Why would you bother posting such a trivial detail regarding semantics? I think it's safe to say that, the majority of TechDirt readers are at least as tech-savy as to understand the difference between ink for an ink-jet printer, and toner for a laser. I mean, I know Tron is coming to theatres soon and all, but this isn't 1983 and nit-picking over the nuances of printers and their mediums does not make you l33t. It makes you an ass.
Kudos to the TSA for yet another round of ridiculous "security" enhancements! Do they actually think that banning an item as innocuous as a toner cartridge will thwart future attack attempts and make the planes, the people on it, and this country any safer? This is a stupid move anyway you look at it. It adds unnecessary search criteria and responsibility on TSA screeners, who, by any standard, are less than our sharpest knives. It also adds to the growing confusion over what is and is not allowed on a flight.
What if some college student is moving and wants to check a box that contains his printer? Does he have to make sure that he throws away his ink before take-off? What about business travellers who sometimes carry compact ink-jet printers that work with their laptops?
You can see where this is going.In a few months when the some terrorist walks right through screening while the TSA is doing one if its famous random searches of some elderly white woman, and he's carrying a pen or magic marker packed with Semtex, they'll forget about the toner cartridges and ban magic markers and pens. Homeland Security, and particularly the TSA have created a security and screening framework that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors intended to lull the masses into feeling safe.
You gotta tip your hat to this rare display of ingenuity and psychological aggression by the inmates. The warden is definitely going to declare "open season" on these guys. However, I would think that this whole fiasco has earned them some street-cred and respect.
If I was a C.O. at this facility I would be laughing my ass off with everyone else in the bar after work.
Kudos to the inmates involved. You'll get 'em next time...
From my understanding, the server was not crashed; it maintained normal operations. There was an alleged slowdown and their admin attributed it to higher-than-normal activity originating from a particular referrer - that being the blog link directing users to the school's site.
Given that this is a Windows server, operating on equipment purchased with money funded by a school system that has demonstrated incredible technological ignorance, I'm inclined to suppose that there are probably several other mitigating factors contributing to the alleged slowdown. Anyone who has any experience with Microsoft IIS knows that you have to throw a lot of hardware at it to achieve decent performance. Since a web server is only as good as the operating system it runs on, IIS-powered web sites (if you can say 'powered') are prone to poor performance and outages far more often than should be tolerated. This is one of the major reasons that Microsoft IIS powers less than 21% of the Web, compared to Apache which is the engine behind 68% of the Web. Factor in the likely-meager salary they pay their administrator and I think a pretty bleak, yet clear, picture of their network infrastructure emerges.
Something else to consider is the browser configurations of the refresh-perpetrators. By default, Internet Explorer and most other common browsers are configured to display previously viewed web sites from their cache unless the page being viewed has changed since it was last viewed. It accomplishes this by comparing the date and file size of the page on the server with the one in its cache. Unless the page has changed, all of its content is displayed from the cache on the individual's computer. So, unless the school was making a whirlwind of changes to their web site while the refresh-onslaught was going on, the impact of all this F5 pushing would be negligible.
I think the biggest obstacle in this case is going to be explaining the reality of the situation to the prosecutor, judge, and jury (if it gets that far). When people lack knowledge and understanding of something, the first reaction is usually fear. Fear is always a catalyst of extreme and unreasonable reaction, and people, especially criminal prosecutors, are not quick to admit that they were wrong; even when presented with overwhelming evidence and logic.
Regardless of his intentions, the action he urged others to take was completely benign and could not have led to the outcome he was allegedly working towards.
Intent means nothing without sufficient action. If I tell everyone to fill a DixieCup with water to help me flood the city, and a hundred people actually do it, is the city going to flood or is there going to be a hundred idiots standing there looking at a puddle?
I'd like everyone to know that I'm forwarding a copy of the comments here, as well as a link to the petition to the City of Canton's Law Director, Mr. Joseph Martuccio. From what I gather, he is the prosecutor's supervisor. Perhaps more importantly, he is an ELECTED OFFICIAL and may be a bit more open to listening to the opinions of the People. If anyone else is interested in contacting him, his email address is jmcarman@ci.canton.oh.us and his phone number is 330-489-3251.
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter Network Engineer / Security Analyst
swalter718@gmail.com
Thank you for voicing your support of my commentary. Given that I am not in any way involved in this fiasco, I was hesitant to write such a lengthy statement of my opinion. Nobody wants to be perceived as an "opinionated do-gooder", but I found myself particularly outraged by the audacious actions of the school and, especially, the prosecutor. I followed your suggestion and emailed a copy of my post to the journalist covering the story at the Canton Repository, Mr. Edd Pritchard. It is my sincere hope that my statement makes it way to someone with enough common sense in a high enough position of power to vindicate this poor kid. I would also like to urge other readers who share my disbelief and outrage to please voice your opinion here on TechDirt.com, and either forward a copy of your comments to Mr. Pritchard (edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com) or call him at 330-580-8484. The more comments this story generates the longer it will stay in the public eye, and the greater the chance this boy has of making it through this unscathed. Additionally, I ask that everyone fill out the petition created by srage at http://new.petitiononline.com/mwstone/petition.html. I don't know what impact it will make, but an organized collection of names certainly couldn't hurt. I live in Philadelphia and have no connection to anyone involved in this story, but cannot sit back and watch this unfold without making an effort to reach out and do something about it. Let's show the Lake Township School Board and Mr. Frank Forchione what "Power to the People" really means!
Respectfully, Samuel Walter Network Engineer / Security Analyst swalter718@gmail.com
Your assertion that the student's actions constitute an attempted Denial of Service (DoS) attack is ridiculous. The student simply posted a comment on a public blog, not operated by the school, requesting that others go to the site and refresh the content. Regardless of his intentions, all he did was tell people to visit the site. He didn't setup flood bot, he didn't coordinate a distributed attack, and he didn't take advantage of or even mention possible weaknesses to exploit. Again, all he did was ask people to visit the site and refresh the content. At the most, the boy's actions equate to harassment and could have been remedied by simply talking to him.
Charging this boy with a FELONY is reckless, and irresponsible, and illustrates incredible ignorance by the school, the police, and the prosecutor. Furthermore, the actions taken and comments made by the prosecutor demonstrate his own brazen arrogance, poor judgement, and malice. If convicted of the charge this boy, who is just beginning his life, will carry the burden of being a "convicted felon" until he dies or is absolved by a higher court. Here's a sample of the collateral consequences his conviction would bring:
Ineligible for student loans and other financial aid.
Ineligible for most jobs requiring licensing by state or federal government (i.e. teacher, doctor, architect, lawyer, electrician, real estate broker, stock broker).
Ineligible for governmental employment.
Prohibited for possessing firearms.
Must disclose "convicted felon" status on employment applications.
Loses the right to become an elector and cannot vote, hold public office, or run for public office.
Potential disqualification from applying for public housing and other social services.
Potential disqualification from applying to be a foster parent.
Potential disqualification from adoption applications.
Even if this boy is exonerated and the charges are dropped or dismissed, he will have been put through a process reserved for those accused of the highest order of crime defined by law. The prosecutor's rash decision to file felony charges without first consulting with a technology expert is reprehensible. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear he lacks the sound judgement and integrity that is necessary to competently represent the People of his municipality. He should resign from or be removed from his post, and be replaced by someone who will represent the People with the integrity and consideration they deserve.
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter Network Engineer / Security Analyst
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Samuel Walter.
Re: pointless
Why would you bother posting such a trivial detail regarding semantics? I think it's safe to say that, the majority of TechDirt readers are at least as tech-savy as to understand the difference between ink for an ink-jet printer, and toner for a laser. I mean, I know Tron is coming to theatres soon and all, but this isn't 1983 and nit-picking over the nuances of printers and their mediums does not make you l33t. It makes you an ass.
Kudos to the TSA for yet another round of ridiculous "security" enhancements! Do they actually think that banning an item as innocuous as a toner cartridge will thwart future attack attempts and make the planes, the people on it, and this country any safer? This is a stupid move anyway you look at it. It adds unnecessary search criteria and responsibility on TSA screeners, who, by any standard, are less than our sharpest knives. It also adds to the growing confusion over what is and is not allowed on a flight.
What if some college student is moving and wants to check a box that contains his printer? Does he have to make sure that he throws away his ink before take-off? What about business travellers who sometimes carry compact ink-jet printers that work with their laptops?
You can see where this is going.In a few months when the some terrorist walks right through screening while the TSA is doing one if its famous random searches of some elderly white woman, and he's carrying a pen or magic marker packed with Semtex, they'll forget about the toner cartridges and ban magic markers and pens. Homeland Security, and particularly the TSA have created a security and screening framework that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors intended to lull the masses into feeling safe.
Never underestimate the power of the Streisand Effect. It seems to have emerged as one of the universal laws of the Net.
You gotta tip your hat to this rare display of ingenuity and psychological aggression by the inmates. The warden is definitely going to declare "open season" on these guys. However, I would think that this whole fiasco has earned them some street-cred and respect.
If I was a C.O. at this facility I would be laughing my ass off with everyone else in the bar after work.
Kudos to the inmates involved. You'll get 'em next time...
Re: >READ PEOPLE
amazon10x:
From my understanding, the server was not crashed; it maintained normal operations. There was an alleged slowdown and their admin attributed it to higher-than-normal activity originating from a particular referrer - that being the blog link directing users to the school's site.
Given that this is a Windows server, operating on equipment purchased with money funded by a school system that has demonstrated incredible technological ignorance, I'm inclined to suppose that there are probably several other mitigating factors contributing to the alleged slowdown. Anyone who has any experience with Microsoft IIS knows that you have to throw a lot of hardware at it to achieve decent performance. Since a web server is only as good as the operating system it runs on, IIS-powered web sites (if you can say 'powered') are prone to poor performance and outages far more often than should be tolerated. This is one of the major reasons that Microsoft IIS powers less than 21% of the Web, compared to Apache which is the engine behind 68% of the Web. Factor in the likely-meager salary they pay their administrator and I think a pretty bleak, yet clear, picture of their network infrastructure emerges.
Something else to consider is the browser configurations of the refresh-perpetrators. By default, Internet Explorer and most other common browsers are configured to display previously viewed web sites from their cache unless the page being viewed has changed since it was last viewed. It accomplishes this by comparing the date and file size of the page on the server with the one in its cache. Unless the page has changed, all of its content is displayed from the cache on the individual's computer. So, unless the school was making a whirlwind of changes to their web site while the refresh-onslaught was going on, the impact of all this F5 pushing would be negligible.
I think the biggest obstacle in this case is going to be explaining the reality of the situation to the prosecutor, judge, and jury (if it gets that far). When people lack knowledge and understanding of something, the first reaction is usually fear. Fear is always a catalyst of extreme and unreasonable reaction, and people, especially criminal prosecutors, are not quick to admit that they were wrong; even when presented with overwhelming evidence and logic.
If you haven't already done so, I urge you all to please sign the petition to "Free Mike Stone" by going to http://www.petitiononline.com/mwstone/petition.html
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst
swalter718@gmail.com
Re: >READ PEOPLE
Pharaoh:
Regardless of his intentions, the action he urged others to take was completely benign and could not have led to the outcome he was allegedly working towards.
Intent means nothing without sufficient action. If I tell everyone to fill a DixieCup with water to help me flood the city, and a hundred people actually do it, is the city going to flood or is there going to be a hundred idiots standing there looking at a puddle?
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst
Re: dos is dos
I'd like everyone to know that I'm forwarding a copy of the comments here, as well as a link to the petition to the City of Canton's Law Director, Mr. Joseph Martuccio. From what I gather, he is the prosecutor's supervisor. Perhaps more importantly, he is an ELECTED OFFICIAL and may be a bit more open to listening to the opinions of the People. If anyone else is interested in contacting him, his email address is jmcarman@ci.canton.oh.us and his phone number is 330-489-3251.
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst
swalter718@gmail.com
Re: dos is dos
CoronaJoe:
Thank you for voicing your support of my commentary. Given that I am not in any way involved in this fiasco, I was hesitant to write such a lengthy statement of my opinion. Nobody wants to be perceived as an "opinionated do-gooder", but I found myself particularly outraged by the audacious actions of the school and, especially, the prosecutor.
I followed your suggestion and emailed a copy of my post to the journalist covering the story at the Canton Repository, Mr. Edd Pritchard. It is my sincere hope that my statement makes it way to someone with enough common sense in a high enough position of power to vindicate this poor kid.
I would also like to urge other readers who share my disbelief and outrage to please voice your opinion here on TechDirt.com, and either forward a copy of your comments to Mr. Pritchard (edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com) or call him at 330-580-8484. The more comments this story generates the longer it will stay in the public eye, and the greater the chance this boy has of making it through this unscathed.
Additionally, I ask that everyone fill out the petition created by srage at http://new.petitiononline.com/mwstone/petition.html. I don't know what impact it will make, but an organized collection of names certainly couldn't hurt. I live in Philadelphia and have no connection to anyone involved in this story, but cannot sit back and watch this unfold without making an effort to reach out and do something about it. Let's show the Lake Township School Board and Mr. Frank Forchione what "Power to the People" really means!
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst
swalter718@gmail.com
Re: dos is dos
Your assertion that the student's actions constitute an attempted Denial of Service (DoS) attack is ridiculous. The student simply posted a comment on a public blog, not operated by the school, requesting that others go to the site and refresh the content. Regardless of his intentions, all he did was tell people to visit the site. He didn't setup flood bot, he didn't coordinate a distributed attack, and he didn't take advantage of or even mention possible weaknesses to exploit. Again, all he did was ask people to visit the site and refresh the content. At the most, the boy's actions equate to harassment and could have been remedied by simply talking to him.
Charging this boy with a FELONY is reckless, and irresponsible, and illustrates incredible ignorance by the school, the police, and the prosecutor. Furthermore, the actions taken and comments made by the prosecutor demonstrate his own brazen arrogance, poor judgement, and malice. If convicted of the charge this boy, who is just beginning his life, will carry the burden of being a "convicted felon" until he dies or is absolved by a higher court. Here's a sample of the collateral consequences his conviction would bring:
Even if this boy is exonerated and the charges are dropped or dismissed, he will have been put through a process reserved for those accused of the highest order of crime defined by law. The prosecutor's rash decision to file felony charges without first consulting with a technology expert is reprehensible. Regardless of the outcome, it is clear he lacks the sound judgement and integrity that is necessary to competently represent the People of his municipality. He should resign from or be removed from his post, and be replaced by someone who will represent the People with the integrity and consideration they deserve.
Respectfully,
Samuel Walter
Network Engineer / Security Analyst