Re: AW: Re: Wireless access (off topic)

["Robert Holmgren" holmgren@xxxxxxxx]

** Reply to message from flash@xxxxxxxx on Wed, 02 Nov 2005 10:19:49 +0100


> Is it immoral/illegal? Well, would you consider it immoral or illegal if
> someone were to use your telephone without your knowledge or permission, and
> you got the bill for it? Usually you'd know it because the person would have to
> come into your house and ask your permission. But suppose someone could do it
> without coming into your house? That's what we're talking about here with
> interloping onto wireless LANs.

The fact is, these people are running public access points. If they want to
privatize them, they should do so. I run a wireless AP (with rooftop antenna)
at my farm, and I intend it to be public and free, which it is. I bear the
cost entirely (not that there is any cost, apart from the equipment). Several
computers in my neighborhood use it. Are you asserting that it is illegal for
them to use my AP? Am I supposed to post a public declaration of its
existence, like Starbucks, to make it legal, much less "moral"? I doubt it.
This is not an exceptional case; this is simply what public access points are:
public.

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Robert Holmgren
holmgren@xxxxxxxx
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