For those who wish to assist Foggy with screenshots etc of the ongoing WND libel issues, here is a suggested checklist to attempt to ensure any such information is as usuable as possible.
The primary principles are that the data has to have as inviolate a form as well as demonstrable proof of WHO, WHAT, WHEN and WHERE the data was created.
We need to ensure the data is time stamped correctly, has a record of creation, a method of showing the record has not been changed, has a record of where the data went from -> to and is in a "frozen" inviolate state.
How
you want to grab the images is up to you, this is purely a checklist to assist in showing the data has not been tampered with
1. Check your PC and ensure it has the correct date and time set
2. Create a folder/directory on your computer that will be used as a holding area ONLY for this work
3. Download and intall an application that will create a digital fingerprint of the image or document created. This will be what is known as a "hash" or "digest" and is a unique digital fingerprint of the record AT THE MOMENT OF CREATION OF THE HASH. The two general types to use are called an MD-5 or SHA-1 hash. I would suggest a freeware/shareware version, they all use the same underpinned algorithm
(Suggested application
http://download.cnet.com/MD5-SHA-1-Chec ... torsreview)
You will end up with the original file and a long alphanumberic number that you copy to a text file and store with the original screen-shotted file. If any changes of any type are made to the original, when the hash is run again it will be different. This will be able to demonstrate that no changes have been to the original since the creation of the hash
4. PREFERABLY, once the screen shot has been captured and hashed you should burn a copy of both files to a CD. This will freeze the records in a Read Only format and will also assist in preventing accidental deletion etc as well as seperate your personal data from what may be used in a court case. It will also be far simpler to send to whoever requires it, if it should be needed. If you do not wish to burn to a CD, at the least create a clean folder/directory on your computer to store ONLY the data and hashes.
5. Record ALL ACTIONS. Print up the checklist and list what you did and when, hard copy will be acceptable although ideally in a sequentially numbered book in that case.
What you did, where you did it, what actions you performed and the date and time. This will assist in obviating any questions about the actions and validity of the data possibly months later. If you wish to do this electronically, again no problems just make sure that when you have finished the record , same steps as for screenshots.
6. Once you have completed any screenshots, made hashes etc and you will be making no more, make at least one copy of the CD (if you have used one) and store both in a CD holder (scratches on CD's are not your friend)
7. If asked to send the data to another party, DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL, make a copy and send the copy.
Any other questions please feel free to PM me.
(edited for stoopid, forgot "create work area")