Georgia vs McOwen - IT'S OVER FOLKS!

[newpanama]

I am glad to see Mr. McOwen is through with his ordeal. I don't believe criminal charges were necessary, the dismissal should have been sufficient. However, I do believe that Mr. McOwen should not have loaded the software on the university computers. As an IT professional myself, one should know better than to use company equipment for things such as this. Regardless of when the processing was to be performed.

 

[Scootin159]

I'm glad to see this get front-page coverage. Now maybe more people will be aware of the stupidity of this whole ordeal.

 

[WageSlave]

Is there anyway we can inconvienence or annoy the people that did this to him?

 

[Rainsford]

You know what the problem is? Our government, our companies, and just about everything else for that matter, are run by people without the slightest understanding of computers. I'm sure we've all seen time and time again how our bosses and elected reps make policies and laws that have very little to do with the reality of computers. This case is a perfect example. The prosecutor probably thought of it in terms of "Some guy installed software he didn't have approval for on some computers that he didn't own." The prosecutor probably didn't even think about what exactly the software did, not only because it wasn't important, but because he (or was it a she?) didn't have enough knowledge to see the difference between good and bad software.

I'm not saying that us computer guys and girls should run everything, that would be just as stupid. I have no idea how to write laws, and I don't try and write laws. It just seems stupid beyond belief that these politicians and managers try and make decisions dealing with technology without having any knowledge of the issues. Just ask someone that does understand it, most of us are more than happy to share our knowledge.

My roomate just saw this post as I was writing it and said that the issue isn't just limited to computers and technology. He said that the government is run by people that don't really understand anything that they do. All they understand is politics and how to get re-elected. The government was probably trying to be "tough on hackers" because, to the ignorant, this case could look like that.

Oh well, I'm just glad this case is over. But I'm certain it won't be the last stupid case like this as long as our politicians and managers operate under the theory that they can understand anything because they have some power. Idiots.

 

[Rainsford]

<< Is there anyway we can inconvienence or annoy the people that did this to him? >>



I'd like to say something positive...but the reality is...no. We could probably mess with Georgia's computer systems, but that would be illegal. As far as legal things go, if you live in Georgia, just don't vote for anyone that was involved in this. But we're too small a minority to do anything since the majority of voters don't know about this, and even if they did they wouldn't understand it.

 

[DanC]

<< But we're too small a minority to do anything >>



Don't believe THAT for a minute. :Q

With concentrated effort, and using the power and connections we have, we most assuredly can and WILL have an effect on the outcome of elections. That's the whole point. We should never succumb to the notion that there aren't enough of us, or that we don't have the power. We have ALL the power.

 

[HayesE]

<< I am glad to see Mr. McOwen is through with his ordeal. I don't believe criminal charges were necessary, the dismissal should have been sufficient. However, I do believe that Mr. McOwen should not have loaded the software on the university computers. As an IT professional myself, one should know better than to use company equipment for things such as this. Regardless of when the processing was to be performed. >>



Werd. I guess I'm a black sheep concerning this issue as well. Bottom line is that this guy stupidly used govt. resources for possible financial gain. RC5 is after all a contest that awards sums of money as a prize. That fact alone holds presidence over every other argument for and against McOwen's troubles.

 

[Rainsford]

<<

<< But we're too small a minority to do anything >>



Don't believe THAT for a minute. :Q

With concentrated effort, and using the power and connections we have, we most assuredly can and WILL have an effect on the outcome of elections. That's the whole point. We should never succumb to the notion that there aren't enough of us, or that we don't have the power. We have ALL the power. >>



You might be right. In any case, even if we don't have enough power right now, I guess we should still all try because over time we can become the majority.

 

[DanC]

HayesE,

While I respect your right to your opinion, you are way off base. David's motives were not financially oriented. That has been made abundantly clear.

While it makes for an interesting ethics discussion in a classroom setting - it's a long way from a crime.
People have routinely made the assumption that he did not have permission. That is a mistaken assumption.

He had permission. They lied - and said he didn't. They lied about the plea agreement - saying it was offered all along.
So - do you believe everything the government tells you? {warning, warning Will Robinson, danger}

It's a big case with a lot of information - and you may not have been aware of the permission issue. It's been beaten to death.
Regardless of how you might feel about some of the fabricated pieces of this story, the felony charges were ludicrous, heavy-handed, and politically motivated. It's not as simple as many would make it. You're proceeding from the false assumption that the government is a kind, and benevolent entity. That assumption would be terribly naieve.

We've had our share of flame-wars over the issue. It's done now, and David can move on with his life. Whether you embrace the activity without reservation doesn't change the fact that he's been financially destroyed by this thing. The law is supposed to include "justice." The "permission" issue is far from erasing the need to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The statute itself is so broad that it gives prosecutorial discretion to the government. That's what it's been about.

Let's also not forget that our kind, benevolent government slugs were not only caught lying a number of times, but violating the GCSPA themselves. So, will they be prosecuted? I kinda doubt it. Classic example of "do what I say, not as I do."

 

[Rainsford]

<< ...Let's also not forget that our kind, benevolent government slugs were not only caught lying a number of times, but violating the GCSPA themselves. So, will they be prosecuted? I kinda doubt it. Classic example of "do what I say, not as I do." >>



Too true, too true. There was a policical cartoon in the local paper where a bunch of senators are grilling an Enron executive and one them says, "Cooking the books! Passwing off phony-baloney numbers as the truth! Do you realize what you could be charged with?" And the Enron executive answeres, "Impersonating a congressman?"

Not that government hypocracy is anything new. How about the fact that many, many, members of our government use their positions to help companies that give them campaign money while ignoring the needs of actual voters? Or how about using their positions of power to have sex with their interns? Yeah, what a great bunch of people we have running our government. Oh well, maybe I'll run for president some day on the platform of, "Are you tired of all these lowlife, bloodsucking, idiotic hypocritical parasites?" On second thought, maybe that's not such a good idea.

 

[AluminumStudios]

The lawsuit was definitly way out of scale and pretty rediculous.

I've worked in academic computing at a small college and a large Univeristy and common sense tells me not to dare try anything like that.

It was wrong of them to try and prosecute you to such an extent. It also wasn't a very wise decision installing the client everywhere like you did.

 

[Agent004]

Just glad for the guy that this ordeal is finished

 

[Valis]

How do I make a paypal donation the best way, and what type of payment am I allowed to use; (service, auction - non-Auction or that dreaded Quasi-cash? ).

I just wanna make sure we all get the most of it. Cus if I help him now, maybe someone will help me one day if needed, right guys?

 

[RaySun2Be]

Donations via pay-pal can be made to: dmcowen@bellsouth.net

Checks, Credit Cards, etc - can be sent to his Attorney:

Kenney & Solomon
ATTN: Tracy McAndrew, Office Manager
3675 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 110
Duluth, GA 30096

770.564.1600

Be sure to indicate "David McOwen Defense Fund"

I just used Quasi-cash.

<Cus if I help him now, maybe someone will help me one day if needed, right guys?>
Why, Are you planning on doing something that requires help?........

It's always nice to know that there are people that will help you in time of need.

 

[Valis]

<<
<Cus if I help him now, maybe someone will help me one day if needed, right guys?>
Why, Are you planning on doing something that requires help?........

It's always nice to know that there are people that will help you in time of need. >>





Umm I already did, I installed Seti on all computers in the room designed for educational purposes,
which in this case was nothing, no one thought it was a nuisance or somekind of a problem. But
then I did a small "installation" that made me lose my job.

Takes one to know one huh?

 

[CurtOien]

Valis,

<< I did a small "installation" that made me lose my job. >>

Please tell details.

 

[Assimilator1]

DMCowen

Thanks for the link ,tried to listen to interview but I couldn't get it to work ,what player do I need?

 

[SaigonK]

I for one say this is a double edged sword...of course I am ready for the wonderful backlash I will get for my opinion.

That he did not go to jail is a good thing, no doubt about it.
But any IT guy knows, you dont install third party software on your PC's..it's that simple.
I don't care what comes in rebuttals, it will be harsh..but think about it...RC5 is NOT meant for the business place, they are not YOUR pc's. You took the liberty of doing it and so face the consequences.. Now how they dealt with this is going WAY beyond what needed to happen, heck a simple "please rmeove that software it is against the policies of this company" would have sufficed!


Again, glad to see you got out ok...but a lessorn learned? ? ??

 

[poopaskoopa]

Saigon K,
My understanding is that he had the permission to install the software(that's not what the prosecutors said, I realize), which makes this all the more depressing.

 

[Assimilator1]

SaigonK
Read DanC's previous post ,he states in there that Dave DID have permission.
Otherwise there is nothing flame worthy in your post

 

[hojl]

I haven't read all this thread...
But I am just wondering WHAT KIND OF GOD FORSAKEN COLLEGE IS THIS????
what they didn't get enough in tuition or something??
also what kind of lame ass fresh out of Law school DA goes through with this..

 

[networkman]

>> also what kind of lame ass...DA goes through with this..

Why, the kind from the State of Georgia. :disgust:

 

[trax]

Dave, I am so glad this is over for you. I still believe that the penalties are too stiff, but if that's what it took to get you out of this hellish nightmare, then so be it.

One this is for certain after this whole ordeal: I am never, EVER moving to the state of Georgia. :Q Good luck in getting your life back on track.

 

[JWMiddleton]

<< I am never, EVER moving to the state of Georgia. >>


Good, it is too crowded here already!

 

[Scuttle]

Congrats Dave!