Re: [MLUG] Looking 4 mad cheap PCI wireless cards

["Christian M. Cepel" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mike Miller wrote:

> This is also what I am thinking - they can prosecute people for what 
> they *do*.  Guessing that the password is 'linksys' is doing 
> something, and could be a criminal act (as ridiculous as that seems), 
> but simply telling your computer to connect to an open network is 
> barely an act at all. 

Don't be foolish.  This ia a question of 'Preknowledge' and you 
certainly well know it.

You know full well if you have 'rights to a network'.   If you have 
'rights' then you have been granted them by the owner along with the 
information necessary to 'access'  the network.

If you type in that information and you access a network, then you are 
allowed to assume that you have rights on that network (within the 
reasonable area the network may be expected to cover... I.e.,  if you go 
to Florida and your 'TigerNet' & UMC 128b WepKey grant you access to a 
network, then you aren't within your rights on that network.  You have 
reasonable knowledge that UMC doesn't operate in Florida).

If you are out of the vicinity of a network you have rights to, and 
suddenly your computer is has internet access, then you are acting 
outside of your rights, and it is your IMMEDIATE responsibility to 
VACATE the network ASAP.

The responsibility is not on the network provider... It's on the user.   
You have a responsibility to do all you can to the best of your 
abilities and knowledge to only connect to networks where you have rights.

It's like going to a concert and having tickets.

Your ticket gives you absolute rights to a particular seat.  Just 
because another one is open closer to the stage... (OR even way up in 
the nosebleed section) and there seems to be no monitoring going on, 
doesn't mean you have ANY RIGHTS WHATSOEVER to utilize one of those open 
seats.

> Besides, what reason do we have to think that the owner of the wifi 
> access point doesn't want people to use his network?
>
This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard anyone on this list say.  
Until you've surveyed each user, you've no right to assume EITHER WAY.   
Actually.... You  can and have a right  AND RESPONSIBILITY to assume 
that they don't want you using their network.  THIS IS DUMB DUMB DUMB.

Just because I leave my windows down and my doors unlocked and my keys 
in the ignition of my car in the street in front of my house doesn't 
mean that you don't have any particular reason to think that I don't 
want you to drive it.  On the contrary.  Despite all this.... YOU'RE 
GOING TO JAIL.  You've committed grand theft auto, and the judge will 
just laugh at you if you make the stupid argument that you just tried to 
make above.

> Using a Pringles can to find wireless networks is a different story, 
> but it isn't much different.  If someone threatened to prosecute me 
> for doing that, I would argue that I am only trying to take advantage 
> of what people are making available to me.  If people leave their 
> network wide open, I would think they are trying to share 

And you would lose and be prosecuted (if the action is indeed illegal, 
as it should be).   And no you wouldn't think they are trying to share.  
This is a lie.  You know it.  I know it, anyone who reads your post 
knows it.  Its indefensible.

> their network with their neighbors. Why not participate?  We know that 
> people do leave these things open 

The burden IS ON YOU to ascertain their wishes.

> intentionally.  Anyone who read his router documentation would know 
> what he has done.  So how can it be a crime to partake?
>
Hedonistic rubbish.

> Mike
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-- 

|Christian Marcus Cepel           | And the wrens have returned &
EMAIL:PROTECTED icq:12384980 | are nesting; In the hollow of
371 Crown Point, Columbia, MO    | that oak where his heart once
65203-2202 573.999.2370          | had been; And he lifts up his
Computer Support Specialist, Sr. | arms in a blessing; For being
University of Missouri-Columbia  | born again. --Rich Mullins|

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