#ctf 3

[goatsludge]

CTF Photonics CTF3 + Malkoff E1HTv2 and Z-Bolt Blazer IR Heads

A follow-up to the previous post, this unit officially belongs to @bureau-of-mines' AK build and figured I'd give my own more thorough early impressions on it so far - despite the presence of other devices hitting the market around the same time and price bracket as this, I still feel like the CTF3 has a niche of its own to fill.

The key selling point to this unit is its modularity - in lieu of an onboard IR illuminator, the CTF3 features effectively two 3V Scout Flashlight bodies machined into the laser body that sit saddleback on either side of the top rail. This allows you to interchange whatever IR or white light heads you need for your specific setup.

The fire buttons are surprisingly easy to reach despite the protruding battery caps; the center button being laser only and the smaller left and right buttons activating both the laser and the corresponding light body.

Sadly this means your IR laser will be activated when using the white light, and there's also no constant-on function for the light bodies, but such is life.

In my opinion, the greatest benefit of the CTF3 is its low profile - this really is the perfect laser for an AK or other rifle that force you to use lower-mounted optics. It fills the same niche as the 3EIR DIR Series, except it's more modular, made of higher quality materials, asks roughly half the cost (as far as a base unit without heads), and eliminates a separate white light setup, keeping the overall cost of accessories down.

Obviously, you also lose a remote cable port, vis laser, power output controls, the ability to co-align the illuminator with the laser dot, and divergence control is greatly limited as well (unless you get an IR Blazer Head), but you get the benefit of having less integral components to fail within the laser body itself.

Although I have a massive bias to ancient laser boxes, the CTF3 is a very cool unit and I love how it works on "westernized" AK setups (though how well it handles 7.62x39 is yet to be determined). Love to see more from CTF going forwards.

Also giving @avtomatkalashnikova a tag since he was interested in this setup as well.

[callsthefaithful]

b4 death B) - angel w a little hat below cut <3

tried to stick to their death dates a bit but. idk i only googled for like 5 mins. also i wanted those old news print colours 😌

[napoftustar]

my best friend came to me said “one of our friends wanted to know/try out kpop and while others were sending blackpink, exo, bts songs i sent her txt!!! i’m the best, right???” HAHAHSGQGSHFJFJEJKDMQHF and i was like “proud of you lil soldier” hahsbdnwjqkdjxdmwkkf

[utaesthetics]

CTF-Searchlight

[retrokid616]

so orym running with ludinus's staff basically this?

[skeletalheartattack]

You should play tf2 more

i've been playing a lot of it as of late actually, mostly been trying to practice playing pyro better, though i just don't really talk about it. really been trying to master the detonator.

my only real exposure to the game currently through playing it is just playing casual, i don't really play any community servers these days.

[autism-corner]

mlllm

[liinos]

(blue spring) > chasing that feeling > growing pain > deep down > stepping stones >>> dreamer = happily ever after

[goatsludge]

CTF Photonics - CTF-3 Laser Aiming Module

So far it seems very well-constructed. The CNC billet 6065 aluminum body feels solid, the rail clamp is well thought-out, the and the battery caps don't impede button activation as much as I thought they would.

However, getting the bad out of the way first, the adjustment turrets, contrary to my original assumption, do not feature 'clicky' MOA increments - they seem like they've got an internal o-ring somewhere to tension the screws for zeroing adjustment and the marks on the vertical turret are just there as witness marks more than actual adjustments.

Additionally the screws are small and seem easy to strip for how much pressure's needed to turn them. But for they do seem like they'll hold zero no issue once adjusted, for what it's worth.

The unit is incredibly low-profile as you would expect - an IR-only laser diode sits center over bore with what amounts to two independent 300-style scout flashlight bodies sitting saddleback on either side of the top rail. One holds a white light and the other would hold some form of IR illuminator head (B.E. Meyers KIJI, Z-Bolt Blazer, 3EIR Vulcan).

It seems like a good solution for secondary or tertiary builds that you wanna tack NV capabilities onto. Incidentally, due to being so low-profile, it's the perfect MFAL for an AK or other rifles that you can't put excessively tall optic risers on due to the stock being lower than the top of the receiver.

I've ordered a Z-Bolt Blazer Head and will be donating this laser to @bureau-of-mines' AK in trade for a Holosun IRIS-3 or AMMJ Penumbra (depending on whether the former restocks before I make up the additional cash to afford the latter).

For the sake of comparison, here's the CTF-3 without any heads in between a Steiner DBAL D2 and an EG NGAL.

The CTF-3 seems like a large unit, but it's very flat and carries most of its weight in the integral flashlight bodies, which it spreads out nicely. Plus the fact it eliminates a separate white light setup also cuts down greatly on weight.

While I don't recommend this unit for AR15's (given the abundance of better options now), I'd say it still has a niche to fill. Basically, it's a DIR-V that traded the lighter weight and the crane port for superior build quality and sheer modularity. And also not costing $2000 fucking dollars.

[rockintapper]

ktitltieirjoeitiekktkekkektieitkkejunygabygyeftfstgsyc bhr rnNbUyaLtkritiekn :3:3:3::3:3:3::3:3:3:3::3::3:3::3:3;33;3;3;:3;3;3; v ::3:3::3:3:3;3::::33;3;:3:3:3333333 ♤♤€><€\€€\♡♤{♤

is it okay if i ask you to draw

cats ,,llike the kitties,,

hapy brithbdya happy halwoeeenAaaAaa!!!!!!!

patpat

you can ask for cats, its ok

i can draw cats

here, i hope you like these cats, there are a few of them, and mice if it’s ok as an extra

there’s a kitties! kittie, there’s forthington, there’s my sona, and there’s billy in the cat suit, along with a rat from rat race and a mouse enemy

[radio-ghost-cooks]

I JUST PLAYED AN ACTUAL CASUAL MATCH OF TF2 AS MEDIC AND I LOVE PLAYING MEDIC SM

he's my pookie he's my little homosexual man i run around with him and make sure my teammates don't die and occaisonally help them get kills with the syringe gun :]

it was so much fun i followed around this Heavy in ctf for a little while AND WE GOT THE INTELLIGENCE BACK TO BASE 3 TIMES!!!!

i lobve playing Meds sm <333333

(also shoutout to the Sniper who was yapping in chat with me while i was giving Snipes a try! Seychelles i have no idea if ur ever gonna see this but u were so nice :] )

[utaesthetics]

CTF-Vertabrae

[ixhika-jsx]

Resources and study tips to get you in cyber forensics

Master post • Part1 • part2

let's get you prepped to be a cyber sleuth without spending any cash. Here’s the ultimate tips and resources.

Ps: you can't become one while doing these pointers but you can experience the vibe so you can finally find your career interest

### 1. **Digital Scavenger Hunts**

- **CTF Challenges (Capture The Flag)**: Dive into platforms like [CTFtime](https://ctftime.org/) where you can participate in cyber security challenges. It's like playing *Among Us* but with hackers—find the imposter in the code!

- **Hunt A Killer (Digitally)**: Create your own digital crime scenes. Ask friends to send you files (like images, PDFs) with hidden clues. Your job? Find the Easter eggs and solve the case.

### 2. **YouTube University**

- **Cyber Sleuth Tutorials**: Channels like *HackerSploit* and *The Cyber Mentor* have playlists covering digital forensics, cybersecurity, and more. Binge-watch them like your fave Netflix series, but here you're learning skills to catch bad guys.

- **Live Streams & Q&A**: Jump into live streams on platforms like Twitch where cybersecurity experts solve cases in real-time. Ask questions, get answers, and interact with the pros.

### 3. **Public Libraries & eBook Treasure Hunts**

- **Library eBooks**: Most libraries have eBooks or online resources on digital forensics. Check out titles like *"Hacking Exposed"* or *"Digital Forensics for Dummies"*. You might have to dig through the catalog, but think of it as your first case.

- **LinkedIn Learning via Library**: Some libraries offer free access to LinkedIn Learning. If you can snag that, you've got a goldmine of courses on cybersecurity and forensics.

### 4. **Virtual Study Groups**

- **Discord Servers**: Join cybersecurity and hacking communities on Discord. They often have study groups, challenges, and mentors ready to help out. It's like joining a digital Hogwarts for hackers.

- **Reddit Threads**: Subreddits like r/cybersecurity and r/hacking are packed with resources, advice, and study buddies. Post your questions, and you’ll get a whole thread of answers.

### 5. **DIY Labs at Home**

- **Build Your Own Lab**: Got an old PC or laptop? Turn it into a practice lab. Install virtual machines (VMware, VirtualBox) and play around with different operating systems and security tools. It’s like Minecraft but for hacking.

- **Log Your Own Activity**: Turn on logging on your own devices and then try to trace your own steps later. You’re basically spying on yourself—no NSA required.

### 6. **Community College & University Open Courses**

- **Free Audit Courses**: Many universities offer free auditing of cybersecurity courses through platforms like Coursera, edX, and even YouTube. No grades, no stress, just pure learning.

- **MOOCs**: Massive Open Online Courses often have free tiers. Try courses like "Introduction to Cyber Security" on platforms like FutureLearn or edX.

### 7. **Scour GitHub**

- **Open-Source Tools**: GitHub is full of open-source forensic tools and scripts. Clone some repositories and start tinkering with them. You’re basically getting your hands on the tools real investigators use.

- **Follow the Code**: Find projects related to digital forensics, follow the code, and see how they work. Contribute if you can—bonus points for boosting your resume.

### 8. **Local Meetups & Online Conferences**

- **Free Virtual Conferences**: Many cybersecurity conferences are virtual and some offer free access. DEF CON has a lot of free content, and you can find tons of talks on YouTube.

- **Hackathons**: Look for free entry hackathons—often universities or tech companies sponsor them. Compete, learn, and maybe even win some gear.

### 9. **DIY Challenges**

- **Create Your Own Scenarios**: Get a friend to simulate a hack or data breach. You try to solve it using whatever tools and resources you have. It's like escape rooms, but digital.

- **Pen & Paper Simulation**: Before diving into digital, try solving forensic puzzles on paper. Map out scenarios and solutions to get your brain wired like a detective.

### 10. **Stay Updated**

- **Podcasts & Blogs**: Tune into cybersecurity podcasts like *Darknet Diaries* or follow blogs like *Krebs on Security*. It’s like getting the tea on what’s happening in the cyber world.

### 11. **Free Software & Tools**

- **Autopsy**: Free digital forensics software that helps you analyze hard drives and mobile devices. Think of it as your magnifying glass for digital clues.

- **Wireshark**: A free tool to see what's happening on your network. Catch all the data packets like you're a digital fisherman.

### 12. **Online Forensics Communities**

- **Free Webinars & Workshops**: Join communities like the *SANS Institute* for free webinars. It's like attending a masterclass but from the comfort of your gaming chair.

- **LinkedIn Groups**: Join groups like *Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR)*. Network with pros, get job tips, and stay in the loop with the latest trends.

### 13. **Practice Cases & Mock Trials**

- **Set Up Mock Trials**: Role-play with friends where one is the hacker, another the victim, and you’re the investigator. Recreate cases from famous cybercrimes to see how you'd solve them.

- **Case Studies**: Research and recreate famous digital forensic cases. What steps did the investigators take? How would you handle it differently?

There you have it—your roadmap to becoming a cyber sleuth without dropping a dime. You don't have time find your interest after paying pennies to different ppl and colleges. You can explore multiple things from comfort of your home only if you want to.

[lunatic-harness]

a brief and informal history of unofficial team fortress

inspired by a reply i made explaining that fortress forever was developed during the interim between team fortress classic and team fortress 2.

so after the quakeworld team fortress (qwtf) devs got hired by valve, fans took it into their own hands to expand on the original team fortress formula. this post provides a brief summary of various notable TF mods for other games over the past two decades, from the first quakeworld tf mods to modern revivals of the old team fortress formula.

Mega Team Fortress (Quakeworld)

mostly an expansion of qwtf. scout has flashbangs and a jetpack, most classes can lay traps, sniper can call down airstrikes (jesus fucking christ), engineer has a mini sentry, and so on. admittedly had a hard time finding info on this one

Custom Team Fortress (Quakeworld)

each player gets cash (a la counter-strike) to customize their class with weapons, armor, and special abilities. abilities are pretty crazy like being able to summon quake enemies, give nearby teammates quad damage, and disarm enemy players.

Weapons Factory series (various games, initial version Quake 2)

as mentioned above, since the original TF team was busy working at valve, it was up to fans to continue TF into quake 2. weapons factory for quake 2 was pretty big at the time, even showing up in a french gaming magazine.

this one deviates a lot more from qwtf because it wasn't intended to be team fortress at all; it began as a simple CTF with classes mod, but later updates bumped up the class count until there were 9 of them that vaguely followed the TF class setup. the cool thing about this one is that everyone has a grappling hook.

anyways look at these class names lol it's like dollar store team fortress.

(while the analogues of which WF class is which TF class is kinda obvious, the cyborg is actually more like a mix of soldier and demo with a tf2 sapper)

weapons factory got sequels/ports for quake 3, quake 4, unreal tournament, and even half-life 2.

Quake 3 Fortress (Quake 3) and Enemy Territory Fortress (Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory)

while weapons factory was enough for people to get their tf fix in quake 2 and 3, and team fortress classic came out in 1999, some people decided to make a proper team fortress for quake 3 anyways. behold, at the turn of the millennium: q3f. all the classes play similarly to their qwtf counterparts, though quake 3's physics does change the gameplay a bit.

the developers of quake 3 fortress formed splash damage in 2001, a studio that went on to work on the multiplayer components of various games like batman: arkham origins, halo mcc, and gears 5.

enemy territory fortress is a 2005 port of q3f to enemy territory wolfenstein, which ran on a heavily modified quake 3 engine. not much to say about it since it doesn't do anything particularly different from q3f.

Unreal Fortress (Unreal Tournament '99)

also coming in at the turn of the millennium was unreal fortress. abbreviated to "UnF" like the sound doomguy makes when he interacts with a wall. what stands out about unf is that engineer (sorry, "armourer") can attach a rocket launcher or flamethrower to his sentries, and non-armourer teammates could apply class-specific upgrades to them such as snipers improving sentry aim and spies adding enemy spy detection.

Quake 4 Fortress (Quake 4)

hey look, it's 2fort

there's not a lot of info about this once since it didn't have much of an audience - feels like a mod nobody asked for for a game nobody asked for. mostly takes after qwtf with extra stuff like scout having flashbangs. quake 4 fortress was abandoned in development and released in an early state with full source code.

Attackers Go Red (Quakeworld)

released in 2006, attackers go red is a qwtf mod built around one team always being on the offensive and one team always on the defensive. it also carries over some abilities from custom tf.

in the days of qwtf capture the flag a common way to play was for one team to always be attacking and the other defending (known as o/d) -- this was great because the typical push and pull of symmetrical ctf didnt really work in qwtf, so it ensured constant action for both teams involved. problem is, there was nothing enforcing this: if the "attacking" team decides to go on the defensive the gameplay slows to a crawl because now both teams are turtling instead of fighting each other, and additionally there's nothing stopping a "defending" player from going behind the other team's back and stealing their flag what with them being occupied with offense.

attackers go red solves this problem by enforcing the attack/defend split: red gets points for capturing flags, blue gets points for defending for a certain amount of time.

Fortress Forever

the thing that separates fortress forever from all the other games just mentioned is that fortress forever takes more from team fortress classic than qwtf.

didn't last very long because tf2 managed to stop being vaporware in the middle of its development and even released before fortress forever did, but it still found a small niche as a continuation of tfc's gameplay style in the source engine. has new features like scout being able to build jump pads, spy being able to turn enemy sentries against its team, and pyro being able to use their flamethrower as an improvised jetpack.

i really like the industrial aesthetic it has going on. ff demoman looking like a white tf2 demoman is a hilarious coincidence -- he's styled after the old team fortress classic demoman. menu theme is a banger.

section break: everything from this line onwards came out after team fortress 2

Doom Fortress (Doom)

it's team fortress 2 for doom (specifically, the zandronum source port)! all it actually brings over is the classes; not a difficult task since zandronum already provides a class system and some gamemodes. uses assets from other 90s fps games. i love how heavy is just the doom 2 chaingunner and pyro is just doom 64 doomguy. here's germanpeter's video on it and here's an abandoned attempt to update it from 2018

FortressOne (Quakeworld)

the latest revival of oldskool team fortress, as a result fortressone has a little bit of everything. you have to reload weapons like tf2/tfc; pyro has airblast and scout has double jump from tf2; most class loadouts are closer to tfc than qwtf; tfc and fortress forever maps are available. has a small but active community on discord and is still being actively worked on. check it out here

Typical Colors 2 (Roblox)

this one's just a tf2 clone in roblox. also includes some unofficial gamemodes like versus saxton hale and randomizer

TF2 Classic

based on the tf2 beta, team fortress classic brings back features that didn't see the light of day like scout's nailgun and demoman's dynamite bundle. tf2c is more well known for its custom weapon support though: the most popular servers have hundreds of custom weapons bundled in, most of which are unbalanced in a pretty fun way. check it out here

[derangedthots]

i likely won't be active(posting, messaging, answering asks) for a while yet but i just wanted to pop in real quick with a blanket statement that CTF isn't abandoned and that i'm still working on the next update/s. infinite hugs and thank you's to everyone who checked in and sent their well-wishes<3

your wife,

derangedthots

[debian-official]

What is IRC? <3

Internet Relay Chat! Ask your local Old Nerd about it and their eyes will light up and they will tell you stories about magical times in the olden days. You'll also see it a lot in hacking related movies & TV series

It's being used a lot less now (even for CTF hacking competitions), but a lot of communities are still active on there.

If I'm not mistaken Hexchat comes preinstalled on @ubuntu-official but you can use any irc client to sniff around & join channels that seem interesting