298 DEAR HACKER

298 DEAR HACKER

and he should not do it. And that all your readers exercise discretion and not forget that reality is very harsh and that true justice doesn’t exist. I send my deepest condolences to Ed and hope his situation is resolved and that he can lead a regular life.

Kevin

The very concept that someone can be imprisoned for possessing information or technology should be enough to demonstrate that there are severe problems with our justice system and ultimately with our so-called democratic society. Do you propose to judge the intent of everyone’s words and possessions? Who will you trust to make this judgment? It’s a very dangerous step that you seem willing to take. Everything from song lyrics to motion pictures to personal diaries to techno- logical toys can be seen as having only one evil purpose in the eyes of someone somewhere. You may think it’s easy to judge intent as if it were an action but, in reality, such judgments are extremely difficult and dangerous.

Dear 2600: In your latest issue (Autumn 96), you pointed out, in a response to

a letter, that 2600 was your name. This made me extremely angry. It looks like you thought this name to be of your own creation and original. The 2600 hertz tone that your magazine is named after was never yours to be owned.

Second, you point out that #2600 on IRC was started by you. That’s why you’ve always resided in #hack, right? That’s why you leave #2600 after a five-minute wait time of not getting opped? That’s why I’ve never seen one person associated with 2600 in #2600? I laugh at the fact that “the channel exists so 2600 types can communicate with other 2600 types in a fairly open environment.” If these “2600 types” were to communicate freely on the channel, it would be an equivalent to #teen and a hint of #warez.

I think it would be safe to agree maybe the only thing mentioned that

OUR BIGGEST FANS

Mr. Kiddie Pr0n You are an example of someone who needs to get out more. Chat areas like IRC

are not meant to be taken this seriously. What was stated here was a fact, that the 2600 channel was started by 2600. You can dispute this all you please but it won’t change what everybody already knows. You seem to have personal problems with certain people in the channel which really doesn’t concern anyone here. We don’t have people stationed in the channel around the clock but people affiliated with 2600 are always popping in and out. That’s as official as it will ever get. And, no, we don’t “own” the alt.2600 newsgroup any more than we own an IRC channel. It’s sort of strange how you have no problem envisioning ownership of things you don’t like.

Dear 2600:

I just wanted to drop a line to you on notice of your publication. Two days ago, the company I provide my services to was hacked. I have seen this several times in the past since I am a professional switch tech trained in several PBX and voicemail applications. I just wonder if you people realize the damage you cause or if you even care. You can’t even use your real name while you’re stealing. You punks aren’t just crooks, you’re cowards too. But I would imagine upbringing probably has something to do with it. Maybe it’s just little sissy-boy compu-dork who never had a daddy or never worked a day in his life or both. But realize this! Hack me and I’ll bust your balls! You’re not that smart or even close to being good. We professionals laugh at punks like you.

Later Scumballs. (unreadable signature on a fax)

You professionals can be so articulate.

Dear 2600: Just one question: Why do you disrespect the very government agencies