Update #54: Negotiation progress, and Las Vegas
Hey folks!
Sorry it's 5am as this is going out. This is my 2nd all nighter in a row (working on lock stuff, as always!) and this is the last stop before I grab a few hours of sleep.
Production:
I've been told to get a deposit ready! That said? I still need to test the test batch, but it appears that price negotiations are finally settling out. Initially I thought there was some real epic stuff going on, then I came to realize that I'm probably just a fairly low priority in the lives of the people dealing with this. Revelatory moment for me. Not that I'm not being treated well, just that I think the speed of communication could be much better.
Oh, and a quick note. I've had several people tell me that I could potentially bring legal action against the first shop if they broke a contract. Let me be very clear - they didn't. Never did we get to the point of having anything on paper, just verbal assurances from my intermediary. I never even had the opportunity to speak to the shop directly, all of which was yet another mark of my own naivete in all of this. Things are proceeding more formally with the current shop. Thank you all for your concern in that matter, though!
Las Vegas
On Tuesday I'm headed to Las Vegas for BSides Las Vegas and Defcon. At Security BSides I'll be presenting a talk titled "Vulnerability Research Circa 1850" that will cover much of the public exploration of physical security that was going on around the events of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the resulting "Lock Controversy." I'm using those events to explore how we handle vulnerability research historically, and how we are doing it today.
At Defcon I'll be presenting a talk titled "DIY NDE" or "Do It Yourself, Non-Destructive Entry" which will focus on opening various locks with found objects like popsicle sticks and palm sanders.
My speaking engagements won't have any effect on production timelines. As I think I've made clear it's pretty much just a waiting game for me now, though I have stoked the fires of communication and am keeping myself available to my production guy to answer questions, provide financial info, etc.
Also - don't worry. My travel schedule won't prevent me from providing an update next week. It will be live from Defcon. Hope to see some of you there!
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This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 24, 2010.
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Anyone who donates will get templates of the tools in EPS, PDF, PNG, SVG, etc. formats (basically every format I can export, which will include CAD files) along with instructions for making these tools yourself. I'll offer material suggestions and finishing ideas too.
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Practice Makes Perfect! A practice kit with 3 locks progressively pinned, security pins, tweezers, plug follower and instructions for repinning your own locks. All packaged in a lovely tin. [+ Templates!]
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Hors d'Oeuvres! A set of 5 picks! There will be two options available, either 5 advanced picks or 5 starter picks. Your choice! This selection will come with a small case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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First Course! A set of 10 picks! There will be two options available, either the 10 starter picks or the 10 advanced picks. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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Main Course! The full set of 20 picks! You will get every pick I have designed from the starters right through to the advanced designs. This selection will come with a large case as well. [+ Templates + Practice Kit]
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Save room for Dessert! A hand screened, 2 color "Open Locksport" t-shirt and a bunch of other Open Locksport shwag. Temporary Tattoos? Absolutely! Stickers? Heck yes! And more! [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks]
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Custom Kit & Full access to me! My Mother, who did all of the prototyping for the pick cases, will make you a custom, hand made pick case to your specifications, including any illustration or dedication you may want. Additionally, you'll be given everything I've ever written or recorded on the subject of Locks & get 3 hours of Skype time with me to ask questions, discuss locks, run demos, whatever you want. [+ Templates + Practice Kit + 20 Picks + Shwag]
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Lock Library! 50 Locks of various types, including pin tumblers, wafers, levers, and dial & sesame combo locks. 30 individual picks and the full set of 20 in a case. You'll also get handcuffs and a cutaway pin tumbler to help explain how they work. You'll also get all of the shwag of the $100 level! Great for new clubs and hackerspaces.
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Uber Lock Library! Everything in the Lock Library times 2! 100 locks! 60 individual picks! 2 full sets of 20 in cases! 2 different sets of handcuffs and a 2 cutaways! One of a pin-tumbler lock, one of the locking mechanism in handcuffs! In addition to all of this I'll send you training materials. Nicely illustrated guides to lockpicking, impressioning, bumping, overlifting, etc. etc! I can guarantee 10 different reproducible worksheets and I'm hoping to do 20+!
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Physical classroom! I fly to you! I'll bring the picks, locks, handcuffs, combo locks, cutaways, high security locks, and, most importantly, the knowledge, to run 2 days of classes for as many people you like. You let me know how many people I can expect and your nearest airport and I'll do the rest. Great for Colleges & Universities, Hackerspaces w/large membership, offices or law enforcement! (This offer open to continental US only. If you are outside of the US & want to subsidize the airfare, we can talk!)
Project By
Connected as Schuyler Towne (736 friends)
I'm a competitive lockpicker and graphic designer based out of Boston, MA. I am one of the fastest pickers in the country and compete internationally as well. I have been featured for my lockpicking on All Things Considered, the Boston Globe and even a show on the History Channel.
I'll be at DefCon... volunteering in the LPV I hope to get to see your talk!! (why do we always meet in Vegas?)
I'm also interested in DIY NDE! If you have vids, posting them would be awesome of you!
it was a good talk, it was taped by the official DefCon camera, and there was some media there filming as well.
Hopefully at least one of them becomes available to post. (the DefCon one, gets put into a compilation of all the talks and is sold to attendees, and might be subject to rights)
Thanks Schuyler!!