whew! you were scaring me there!My attitude is tha...

2007-05-29T16:07:00.000-04:00

whew! you were scaring me there!
My attitude is that these are free public airwaves and the business owner's neglect does not amount to a crime on the user's part.

There's an extensive conversation about this going on at digg...

No, I was actually just thinking that the punishme...

2007-05-29T15:43:00.000-04:00

No, I was actually just thinking that the punishment was awfully harsh when I reread your post again now (I glossed over the felony part). That is a lot of punishment for "wifi theft" - which makes me think that maybe there is more to the story - like Al Capone getting busted only for tax fraud. If all he was doing was getting internet, seems like a fine and restitution would be appropriate.

I've probably already beaten this horse to death, ...

2007-05-29T12:03:00.000-04:00

I've probably already beaten this horse to death, but can't help it.
Steph are you saying that the punishment for "stealing" a wifi signal is appropriate? That the crime is equivalent to other felonies such as treason, racketeering, robbery, murder, rape, etc.? That this is a legitimate use of police time, tax dollars, and government regulation?
I'm boggled by the concept of

There was a sign at my park (but the $ taking stat...

2007-05-29T11:12:00.000-04:00

There was a sign at my park (but the $ taking station was closed and locked) and there was probably also a sign on the coffee shop that said "wifi hotspot" which generally means that it is meant for customers, which this guy wasn't. He just used their parking and their wifi without bothering to pay. Did he know it was a crime? Clearly not. But, I'll bet he knew that he was taking advantage.<

I think the thing here is that the guy could have ...

2007-05-28T14:16:00.000-04:00

I think the thing here is that the guy could have been charged with a felony for the technological equivalent of tuning in a radio station.

And how is the consumer supposed to know whose signal he's getting? In many cities there are efforts to provide free wireless bubbles over the city. So say someone tunes in to the wrong network, gets a purportedly "private" one instead of the

Also, check into the actual rates to use wifi in S...

2007-05-28T12:02:00.000-04:00

Also, check into the actual rates to use wifi in Starbucks...
True, this wasn't a Starbucks, but I would argue that they set an economic standard by which other coffee shop will justify their wifi rates.

Then again I'm a 'leftist utopian' type who would be pleased to see a situation where homeless and poor (college students), anyone can tap into all the net has to offer, once they

True, but I'll bet there was a sign that said "ple...

2007-05-28T10:55:00.000-04:00

True, but I'll bet there was a sign that said "please pay $1 to use the park."

Why not just buy some damn coffee now and then?Yes...

2007-05-28T10:52:00.000-04:00

Why not just buy some damn coffee now and then?

Yes, the wifi was just out there but so was the park I ran through before it opened but I still left my $1 just the same.

Jesus, this is scary, I had no idea it was a crime...

2007-05-26T21:23:00.000-04:00

Jesus, this is scary, I had no idea it was a crime. Is it a crime to drink out of a stream if you don't want bottled watered? Secure your network if you want to insure making a profit on it, asshole owners of coffee shop. Hacking is one thing, plucking unsecured signal out of the ether another.
Another example of elietist bullshit in our culture: only those who can afford to pay can enjoy

Hey There Jasonaut,Thanks for writing nice things ...

2007-05-26T09:36:00.000-04:00

Hey There Jasonaut,

Thanks for writing nice things about my stories. I take it you live in Atlanta. Well, so do I. Now that's funny.

Comments on jasonaut : foolish mortal: File under stupid