Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles; site trsvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!trsvax!mikey From: mikey@trsvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Re:My first flame ; and last I hope - (nf) Message-ID: <55300023@trsvax.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Jun-84 17:47:00 EDT Article-I.D.: trsvax.55300023 Posted: Tue Jun 12 17:47:00 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 15-Jun-84 00:15:08 EDT References: <678@ut-ngp.UUCP> Lines: 33 Nf-ID: #R:ut-ngp:-67800:trsvax:55300023:000:1590 Nf-From: trsvax!mikey Jun 12 16:47:00 1984 #R:ut-ngp:-67800:trsvax:55300023:000:1590 trsvax!mikey Jun 12 16:47:00 1984 Whether you call them "hackers" or not, or even if they deserve the title, you are talking about a qualitative term. However, I think the issue is pointing at the division of computer tourist vs. computer terrorist. Granted, illegal use of an account is unjustified, and the person responsible should take steps to insure that it does not continue, but I would not lable every tourist or transient user a 'Hacker" either. Along this line, I also admit that most of the computer terrorist are prime examples of a little knowledge is dangerous. These assholes do have one good point, it probably is a desire to learn that drives them on. But like mindless animal or the Catholic church during the dark ages, they smash and destroy what they can't understand. I'm not really for strict penalties for computer breakins, just that the defendant, if found guilty, should be held accountable for his actions. If the 414s had to pay for the lost computer time at Sloan-Kettering, or the BBS operators were held liable for account numbers KNOWINGLY on there systems, the law might be a little fairer. A side flame, I saw a special on one of the late night news shows after the 414 incident and they interviewed the Woz. I don't remember the exact words but I instantly lost what respect I had for the guy when he made statements to the effect that he encouraged this kind of behavior from teenagers, and that he would hire them. I guess it is all summed up by the line in Wargames when the kid said that he was under 18. If you can get away with it, Why Not? mikey at trsvax