David McOwen trial outcome: remember that DC case?

[CraigRT]

<< Last year, the Tennessee Valley Authority banned the SETI@home program from its computers, declaring it a risk to computer security. >>



i'd like to take this time to LMAO... farking idiots...

 

[Cooltech2k]

That Is Good News....

 

[BooneRebel]

<<
konichiwa,

Why do you find it necessary to crap in a celebratory thread?

AnandTech Moderator


911paramedic,

Perhaps it hasn't seeped in to your brain that many people read without posting. Not everyone feels compelled to post for no other reason then their count.

AnandTech Moderator >>



I think this thread has been visited by the 'woke up on the wrong side of the bed' mod.

 

[Balt]

<<I think this thread has been visited by the 'woke up on the wrong side of the bed' mod.>>

In my opinion, those comments were well-justified. konichiwa was just asking to be flamed for his moronic statement, and 911paramedic apparently has some desire to be able to fit one more 'BABE PICS HERE!!!!!!!!" thread on the front page of OT.

Personally, I think the fact that someone's (and his family's) life was almost completely ruined and then having it all come out (relatively) okay in the end is worth a damn sticky. Especially when you consider the rests of the crap posted here. I'm disgusted that two people are so ready to thread crap and/or shove this aside like it's not of any importance. (This disgust is not directed towards you, Boone )

By the way, here's are some comments from David (taken from DC thread) for those that didn't see them:

" Just as Russ just said, I am trying to type through tears. Donna couldn't get off work today as this was a last minute change to an earlier date but all wanted to move the date sooner than later but I had my Dad by my side, my late Mom holding me in spirit and everyone here and around the world at my side as well. I have so many people to thank here and around the world. I too am now going to clear my eyes and nose and cook dinner for Donna as she is on her way home.

This was no small miracle Wiz.

All of you, yours truly forever,

David McOwen "


If that's not worthy of a sticky I don't know what is.

 

[darkjester]

<< <<I think this thread has been visited by the 'woke up on the wrong side of the bed' mod.>>
In my opinion, those comments were well-justified. konichiwa was just asking to be flamed for his moronic statement, and 911paramedic apparently has some desire to be able to fit one more 'BABE PICS HERE!!!!!!!!" thread on the front page of OT.
Personally, I think the fact that someone's (and his family's) life was almost completely ruined and then having it all come out (relatively) okay in the end is worth a damn sticky. Especially when you consider the rests of the crap posted here. I'm disgusted that two people are so ready to thread crap and/or shove this aside like it's not of any importance. (This disgust is not directed towards you, Boone ) >>


I don't think it could have been said any better. Kudos to you and the mods! And, of course, I'm happy for Dave and thankful that he's at home with his loved ones, not locked up somewhere.

 

[Jeff7]

That punishment is still too much. He installed something that has less potential for damage than MS Word or AOL IM! Both have more potential for introducing viruses to the computer network. RC5 or SETI@Home clients do nothing like that; they consume resources - when a computer is idle.
A year probation - too much. A fine? FOR WHAT?????? 80 hours community service - community service is fine, but not when it is forced.
A supervisor should have said, "Don't install things on the computers without permission," and that should have been the end of it. Damn morons are running too much of the government.:|

 

[Wingnut]

I am so happy for you Dave!

You and your family have been in my prayers ever since this incident and it seems they have been answered, although in a way that seems a little harsh but, having your freedom back is very good news indeed!

We are so fortunate to have foundations like the EFF and Lee Tien who can put into easy terms to these underinformed idiots in government exactly what distributed computing entails.

Hang in there Dave...probation sucks I'm sure but, you can get through it buddy!

I'm drinking a six pack in honor of your great outcome as I write this!

CHEERS to you and your family!

 

[lesch2k]

congrats

probation still sucks,

in response to security issues raised above, you are all right, there was no risk, however the people in charge had to have something to say and they couldnt say the client is banned because it does nothing.

in the end the lawyers made rules regarding computers they couldnt understand, escept for the deffense that is.

 

[OrByte]

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said...I am happy as heck that David has got thru this ordeal relatively unscathed. I am just a a poor guy from California, but when I found out about this story taking place I too made my feelings known to the Georgian members of congress and the georgian state government via e-mails....I knew nothing of David as most of us here he was just a name in an unfortunate situation. But now, seeing this as a victory for Dave and for geeks like us around the world I feel a little better knowing that if enough of us get together and work for something...good things can happen. Congrats to everyone here as well as to the McOwen family....you all did an outstanding job!!

 

[eZEKIEL]

good to see he is not going to jail, still, $2100 is a lot of money for a man who has left 2 jobs in a row.

 

[fatalbert]

great news!! glad to see that it turned out ok

 

[rbV5]

Right On!

I feel Dave and his family suffered way too much for this already, the punishment far too severe, but I'm sure a great weight has been lifted from him and those around him. Good luck Dave!

 

[BoberFett]

It's too bad things went this far, but I'm glad it's over for you Dave.

I hope the donations you recieved covered most of your legal bills and the fine.

 

[Alligator]

<< David McOwen trial outcome: remember that DC case? >>


without reading any responses here to be swayed....
yes, initial punishment too harsh.

the geeks here will say "no way"
i am not one of them.
he should get something, taking up company resources without authorization.
too bad.

 

[pulse8]

<< without reading any responses here to be swayed.... >>



Maybe you should've read the responses because then you'd know that you're not the first one to post that.

 

[Alligator]

<<

<< without reading any responses here to be swayed.... >>


Maybe you should've read the responses because then you'd know that you're not the first one to post that. >>



well, whoophee freaking do

i am not with the majority. what do I declare myself. pacifist? communist?

big deal

this guy did something he shouldn't. he got caught.

too bad.

 

[dmcowen674]

Hi Everyone,

I'm sorry I did not post here in ATOT sooner, my self and Donna just saw the thread yesterday. My Dad was here until yesterday as well and here is an article by Wired.com that came out today by Andy Patrizio that he interviewed with me on Monday. Distributed's New Word: Please
, he wrote in the article our heartfelt thanks to everyone here in Anandtech as well as around the world.

God Bless you all,

David, Donna and family

 

[Nemesis77]

Congratulations David ! I'm happy that this ordeal is behind you, and you (and your family) don't have to suffer anymore because of this.

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I think this punishment is way to high, they should be paying him, and doing work for him for what they put him through. O well, least he didn't get into to much trouble.

 

[kulki]

COngrats David. I am glad you got off with something which is reasonable. Its still too harsh, but atleast much better than what was being threatened

 

[Lucky]

Good luck on your book David. Im happy this is over for you.

 

[Miramonti]

*edit* ooops I didn't see he posted!

Way to go Dave! The way you hung in there is inspiring and its awesome to see you free. The whole charges were sureal to me and I wasn't even involved... many blessings.

 

[RaySun2Be]

Thanks for the link to that article, Dave, it helped explain some of the charges and statements they made, and as we thought, they had no CLUE as to what they were investigating, or even how to come up with a reasonable amount for "damages" (there wasn't any)!

And I'm so glad that the ordeal has been resolved.

 

[oneye]

.-)

finally the beginning of a semblance of peace for this tortured man

 

[dmcowen674]

Hi everyone in ATOT,

Thank you one and all for all your well wishes, prayers and support through all this. Each and everyone of you absolutely made all the difference of being able to survive this ordeal.

God Bless

PS - Here is a link to an interview out today from a publication online and weekly newspaper that goes out to just about every school and world wide as well. David Mcowen Interview on Chronicle.com 1-28-2002

Also there is an interview on the BBC on a show they call GO DIGITAL.

David McOwen