1st. Actually I'm very active in my son's life. In computers I take the time to test his code, offer sugestions, and back away and not to give out all the answers. I also post his code on my cork board at work.
2nd. I don't know Linux, nor am I a part of this movement. I am a programer and a net admin. Solaris I know. I know nothing about this grand movement because most of my time is taken up by earning a buck for my family. But I do support support this movement. My own computer I prefer somthing a touch more stable, and I do develop for Solaris afterall. I'm all for free open source, just my time ain't free. I have that choice. My software costs money.
3rd, being a programer I know a little bit about issues like this. At no point did my son use any materials copyrighted by Digital Convergence. My son infact after showing his the EULA, took it upon him self to put the disk in the microwave.
4rd, I respect my son enough to respect his own personal space, but know when to get involved. I would get involved if he was downloading naked pictures of Captain Kangeroo (I am a net admin after all). I was involved enough to tell him that he couldn't sign away his right to privacy to Digital Convergence.
5th, my son does know the diffrence between right and wrong. He knows it's inapproperate to copy someone elses work, but is ok to use someone elses work as an example.
I am fortunate enough to have developed a relationship with my son of respect, and equality. I learn from him just as much as he learns from me. It's so sad that you find it hard to believe that a parent can love and understand their child.
As far as this Digital Convergence issue goes, when a grown man contacts a minor though the internet across state lines, some serious federal laws have been broken. [in barney speak} yuk yuk, can you name them all?!??!
My son, age 7, has been playing with the CueCat decoder under BSD, and published his own work on his web page. Here is my responce to the:Sick:cats.
ceo@digitalconvergence.com, ddavis@digitalconvergence.com, ontheweb@usatoday.com, malda@slashdot.org, jrosini@kenyon.com
Dear Digital Convergence.
My son is one of many people who have developed software to make use of the:CueCat device that your company is presently giving away. And he is one of many people who have been issued warning by your lawyers.
Given that my son is age 7, it really strikes me as offensive, and actually most illegal for Digital Convergence, Radio Shack, or anyone to give out his personal information without MY express written consent. Neither I or my son have entered into any agreement with Digital Convergence in any way shape or form, nor do we have any present plans to.
Second, my son is the exclusive copyright holder of his own work, and for any company to threaten this is violating his own intellectual property rights. Should Digital Convergence with to enter into any sort of agreement with my son in regards to his software, it would be most appropriate to negotiate, rather than threaten. At present his license is, "free for non-commercial use'. At present, Digital Convergence has no license to use his works.
My son's programming and electronic projects are not the business of Radio Shack, Digital Convergence, or Kenyon & Kenyon. You are not authorized to contact him or any reason. John Pennington is a minor, and is protected under Washington State Law. You are not authorized to view, use, distribute, his work without his express written consent. And such use is a violation of his EULA, and any attempt to violate his or my rights will result is prosecution.
Should you wish to protect your property, I would recommend a Patent. Should you wish to protect your software, I'd recommend a copyright. Should you wish to threaten my son, I'd recommend jail.
I know nothing about linux your your movement, but I don't want my son harrased for playing with his new toy. How do they get off telling my son what do to.
Thank you for your time.
G.P.
Slashdot Mirror
1st. Actually I'm very active in my son's life. In computers I take the time to test his code, offer sugestions, and back away and not to give out all the answers. I also post his code on my cork board at work.
2nd. I don't know Linux, nor am I a part of this movement. I am a programer and a net admin. Solaris I know. I know nothing about this grand movement because most of my time is taken up by earning a buck for my family. But I do support support this movement. My own computer I prefer somthing a touch more stable, and I do develop for Solaris afterall. I'm all for free open source, just my time ain't free. I have that choice. My software costs money.
3rd, being a programer I know a little bit about issues like this. At no point did my son use any materials copyrighted by Digital Convergence. My son infact after showing his the EULA, took it upon him self to put the disk in the microwave.
4rd, I respect my son enough to respect his own personal space, but know when to get involved. I would get involved if he was downloading naked pictures of Captain Kangeroo (I am a net admin after all). I was involved enough to tell him that he couldn't sign away his right to privacy to Digital Convergence.
5th, my son does know the diffrence between right and wrong. He knows it's inapproperate to copy someone elses work, but is ok to use someone elses work as an example.
I am fortunate enough to have developed a relationship with my son of respect, and equality. I learn from him just as much as he learns from me. It's so sad that you find it hard to believe that a parent can love and understand their child.
As far as this Digital Convergence issue goes, when a grown man contacts a minor though the internet across state lines, some serious federal laws have been broken. [in barney speak} yuk yuk, can you name them all?!??!