 JULIE - JOINT ETILITY LOCATING INFO. FOR EXCAVATING 800-892-0123 LDMC 800-635-2376 MLT TROUBLE 312-727-8201 MOBILE SERVICE 312-977-6601 NETWORK SERVICE CENTER 312-727-5421 NIGHT PLANT 312-727-2771 NON-PUB BUREAU 691-4120 CALL BACK NUMBER 506-3740 NORTHERN TELCOM LOANER PHONES 800-686-2619 NTEC - NETWORK TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT CENTER ----------------------------------------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 398-5928 WHEATON 462-2786 OPEN LINE CIRCUIT ----------------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 577-9997 ELK GROVE 981-9997 LOMBARD 620-9997 ROSELLE 351-9997 SCHAUMBURG WILLOWCREST 884-9997 PREDICTOR TROUBLE 870-6650 PIC VERIFICATION ---------------- RECORDING 700-555-4141 OFFICE 312-993-7423 PRINTERS -------- ADDISON G185 SCHAUMBURG G154 QUIET LINE ---------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 253-9938 ELK GROVE 593-9938 LOMBARD 620-9938 ROSELLE 980-9938 SCHAUMBURG 240-9937 WILLOWCREST 882-9938 REMOTES ------- ARLINGTON --------- KENNICOTT & DUNDEE 577-2713 3040 SALT CREEK ROAD 506-0169 THORNTON & ARL. HTS. 255-2962 STRATHMORE & ARL. HTS. 255-5157 FRONTAGE & RT. 53 259-9868 KENNICOTT & SHURE 392-0458 3800 N. KENNICOTT 325-6923 PALATINE & WINDSOR 394-0575 REAR 3550 SALT CREEK LANE 394-9069 ELK GROVE --------- 1050 BUSSE 952-6008 1220 ALGONQUIN ROAD 3820 GOLF ROAD 228-0788 1701 GOLF ROAD & TOWER 3 2050 LOIS DRIVE 228-0650 APOLLO & GOLF ROSELLE ------- 360 SCHICK ROAD 351-7459 294 GLEN ELLYN ROAD 924-0121 242 ARMY TRAIL ROAD 893-4850 SCHAUMBURG ---------- 231 MARTINGALE FLR. 5 WILLOWCREST ----------- 840 STATE PARKWAY 882-3951 1900 GOLF ROAD 605-0033 1718 MEACHAM 397-7850 2385 HAMMOND DRIVE 387-3425 LOMBARD DOOR CODE ------- --------- 2100 FINLEY RD. N. OF 22ND ST. 3+4&1 CEVRT#01 PG43 627-9010 1 OAKBROOK TERR. BUTTERFIELD & 22ND 3+4&5 BLDGRT#02 PG44 627-1001 423 SWIFT AT COMM. ED. PLANT 3+4&5 PREM423S PG46 691-4799 2010 HIGHLAND AVE RSU 42135 BLDGRT#04 PG48 916-9950 509 PINEBROOK OFF FINLEY RD. CABLE HSE LOCK CEVRT#05 PG47 495-0432 301 SWIFT AT COMM. ED. PREM301S 4N250 SWIFT RD. N. OF ARMY TRAIL 3+4&5 CEVRT#07 PG61 627-9979 1718 FULLERTON E. OF RT. 53 3+4&5 CEV1718F1 PG62 629-9979 SCC (SWITCHING CONTROL CENTER) ------------------------------ #1 ESS 398-8740 #2 ESS 398-8700 #5 ESS, DMS 870-2830 5DIMC #1 -------- AH, RZ 398-8761 EG 398-8762 WL 398-9860 5DINC #5, DMS 870-2830 SERVICE CENTER (BUSINESS OFFICE) -------------------------------- AMIGO SERVICE 800-621-4833 BUSINESS (CHICAGO HEIGHTS) CUSTOMER NUMBER 800-635-2600 INTRA-COMPANY 756-6167 BILLING 800-435-2200 RESIDENCE 800-244-4444 MARKETING (CENTREX ORDERS) 800-533-0100 MARKETING (IBT ACCOUNTS) 727-8500 MARKETING (MAJOR ACCOUNTS) 574-5200 TOLL DEPARTMENTS ---------------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 253-9960 ELK GROVE 981-9960 LOMBARD 627-9960 ROSELLE 529-9960 SCHAUMBURG 240-9960 WILLOWCREST 882-9960 TRUCK TROUBLE 800-325-9549 1000 CYCLES ----------- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 398-9940 ELK GROVE 593-9940 LOMBARD 620-9940 ROSELLE 980-9940 SCHAUMBURG 240-9940 WILLOWCREST 882-9940 3 TONE SLOPE ------------ ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 577-9832 ELK GROVE 364-9832 LOMBARD 628-9832 ROSELLE 894-9832 SCHAUMBURG WILLOWCREST 490-9897 SUPERVISOR NUMBERS OFFICE PAGER MOBILE ------------------ ------ ----- ------ MAINTENANCE CENTER ------------------ DIRECTOR 506-3700 DISPATCH SUPERVISOR 506-3730 SPECIAL SERVICE 506-3790 611 506-3710 INSTALLATION 870-5942 ISNTALLATION 870-5948 SCHAUMBURG GARAGE ----------------- AREA MANAGER 307-2500 312-760-3996 CABLE REPAIR-SOUTH TURF 307-2503 817-6871 533-9769 CABLE REPAIR-NORTH TURF 307-2506 643-4921 567-0343 DATA,PRESSURE,BURIED DROPS 307-2526 817-8634 533-9774 INSTALLATION 307-2511 817-7597 533-6116 INSTALLATION 307-2510 ADDISON GARAGE -------------- CABLE REPAIR 620-3859 643-4922 567-3881 DATA & MAINTENANCE 620-3860 319-5460 533-6114 MT. PROSPECT ------------ CABLE REPAIR 253-9958 319-8576 533-6111 CABLE & PRESSURE 259-9956 319-8553 533-6118 ELK GROVE GARAGE ---------------- POTS MAINTENANCE 228-9950 319-8657 533-9763 INSTALLATION 228-5619 319-8623 533-6115 INSTALLATION 228-5609 319-8656 533-0273 WIRE CENTER NPA NNX PREFIX ----------- --- --- ------ ARLINGTON HEIGHTS 708 253 019,042,127,154,253,255 259,395,394,398,435,506 577,590,632,670,818,870 999 ELK GROVE 708 228 228,290,364,437,437,569 593,640,806,952,956,981 ROSELLE 708 893 019,055,307,314,351,401 504,529,603,612,613,893 894,905,924,950,980 SCHAUMBURG 708 240 240,330,517,605,619,644 706,762 SCHAUMBURG NORTH 708 576 125,538,576 WILLOWCREST 708 882 081,126,303,310,397,490 519,536,659,843,882,884 885,950 LOMBARD 708 261,268,495,543,620,627 628,629,691,916,932,953 LOMBARD RING BACK NUMBERS ------------------------- 1-571-XXXX 627,620,628 1-572-XXXX 627,543 1-573-XXXX 932 1-574-XXXX 495,953 1-575-XXXX 261,268,916 MANAGER LOCATION RESP.CODE. RES. ID ------- -------- ---------- ------- ARLINGTON CMC ------------- CATHY FOSTER ARLINGTON HTS. 1041-521 AH00 RICH BARTHOLOMAY ARLINGTON HTS. 1041-522 AH02/EL02/WK02 DON GIROLAMO SCHAUMBURG 1041-523 DS10 STEVE KROCKA DUNDEE POLE PULLING 1041-524 DP13/P40 BERT PERSON BUFFALO GROVE 1041-525 DF16 HOWARD YANCY BUFFALO GROVE 1041-526 AH06/EL06/WK06 ELGIN CMC --------- JON SCHMIDT ST. CHARLES 1041-531 EL63 ROGER HERMAN ST. CHARLES 1041-532 EL13 AL SEATON ELGIN 1041-533 EL62 DAN ROGMAN ELGIN 1041-534 EL14 ROGER RIWBOCK DUNDEE 1041-535 EL66 DUNDEE LINE (VACANT) DUNDEE 1041-536 EL16 JIM HART SCHAUMBURG 1041-537 LM12/LM61 ADDISON LINE/SPLICING ADDISON 1041-538 LM11/LM63 PETE AMBER MT. PROSPECT 1041-539 LM14/LM66 WHEATON RES.ID LM13 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO EL13 WHEATON RES.ID LM62 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO LM63 JOBS FOR THE GLEN ELLYN WIRE CENTER SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO LM11/LM63. -- Now here's the blackpowder for all of you's people. I realize that it's an old subject and it's too often mentioned in text files, but hell, it works! I suggest that if you try to do this, that you don't, because it is illegal! However, owning the chemicals required to make it is not, so feel free to stock up and experiment. I will try to introduce the method as matter-of-factly as possible. I'll also try to keep the instructions impersonal (I have to sound innocent, right?). Here is what you would need: o Two buckets, both non metal o Container for storage, non metal. Must be airtight. o An old shirt o Wooden spoon or glass rod for stirring o Five quarts of alcohol o 5" x 5" sheet of screen (ok to improvise with any size screen of nonmetal type) o Wood charcoal - three pieces (large) o One tablespoon of sulfur o 24 oz of Potassium Nitrate (680 grams) o Water o Heat source o Ceramic or metal container for heating If made according to instructions, this should produce roughly two pounds of blackpowder. Heat water in ceramic or metal container until little bubbles appear. Do not boil. While water is heating, crush charcoal into as small pieces as possible. This can be done by placing the charcoal in the shirt and beating it against the ground, or hitting the lumps with a hammer (with the charcoal in the shirt, in order to keep it from spraying all over). Put the charcoal dust into one of the buckets, and add the tablespoon of sulfur to the dust. Dump ALL of the potassium nitrate into the bucket along with the rust and the sulphur. If there are any clumps of potassium nitrate (it should be in granules, like sugar), then break the clumps down by hitting them with the wooden spoon or glass rod. Shaking the container(s) of potassium nitrate before pouring it (them) out also helps reduce the size of the clumps and can sometimes elminate them entirely. The water that had been heated should now be added to the charcoal/sulfur/potassium nitrate mixture, but just enough to make it into a thick paste. Stir the paste until the color is roughly gray. If it is not gray, then add more charcoal dust. Dispose of the remaining water-- it will not be needed. Add all five quarts of alcohol to the mixture and stir rapidly for thirty seconds to one minute, then let the mixture stand for about five minutes. During that time, a film may form on top of the liquid. If this occurs, stir the mixture some more. It is likely the film will not disapear completely, so do not be alarmed if it does not! After the five minutes have passed, hold the shirt over the other bucket and then pour the mixture through the shirt. The shirt will catch and hold the blackish-grey mixture. Make sure to keep a good hold on the shirt, or it may fall into the bucket you are pouring into. If that occurs, then you will have to scrape the wet powder out the bucket and redo the straining process. After you have caught all of the powder, wring the shirt out, squeezing all of the alcohol out and into the bucket. When finished, the used alcohol may be saved for later use in the production of blackpowder or can be disposed of. The blackpowder should be moist and wrung out of excess alcohol. Take clumps of the powder and rub it through the screen, into the storage container. A shoebox lid makes a good place to have the "screened" powder sit and dry. When drying, set the powder in direct sunlight. A maximum of two hours is good drying time. This is because while the powder may dry out of alcohol, it may draw in water moisture after sitting out for too long. This is bad because the powder will not be as potent. As a rule of thumb, the longer the powder sits out and dries, the less potent it will be. So, it is best to keep the drying time as short as possible, but to get the powder as dry as possible. Another good rule to follow is checking the powder every ten to fifteen minutes and feeling it to see if it is dry enough. Rotating the container (or shoebox lid) is also good, as it helps elminate possible hot spots that may develop. Such spots are not harmful, but rotation will help the powder dry more evenly by allowing other sections of the powder to get such hot spots. Now that the powder is dry (you hope), it is time to test it. Make sure that the powder is NOT tested anywhere near the bulk of the storage! I know of a good sob story that effectively demonstrates why this is important. An associate of mine was testing his batch when a spark flew roughly twenty feet and ignited his box of powder. Wow, he was pissed. If getting pissed is not desired, then test the powder on the other side of the house, or better yet, get a spoonful and put the rest away, in storage, where nothing can get to it, and then test the sample on the other side of the house. Should the reader decide to create this substance, be careful! Even homemade explosives, such as this one, can be terribly dangerous in the hands of the stupid anarchist. Remember that this is NOT to be made! Should the instructions be followed, however, I take NO responsibility for such actions and the consequences. A question that often pops into mind after reading material like these directions is "Why would I want to make this stuff, anyway?" Well, that's not easy to answer. I can give a few ideas, but the most "fun" obtained from the substance is from ideas of creator's own devising. In any case, here are a few methods of using the stuff that were interesting to me: something can be launched out of a pipe, rocketry for example; something can be up (this can be useful, if there is a tree stump that needs to be removed, or if an actual tree needs to be removed for the placement of a satellite dish, etc.); blackpowder can be mixed with sugar to make a "smoke screen"; and lastly, just for entertainment. Holidays, like the Fourth of July for example, prove to be excellent excuses to create blackpowder. Small fireworks, rockets with reports, smoke bombs, all of that fun stuff can be created with blackpowder. Rockets, unfortunately must be launched from under pressure, as blackpowder itself does not provide enough thrust as a propellant. Blackpowder does provide the pressure to push the rocket out of the pipe or tube used to house the rocket, however. I'm sorry I cannot provide instructions for such endeavors, but hey, what fun is it if I tell all the secrets? Right? Well heck, why not give a few. Drill a hole into the middle of your favourite pipe, and fill the sucker up to the hole. Put your wick into the hole, and put finely powdered salt peter around the area (to help light the gunpowder. You do not have to do this, but you will have more duds if you don't). Then fill the rest of the pipe up. Pack the powder as tightly as possible, preferably using a wooden stick or spoon. Wooden spoons are cheap, so go buy one! When you are satisfied with your packing job, check the threads for any gunpowder, and clean it off if there is any there. Now cap the end. DO NOT POUND THE CAPS ON! If you do that, you will soon be reading about yourself in the stupidity awards section. Place the pipe wherever you see fit. It is a good idea to make the wick at least six inches long. I do not know what types of wick you will use, so test out some of the wick to get an idea of how fast it burns. Six inches may not be enough, so you can understand why it's a good idea to test it. If the wick is slow burning, you might want to add bottle rocket propellant rather than salt peter in the hole where the wick goes. Rocket propellant will burn much quicker and is easier to ignite. In fact, I suggest this over the salt peter in any cases, but if you don't have it (rocket propellant), then make do with what you have. Also, for those of you with limited supplies of wick that burn fast, get some cigarettes and use one to start off the wick. Jab the wick into the tobacco (tear off the filter and dispose of it). It should take 5-8 minutes to burn to the wick, depending on wind and other such factors. A safer alternative to using a metal pipe would be to use the plastic PCB tubing. The blast isn't as strong, but at least you have a much greater chance of living if you get caught in the arrays of shrapnel in the unlikely event of something going wrong (You know, the "Hey, its not working. I'm gonna see if it's lit yet." BOOOM!). Ok, so it was only one idea. You guys are smart, you can come up with some ingenious methods. If you come across anything cool, let us know, and we'll include it and give you the credit. -- That's it! You know the number, give us a call! Today's date is May 5th, 1994. Summer approaches! Do me a favor and raise a little hell, eh? -- EOF "The number you call is wrong! Please call information" - some kraftwerk song! the tapes in my car, so I don't remember the name!