Helios, I admire your restraint........
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| Ridcully Nov 23, 2011 11:46 PM EDT |
The article was great reading, but I got down to its final part and "saw red". I admire you for staying civil to the man - I don't think I could have. Obviously he was intent on taking his daughter's computer for his own purposes. And for what he wants to do, Linux won't let him. Theft from a child has its own rewards doesn't it ? |
| tracyanne Nov 24, 2011 12:02 AM EDT |
At the point where the father said "So you mean that if I double click this icon, it won't download?", I'd have said, "no, we've installed some special software that makes it impossible for fathers to use thier daughter's computer to download pirated movies.", then I'd have hung up. |
| skelband Nov 24, 2011 12:07 AM EDT |
The guy sounds like a total d*ck, sorry for the expletive. You can't really do anything with these types. This says it all: http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_liddam07lG1qzs32ro1_500.jp... |
| linuxsavvy Nov 24, 2011 12:54 AM EDT |
I must say the title of this thread is apt, looking at the author's patience while talking to the man. I always feel happy to help someone with limited knowledge of computers or operating systems – my own knowledge is far from complete, and I have to constantly keep my mind open to learn. The man in the article needs to carry out some introspection, just as everyone has to from time to time. |
| BernardSwiss Nov 24, 2011 2:24 AM EDT |
I think tracyanne may have nailed the optimum reply. |
| dinotrac Nov 24, 2011 7:50 AM EDT |
helios - It has to be tough sometimes to do what you do. I'd have just about bitten my tongue off to keep from saying "My God, your daughter's an impressive kid to do so well in spite of having such a jackass for a father." Very little breaks my heart more than parents who are willing to take advantage of their kids when it suits them, without regard for the kids themselves. That happens much too much, but it's the chance you take in order to help the kids -- and the parents who both need and appreciate the help their kids get. |
| DrGeoffrey Nov 24, 2011 8:28 AM EDT |
helios, A thought: Do you have a contract that the recipients of your computer must sign allowing you to repossess the computer? (Such an approach may be more trouble than it is worth) |
| helios Nov 24, 2011 9:30 AM EDT |
DrGeoffrey We dealt with this early on in our effort. Legally, a child under-age can only "own" property in the broadest sense. When it comes down to it, the parent or guardian is the owner of any computer we give to these kids. When you consider the amount of bad stuff on the Internet that we as parents do not want our children to see, it is an easy thing for the parent to level imminent domain claim to the computer in the name of protecting the child. I don't disagree with this in spirit but I do despise it when it's only used so the parent can lay moral and legal rights to claiming the computer. Yes, the "contract" would have to be bulletproof from a legal standpoint and a nightmare to draft. Fortunately we don't have this happen often. Just enough for me to rant about it from time to time. I have a "fix" for this and I will engage that fix this coming Tuesday. I will publish that "fix" on my blog. |
| gus3 Nov 24, 2011 9:41 AM EDT |
A "fix" like that for cats and dogs? |
| DrGeoffrey Nov 24, 2011 9:58 AM EDT |
Quoting:Yes, the "contract" would have to be bulletproof from a legal standpoint and a nightmare to draft. Agreed. The more I think about it, the more trouble it seems to cause. Quoting:I have a "fix" for this and I will engage that fix this coming Tuesday. I will publish that "fix" on my blog. You have my curiosity piqued. |
| helios Nov 24, 2011 10:06 AM EDT |
It crossed my mind gus..... No, I spent some time on the phone with an attorney friend yesterday and she came up with a solution that might work for us. I'll write about the blow by blow as I present it to the Dad on Tuesday. It should be interesting. I'm usually not a confrontational person but in this case, I am more than happy to make the exception. Now, excuse me while I fire up Xonotic and shoot cartoon people in the face for the next 30 minutes or so. |
| montezuma Nov 24, 2011 11:47 AM EDT |
+1 Dino Happy Thanksgiving to all! Great US custom for an ex-Aussie |
| dinotrac Nov 24, 2011 11:47 AM EDT |
helios -- Wait, do I understand you correctly? You're going to take pot shots at politicians? Better just to fire up a video game, old man. |
| DrGeoffrey Nov 24, 2011 1:25 PM EDT |
dino, Jokes like that are no longer safe in the U.S. The Stasi tend to react poorly. |
| dinotrac Nov 24, 2011 1:27 PM EDT |
@dg - Yeah, but what are you going to do? I have to at least pretend it's still the same country my father gave his life for. |
| DrGeoffrey Nov 24, 2011 1:34 PM EDT |
helios, You could suggest an anonymous tip. Ethically however, reporting one thief to another. . . The goal being improved opportunities for the child, I'm not certain what I would do if push came to shove. Perhaps a threat will be sufficient? |
| gus3 Nov 24, 2011 5:28 PM EDT |
It sounds to me like the response is already laid out and ready, having only to be delivered. |
| Grishnakh Nov 25, 2011 2:32 AM EDT |
I wonder if he's going to be using it to download porn. Perhaps his wife should be notified of this possibility. |
| ComputerBob Nov 25, 2011 9:08 AM EDT |
Quoting:I wonder if he's going to be using it to download porn. Perhaps his wife should be notified of this possibility.I wonder if he's going to be using it to be using it to cheat on his wife. Perhaps she should be notified of this possibility, too. I wonder if he's going to be using it to be using it to operate a stolen-bicycle ring. Perhaps the local police should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to be using it to cheat on his taxes. Perhaps the IRS should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to be using it to hack into his employer's network. Perhaps his employer should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to run a meth lab. Perhaps the DEA should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to create false identities for illegal aliens. Perhaps the INS should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to run a Ponzi scheme. Perhaps the SEC should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to run a human-trafficking business. Perhaps the FBI should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to run an illegal firearms business. Perhaps the ATF should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to threaten the U.S. President. Perhaps the Secret Service should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to plan a terrorist attack. Perhaps the DHS should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to sell rocket powered grenades to rogue nations. Perhaps the UN should be notified of this possibility. I wonder if he's going to be using it to create a predictably derivative, animated comedy series, filled with crude, adolescent humor. Perhaps Seth McFarlane should be notified of this possibility. I could go on... |
| cr Nov 25, 2011 9:44 AM EDT |
Put that to music, Bob, and you've got a winner. Maybe put in something about "These United Stasi"... |
| ComputerBob Nov 25, 2011 10:16 AM EDT |
I think it would flow better as a church litany. PASTOR: I wonder if he's going to be using it to _________. PARISHIONERS: Perhaps _______ should be notified of this possibility. PASTOR: I wonder if he's going to... |
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