Interview
Handle: The Dark Angel/FBR (Homepage)
How did you come up with your alias ?
To be quite honest, I can't remember for sure. I remember reading some OLD (They were many years old at the time, and that was in like '87 or so) hacking text files, and remember running across the handle of someone named "Knight Angel" or something, and I thought of T.D.A..
City / Country:
Detroit, MI. I have always lived here, however, I am considering a move real soon to Phoenix Arizona.
Born year:
1974
What was your first computer, and when did you get it?
That would have been a Vic-20, and I can't remember the exact date.. However, it must have been roughly when they were released, because it was around $300.
How did you get into the scene and what groups have you been a member of ?
I guess, as soon as I got a C-64 and a modem, and started calling around. I was importing for FBR for a while, then I joined ATC.
What was the proudest moment in your career ?
The proudest moment of my career was figuring out how to get TONS of AT&T Calling Cards.. Back in the day, these were the preferred method of calling the states from Europe, and I always had codes.
For what specific reason(s) do you think that you are remembered ?
Probably because of the sheer volume of codes I was able to obtain. I ALWAYS had an abundance of VMBS, Codes, etc.
What would you like to be remembered for ?
I just want to be remembered for being part of the scene. in '87 & '88, the 64 scene was my life. I remember TRYING to get suspended from school just so I could come home and import.. Terrible, huh?
What made you stop the scene activity ? (and do you remember when?)
That would have been the FBI and the local police knocking on my door, taking all of my computer equipment, and throwing me in the local Youth Detention center for 6 months. - It was on my birthday in 1988.
This also brings up another tid bit of information -
About 3 weeks ago, I recieved a phone call from the local police station, and they said "We've got a bunch of your old computer equipment sitting here collecting dust, and if you don't want to come pick it up, were going to throw it out". (Mind, this was 8 years AFTER they took it all!) Needless to say, I'm the proud owner of 3 128's, 2 64's, 41's, 71's, 81's, SFDs & A Lt. Kernal 20 meg HD (which I had just purchased before I got tapped!)
They also gave me back all my old notebooks, (chock full of old AT&T's, Visas, old BBS's accounts and passwords, etc) ALL my old Discs with thousands of old c-64 games/demos/intros,etc, all my old magazines, etc.
I suppose this is was really re-kindled my interests in the 64, and prompted me to type "fbr atc inc fairlight" into my WWW search engine, and to find you guys. I can't believe I didn't do this a long time ago.
Thinking back on the good old days, is there anything you regret?
Yes. I regret being stupid, and getting busted. I regret not doing ALOT more while I could get away with it. (While I was a kid), other than that, I don't think I would have done anything different.
What was your favorite games/demos:
I was never really much into playing games, but I do remember sitting for HOURS in front of Maniac Mansion and Labryinth for the 64.. I can't really remember too many older ones.
I can't really remember any of the names of my fav demos, but I LOVED all the Euro demos, and frequently had Ironfist of Zenith NTSC fix em so I could enjoy them to their full potential here.
What is your favorite programmers/groups,etc.
Well, I always admired Mitch of ESI, JJ The Breaker of UCF/RAD, and Changeling & Death Demon of FBR. For european programmers, It would have to be Ironfist & Hendy of Zenith, and one of the guys from DCS, and another from BROS, which I can't remember.
Contrary to what alot of people say/have said about Steve of Zenith, he really was a good cracker, if he could get originals. I don't really remember him freezing anything, but then again, I can't remember paying that much attention to him back then, either.
Fav memories:
The most vivid & memorable events were the countless DAYS (and I DO mean days) of conference calls, with tons of people from all over the world.
One particular event that I recall was one time, a bunch of us called a radio show doing a story on hackers, and about 15 of us were put on the air, and answered a bunch of questions.. It was alot of fun.
FAVORITE DRINK ?
COFFEE & Coke. :)
What are you doing nowadays ?
I currently own and operate a 75 line public BBS, and provide Internet access to local goverment, etc.
What are you doing on your spare time?
Running my company, and contemplating marriage.
Is there anything you'd like to say to the public (read: admires)
Stay true to your roots, and NEVER, EVER give up on anything you do.