And if he was smart enough to create such worms at age 17 he was smart enough to comprehend the damage they could cause.
I'm surprised no one has pointed this out yet, but just because the boy is a skilled coder, he doesn't necessarily understand what he is causing. He may be smart enough to write a worm, but this doesn't say anything about his ability to see the consequences of his actions. There is difference between being intelligent and having common sense.
Personally, I think the kid got what he deserved, nothing more or less.
I'm not so sure about that... Even if, for example, DELL started offering Linux as an alternative, most people would probably stick with what they know, MS Windows. Sure, the market share of Linux would increase, but I don't think it would be widely used by your average consumer.
For that to happen, one of the big OEMs would probably have to really push Linux, make sure it becomes an important factor in their marketing... (just imagine DELL offering Linux PCs, with Windows XP available as an alternative for an additional $200... this would probably work better than the other way around).
Better yet, be smart enough to choose software that works on both platforms from the beginning on, giving you much less trouble should you decide to switch later on (for whatever reason).
I agree with some of the points you are making (influence in politics based on personal wealth etc), but do you not think that your last sentence is taking this more than just a few steps too far? I mean, c'mon... take your tinfoil-hat off...
To those of you speaking german, I can only recommend the Spiegel-Article linked on groklaw. It's quite a nice overview imho (don't expect too many details or all the other stuff you are being fed here - Der Spiegel is pretty much mainstream).
Yes, it would be great thing if this sh*t got rejected. But even though it kinda looks like it atm, I'm still worried. Also, I don't think supporters of this crap will give up so easy...
Well, it really seems like a knee-jerk reaction. After all, we were all told to be aware of guys with knifes and wear protective vests several months up front.
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And if he was smart enough to create such worms at age 17 he was smart enough to comprehend the damage they could cause.
I'm surprised no one has pointed this out yet, but just because the boy is a skilled coder, he doesn't necessarily understand what he is causing. He may be smart enough to write a worm, but this doesn't say anything about his ability to see the consequences of his actions. There is difference between being intelligent and having common sense. Personally, I think the kid got what he deserved, nothing more or less.
Like I said, there are weirdos everywhere... be happy to be one of them ;-)
we don't eat much sauerkraut. That's what Germans do.
No, we don't. Well, at least most of us don't - you couldn't force me to eat that crap. But there are weirdos everywhere...
I'm not so sure about that... Even if, for example, DELL started offering Linux as an alternative, most people would probably stick with what they know, MS Windows. Sure, the market share of Linux would increase, but I don't think it would be widely used by your average consumer. For that to happen, one of the big OEMs would probably have to really push Linux, make sure it becomes an important factor in their marketing... (just imagine DELL offering Linux PCs, with Windows XP available as an alternative for an additional $200... this would probably work better than the other way around).
Better yet, be smart enough to choose software that works on both platforms from the beginning on, giving you much less trouble should you decide to switch later on (for whatever reason).
This will seriously hamper the opensource community, something I have serious respect for.
Seriously, man, you can't be serious.
More importantly will this help raise awareness for alternatives (GNU/Linux & Apple)?
No. Why should it? I can't really follow you there...
I agree with some of the points you are making (influence in politics based on personal wealth etc), but do you not think that your last sentence is taking this more than just a few steps too far? I mean, c'mon... take your tinfoil-hat off...
To those of you speaking german, I can only recommend the Spiegel-Article linked on groklaw. It's quite a nice overview imho (don't expect too many details or all the other stuff you are being fed here - Der Spiegel is pretty much mainstream).
Yes, it would be great thing if this sh*t got rejected. But even though it kinda looks like it atm, I'm still worried. Also, I don't think supporters of this crap will give up so easy...
N is the best game I have played in a very long time. Beat every single level... Glad to see I'm not the one who seriously plays it.
Well, it really seems like a knee-jerk reaction. After all, we were all told to be aware of guys with knifes and wear protective vests several months up front.
Everyday, Longhorn seems to be more like XP with a new look. Well, what did you expect?
telephone spyware? like, say, telemarketers?