[P1] OT: Setting up Public Wi-Fi

[Jean-Paul Thuot]

On 14/03/2004, at 11:32, gwallace wrote:
> I think listening to someone else's radio is much closer than using 
> their hammer or stealing their car.  I turn on my computer, my airport 
> automatically connects to the network, my mail downloads by itself 
> before I even notice I'm connected.  Yes, I've "used" the signal being 
> broadcast by somebody nearby, just like I've listened to the music 
> being played on the next beach blanket.  But I haven't interfered with 
> anybody else's property and haven't even actually done anything other 
> than turning my computer on.  So, is it my responsibility to search 
> for the neighbor with the unprotected network so I can ask permission, 
> or alternately, am I expected to turn airport off when I use my iBook 
> at home? From the lively debate on this list, it appears that the 
> answer is far from clear.

The problem with a lot of these analogies is that they deal with 
'resources,' something that if one takes them another lacks.  The truth 
is though, if a person doesn't know enough to secure their network they 
likely will never notice someone tapping it.

It ain't illegal if no one cares.


Jean-Paul