Collecting, Hacking and the Spooks (was: Gulf War, dummies,

From: vance_at_neurotica.com <(vance_at_neurotica.com)>
Date: Tue Feb 4 21:58:04 2003

On Tue, 4 Feb 2003, Zane H. Healy wrote:

> > > Now, are those of us in the US to be considered criminals because we
> > > collect, build and hack all sorts of computer and electronics
> > > equipment as a harmless hobby (or is the knowledge and ability to do
> > > this now considered dangerous by our elected idiots, since they
> > > obviously lack the ability to think intelligently about anything?)?
> >
> > Well, given that the DCMA is a standing U.S. federal law, you can
> > probably answer that question yourself. But basically, the Sears
> > repairman was right; didn't you know that it's a federal crime to try
> > to understand those systems you're collecting?
>
> What I've been wondering about is, how long before we start setting off
> alarms in some Government agency due to our abnormally high use of
> electricity? Or due to the abnormally high level of heat in area's of
> our home?

Back when I used an ES/9000 in my parents house, I managed to attract the
attention of the law. There were two DEA agents from the local office
with one of the local sheriff's deputys with him. They showed up and
asked me if I was growing marijuana. I said something to the effect of,
"What gave you that idea?" They showed me a report from the power
company. I laughed and told them to come look for themselves. They were
quite unprepared for the size of my computer, I can tell you that. 8-)

Peace... Sridhar
Received on Tue Feb 04 2003 - 21:58:04 GMT