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Government Monitors Movie Pirate After Sentence Served
McCausland will have to switch computers to allow monitoring
Last year, Scott McCausland pled guilty to copyright infringement violations after being caught using BitTorrent tracker Elitetorrents. He was sentenced to five months imprisonment and five months on house arrest, which he has now completed. However, his freedom hasn’t quite been restored. The government apparently plans to continue watching McCausland’s online activity using windows monitoring software. McCausland can get around the monitoring by switching computers since the software being used only works on Windows PCs. McCausland notes that he can’t afford to restructure his computer life since he is currently unemployed with a history of felony convictions. Instead, he plans to fight the monitoring.
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Jodokast96
Stupid people piss me off.
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
NJ

2 edits

Jodokast96

Premium Member

You got the story totally wrong...

Did you even read that article? He is already a Linux user, but needs to switch to Windows or give up a pc since the software only runs on Windows. There is no getting around it for him.

Garbagereports
@rtcorp.com

1 recommendation

Garbagereports

Anon

Re: You got the story totally wrong...

He also wasn't just a user, he was one of he operators. Which (in the US) means he was actively distributing. Using, as far as I know, isn't a felony, yet.

Illiniwek7
Go Illini
join:2002-08-19
Draper, UT

Illiniwek7 to Jodokast96

Member

to Jodokast96
Agreed. I thought the author missed by a mile on another article this week. This miss is a light-year compared to that.

The article should be deleted and completely re-written. It isn't as if there's a little spin on it, or written with a slight bias. The author has completely changed the story!

enigmax
@swipnet.se

enigmax

Anon

Re: You got the story totally wrong...

Hi

I'm the author of the original article
»torrentfreak.com/bittorr ··· p-linux/

I'm very sure it's accurate

thanks

Jodokast96
Stupid people piss me off.
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
NJ

Jodokast96

Premium Member

Re: You got the story totally wrong...

I'm talking about the BBR summary of it.
Jodokast96

Jodokast96

Premium Member

I can't believe the story still hasn't been corrected.

Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium Member
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30

Doctor Olds to Jodokast96

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to Jodokast96
said by Jodokast96:

Did you even read that article? He is already a Linux user, but needs to switch to Windows or give up a pc since the software only runs on Windows. There is no getting around it for him.
That is a re-occurring pattern with this news submitter and I'm not liking that it is allowed to continue.

Look at this butchery.

»This story was not checked for accuracy and should be pulled

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

»sk0t.com/2007/08/opinion ··· ded.html
2007/08/21
Opinions Needed

So, I am getting shafted by the Justice Department again...

Here goes: I had a meeting with my probation officer today, and he told me that he has to install monitoring software onto my PC. No big deal to me, that is part of my sentence. However, their software doesnt support GNU/Linux (Which is what I use). So, he told me that if I want to use a computer, I would have to use an OS that the software can be installed on. Which basically means: MICROSOFT AND MONITORING SOFTWARE or NO COMPUTER. I use Ubuntu 7.04 now, and they are trying to force me to switch.

First they give me 2 felonys, then they throw me in prison, and now this...
// sk0t @ 11:58 AM
He seems to think he is some poor abused nice guy instead of the felon he is. Apparently he has learned nothing from his experience.

hopeflicker
Capitalism breeds greed
Premium Member
join:2003-04-03
Long Beach, CA

hopeflicker

Premium Member

Re: Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

He should not be forced to switch. His probation officer should look into monitoring SW for his system.
gaforces (banned)
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA

2 edits

1 recommendation

gaforces (banned)

Member

Re: Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

From what Ive seen, they can take away all his pc/equipment and ban him from using the net period.

He is lucky he gets on the net/access to computer at all.
Dont mess wit George Lucas!
(this is the guy who had torrent revenge of the sith 6 hours before it released
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

.. and Paris Hilton and all of her cronies who are using drugs, drinking and driving, and putting people's lives in danger only get a few hours to days in jail.

I see the justice.
bennor
Premium Member
join:2006-07-22
New Haven, CT

bennor to hopeflicker

Premium Member

to hopeflicker
This is why he has to switch: »www.vnunet.com/vnunet/ne ··· -windows

"However, the [monitoring] software doesn't support GNU/Linux. So he told me that if I want to use a computer, I would have to use an OS that the software can be installed on.

"Which basically means Microsoft and monitoring software or no computer. I use Ubuntu 7.04 now, and they are trying to force me to switch."

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
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KrK to FFH5

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to FFH5
said by FFH5:

He seems to think he is some poor abused nice guy instead of the felon he is.
The punishment doesn't fit the crime. He's learned something alright. The lesson is about injustice in America.

hopeflicker
Capitalism breeds greed
Premium Member
join:2003-04-03
Long Beach, CA

hopeflicker

Premium Member

Re: Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

said by KrK:
said by FFH5:

He seems to think he is some poor abused nice guy instead of the felon he is.
The punishment doesn't fit the crime. He's learned something alright. The lesson is about injustice in America.
dont forget greed, too.
madrhino
join:2004-07-03

madrhino

Member

Re: Seems he hasn't learned anything according to his whining

said by hopeflicker:

said by KrK:
said by FFH5:

He seems to think he is some poor abused nice guy instead of the felon he is.
The punishment doesn't fit the crime. He's learned something alright. The lesson is about injustice in America.
dont forget greed, too.
And mindless yes men who just keep repeating the "big corporations good, humans bad" mantra
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to FFH5

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to FFH5
difference is PH has tons of money and is famous. she could run over a crowd of school children while drunk and get a slap on the wrist. our justice system isnt equal if you have tons of money and moderate fame.

ReformCRTC
Support Your Independent ISP
join:2004-03-07
Canada

ReformCRTC to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
I would hope that he would tell his probie officer to go f off.

fcisler
Premium Member
join:2004-06-14
Riverhead, NY

fcisler

Premium Member

what BS

If they pulled this s*it on me, i'd move to canada!
slckusr
Premium Member
join:2003-03-17
Greenville, SC

1 recommendation

slckusr

Premium Member

Re: what BS

too bad he is a felon.

broke law got caught now is crying about his punishment.
gateguy
Premium Member
join:2001-02-12
Reisterstown, MD

gateguy

Premium Member

Re: what BS

said by slckusr:

too bad he is a felon.

broke law got caught now is crying about his punishment.
I think that you are right in regards to him serving his punishment. But the article is not exactly clear on what he has served. It sounds like he has served the 5 month imprisonment, but the home confinement is in question.

FTA
Using monitoring software and wearing a monitoring bracelet were bitter enough pill
Why would he have to wear a monitoring bracelet unless he was still on home confinement? In other words, it sounds like he is still serving part of his punishment.

Now when his home confinement is over, I would think all monitoring software would be over also.

wmcbrine
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD

wmcbrine to slckusr

Member

to slckusr
said by slckusr:

too bad he is a felon.
It's absurd for copyright infringement (of any magnitude) to be a felony. It should be a purely civil offense, as it used to.
budone
join:2002-09-07
Coopersville, MI

budone to fcisler

Member

to fcisler
said by fcisler:

If they pulled this s*it on me, i'd move to canada!
Would Canada even allow you in with a felony???
rgoltsch
Premium Member
join:2001-03-04
Bradenton, FL

rgoltsch

Premium Member

Re: what BS

Canada won't let him in.....They won't let you in for a DUI conviction either........Check the Canadian immigration laws.

Ron
bennor
Premium Member
join:2006-07-22
New Haven, CT

1 edit

bennor

Premium Member

What happens after probation is up?

What that article don't mention (unless I missed it) is if the monitoring software will only be used as long as he's on probation, or if it will continue to be used after his probation is up.

And as the article points out, it's either use Windows or don't use a computer at all.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

It's a Fine Time for Porn!

Seriously, if you're being monitored on the internet by the government...why not have a little fun with the content monitors? 4chan away there good buddy! Make sure our tax monies are well spent purousing every little fetish you can think to Google.

youveshutmedown
@sbcglobal.net

youveshutmedown

Anon

Re: It's a Fine Time for Porn!

said by Thaler:

Seriously, if you're being monitored on the internet by the government...why not have a little fun with the content monitors? 4chan away there good buddy! Make sure our tax monies are well spent purousing every little fetish you can think to Google.
Yeah, that's a great idea if he wants a trip back to the big house. First time he hits some CP on 4chan and he's gone. Heck, even if it's questionable he'd get tagged.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: It's a Fine Time for Porn!

Last time I checked, boobs aren't illegal. Any illegal imagery on 4chan is managed by the administrative staff and removed.

What're they going to do, haul him in for browsing "world's sexiest midget foursome"?

Justice Served
@wideopenwest.com

-1 recommendation

Justice Served

Anon

He Got Off Easy

This criminal scumbag should have been shipped to Gitmo with the rest of the terrorists. He was a menace to society and single-handedly caused untold billions of dollars worth of economic damage to the United States. I wouldn't be surprised if his name was Ackbar or Mohammed.

I hope the FBI continues to monitor him and his family until he keels over.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
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KrK

Premium Member

Re: He Got Off Easy

Yes, what a hardcore scumbag. His crime?

"McCausland supplied the network with with Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith more than six hours before it was first shown in theatres."

Wow. What a vicious criminal. Billions, you say. Billions.

I think the BS is getting deep, here.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2 to Justice Served

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to Justice Served
Wow! Maybe you would be more suited for a middle eastern country.. why not just chop his hands off?? or poke his eyes out too...

Justice in this country is NOT revenge, you idiot. Opinions or not, its opinions/views like yours that destroys this country FAR more than some guy sending out the movie.

I will state - I DO NOT AGREE WITH FILE SHARING! I NEVER HAVE.. but I find it FAR worse to run across people like you who like to live in the wild west and totally miss the point of The Department of CORRECTIONS.

We put people through CORRECTIONS to CORRECT a problem. We don't call file shares terrorist and we certainly don't come here and post offensive slants either. So, his name is Acbar or Mohammed? Why don't you just call him a Ni***r too?

Billions? Untold economic damage to the United States?

Please - Call George Bush and let him know you were left behind.

Mods - have a blast!

MstrFool
@clearwire-dns.net

MstrFool

Anon

Re: He Got Off Easy

Dude, he was yanking your chain. Personally, I found his exaggerating of the situation rather amusing, though I am sad to say that it's not that much of an exaggeration from how many people see it. How ever, criminal or not, I find the thought of sentencing some one to using windows to be a bit crewel and unusual. I also have to wonder what the repercussions could be if his banking info were to be stolen because he was forced to use a system that is known to be insecure, rather then continuing to use his secure system. Not that I expect it to happen, but it would make for some interesting legal actions. There are also many simple ways to monitor a user in Linux that would be far harder to slip around then with windows. I do think it's a rather poor precedent to set that the court is telling some one they have to buy something they don't want or need and in no way is involved in the crime or legal punishment, just to make it simpler for some one that is too lazy to use effective monitoring methods to watch what he does.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: He Got Off Easy

said by MstrFool :

Dude, he was yanking your chain.
around these parts, it's hard to tell sometimes.. especially an anon user.. sometimes that old works wonders.
cdogg444
join:2004-10-18
Saint Louis, MO

cdogg444 to Justice Served

Member

to Justice Served
Nice coward, not only is what you are saying total crap, add to that you are too much of a coward to even post as a user. Sure moron, bit torrent=Terrorist, let me guess you are a member of the RIAA, or one of the networks. No no don't download copies of series that you can see for free on the TV, thats terrorism. It's morons like you that make me sick. Stealing is the America way, just ask your government. Hell ask the rest of the world who steal from us. We are fighting a war for a hand full of richies to get richer, and what are we discussing, bit torrents.
xo9
join:2007-06-15
Perry, FL

xo9 to Justice Served

Member

to Justice Served
lololol
Ulmo
join:2005-09-22
Aptos, CA

Ulmo

Member

Part of the sentence

Switching to microshit operating system is part of the sentence and punishment. If it were considered NOT part of the punishment, I would have his attitude if I were him: no way microshit. However, since using an impossibly expensive, buggy, unworking and incapable OS is PART of the punishment, then it is OK. The reason it is considered OK is that he is a criminal who is still serving sentence. Yes, his prison told him he finished his sentence, but that was not completely true: he only finished that portion of his sentence.

Will VMWARE (free version) work with the monitoring software? He could use Linux with the monitoring software running still. Microshit OS and a good anti-virus & spyware software could be the only thing he has to buy. But that wasn't my point.

toobadd00d
@ps.net

toobadd00d

Anon

Get Windows from...

US government should get their stuff in gear. If they can't monitor Linux users guess what OS all the terr0r1sts will begin using.

justapost
@telus.net

justapost

Anon

Re: Get Windows from...

said by toobadd00d :

US government should get their stuff in gear. If they can't monitor Linux users guess what OS all the terr0r1sts will begin using.
HaHaHaHa.... Thats a good one!!!

jameszads
@dsl.bell.ca

jameszads

Anon

Draw Mickey Mouse + seed it on bit torrent = prison.

Can someone please explain to me how copyright infringement is not solely a civil matter? It seems to me that we have better things our criminal courts could be doing.(for example: charging the RIAA with racketeering)
jc10098
join:2002-04-10

jc10098

Member

Vmware

Scott needs to install vmware inside of linux and then that software can be run. No matter how you slice, the government won't be able to monitor his activity, but whatever. What stops him from installing windows on his main pc, and using another computer? Seriously, I've heard of ridiculous sentences, but this is both that and instrusive. I wonder how long this monitoring is to continue?

••••
KevinYeaux
join:2007-04-07
Hammond, LA

1 recommendation

KevinYeaux

Member

Gimme a break

As a Linux user, if I were in that situation and given the choice between Windows or No PC... guess what I would choose.... WINDOWS!

POB
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium Member
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA

POB

Premium Member

Perspective

I wish the feds would apply the same kind of overzealous monitoring/enforcement of the law into illegal immigration instead of playing keystone cops for the entertainment industry.

Brendan
Warr Guitar
join:2000-07-14
Portland, OR

Brendan

Member

Re: Perspective

They are. It's called RealID and it's coming to a state near you, next year. Get used to hearing "Papers, please!" (I live in Colorado, which is not supporting the legislation). The government also wants to microchip all immigrants; next it will be you.
Driveraider
join:2006-01-30
united state

Driveraider

Member

Tell the PO to Buy Him a Copy

If the Gov't wants him to use Windows they need to buy him a copy.

Just like the Gov't can't say, you can drive on a restricted license to/from work but ONLY if you drive a Ford.

Glaice
Brutal Video Vault
Premium Member
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY

Glaice

Premium Member

.

Monitoring software? Can't he just block it from his firewall in Windows?

guitarzan
Premium Member
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA

guitarzan

Premium Member

Re: .

said by Glaice:

Monitoring software? Can't he just block it from his firewall in Windows?
This person should use windows OS, make it worth while. Get the IP of the place monitoring him, run ping n- 50000000000000000, or a few billion more 000's, put the keyboard down and just walk away from the PC and let it run.

Would be close enough to giving them the middle finger. Invite a few thousand or so of his best friends to join in the fun. That should send them a go F&*k yourself message.

They already made him a felon, What could they do give him life? After probation move to a different state internet access problem solved.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

Look what we've become:

»www.startrek.com/startre ··· 496.html

Minus all the 24th century technology and drama..

CyberRage
Premium Member
join:2001-03-21
Jasper, AL

CyberRage

Premium Member

Forced to Windows

Forced to use Winderz..... sounds like cruel and unusual punishment.

Veloslave
Geek For God
Premium Member
join:2003-07-11
Martinez, CA

Veloslave

Premium Member

Lucky o be out of prison

And REAL lucky to be able to use the net.

Thieves are supposed to be punished to stop theft. He stole AND distributed.

Again, he is quite lucky no matter what the dang OS is.

•••
Methadras
join:2004-05-26
Spring Valley, CA

Methadras

Member

convicted felons...

have no say so with regards to their probationary status... if he is required to switch to windows, then it's either do that or not compute... he has a choice in the matter and he's actually lucky that he was even given a choice... convicted felons are just that... they are diminished citizens at the mercy of the judiciary... unfortunately, he is now pretending to be a victim and is whining like one... sure he can get his lawyer to try and change the terms of his probation, but that is unlikely to get past the judge and the prosecution will fight it very aggressively and he will lose... wasted time, wasted money all because he doesn't like windows...

if you want to argue about the validity of what theft is in relation to copyright infringement, go ahead, but he didn't infringe on anyone copyright... he was busted for distribution of copyrighted material without the expressed permission of the copyright holder nor with the knowledge that he obtained the copyrighted material lawfully and without permission... that isn't a civil offence, that is a criminal offense... too bad, so sad...
jc10098
join:2002-04-10

jc10098

Member

Re: convicted felons...

Prison is suppose to be the punishment for the crime. This guy must have had a quack job lawyer. Why do we continue to punish people after their sentences are served? Are we TRYING to make their lives that much of a hell, that it can't be restored back to normal. God knows recidivism in this country is very very high We focus TOO MUCH on playing heavy handed justice, than rehabilitating inmates. Give me a break, this punishment DOES NOT fit the crime.

fonzbear2000
Premium Member
join:2005-08-09
Saint Paul, MN

fonzbear2000

Premium Member

all he has to do is..........

put windows and let the monitoring software be put on his computer-then, at a later time, make a new parition and install linux and have a dual boot
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd

Premium Member

how much will this cost me?

just wondering how much of my tax money is being totally wasted on this. id rather see it spent at fighting crimes that effect quality of life such as street crime and guys holding up 7-11s or beating their wives. ie real criminals.
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