UPDATE: PS3 Hacker GeoHot Claims He's on Vacation

[Roander]

SCEA used that serial number to determine that on February 25, 2010, Hotz purchased the PS3 System at a Gamestop store just miles from his home. CEA's records show that the same PS3 System was used on March 10, 2010 to create a PSN account under the user name 'blickmanic.' The IP address associated with the registration is located in Glen Rock, New Jersey, where Hotz lives.

Well, now I'm annoyed. This is exactly the kind of thing Sony told me they couldn't do when I reported my ps3 stolen last year.

 

[Nurb]

double post

 

[Nurb]

Uh, yes, people do break windows down to the bare code, learn how it all works, how to exploit it and share that information on how to do it. What you do with that information makes it harmful or harmless. It's called hacking and creating viruses and both criminals and the government do it for attack and defense.

So that makes it right?

Giving people the ability to cause harm and shrugging your shoulders and saying "Well I didn't tell them to" isn't a defense. It's irresponsible.

First, you have to prove to me that absolutely nobody is going to use the PC for criminal activity before you can use yours the way you want again tomorrow.

Ah yes, because one thing works this way ALL things work this way.

"Officer! That man is walking downtown with a loaded shotgun!"

"has he shot anyone?"

"Well, no"

"THEN WHY SHOULD I ARREST HIM YOU FASCIST! FUCK! SHOULD I GO ARREST EVERYONE WITH GUNS! MAYBE HE JUST WANTS TO WALK AROUND WITH AN ARMED WEAPON IN PUBLIC. GIVING HIS GUN A WALK. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU HITLER"

Yeah, that doesn't work. Don't be naive.

Mods can and do both of those things. It depends on how you use it, just like the PC can be used for good and bad. You don't keep people from using a device because a minority might do something negative with it.

If it was a mod i wouldn't have said this now would I? A mod isn't a security root key which can be used to fuck over other peoples systems and fuck up online games.

A modded system can just be banned.

This wasn't a mod, it was a security root key that could be used in a very exploitative manner and not so much in safe ways.

What i am trying to get through to you is that if this was nothing more the na mod, or third party firmware or software. Then yeah, Sony would be the bad guys.

This isn't. It's a exploit of there system being released.

Exploiting something and modding it are different things.

Extra Credits already discussed this; Knowledge of how something works is not a crime.

Knowledge of how to exploit something in a malicious way should be.

-10 Internets for mentioning extra credits though.

>If something can be used negatively it needs to be illegal
>Knowing something that can be used negatively should be illegal


I fear for the future of technology and the country

 

[Signa]

What the hell? What's with people just bending over for these companies?

I KNOW! I've been seeing it more and more, and it is awful! Companies are there to make money by giving us what we want, not to enslave us with their rules on how to make our lives more enjoyable and convenient with the gadgets we buy from them. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right"? A company should strive to make us the most happy so we give them as much money as we can afford. This isn't capitalism anymore, this is fascism.

I feel like I'm invoking godwin's law, but just look at the extreme example that Valve is putting on. They don't bother enslaving us or gouging our wallets, they just want to do the best damn job they can so what we like not only their products but them as well. THAT'S what capitalism is about.

Jailbreaking and cracking code are customer responses that people want to use their property how they see fit.

exactly. I don't know how anyone here can't see that. Jailbreaking does not mean piracy. So many of these arguments seem based around the notion that JB = free games

Capitalism doesn't exist; if it did I'd have more than one choice for cable, sattelite, phone, electric, and internet services in my area.

Yup, more evidence of our broken system

Oh yea, Valve is really doing what people want; How's that episode 3 everyones been wanting for the last 5 years anyway? Oh that's right, it hasn't been released because they're making more crap to nickle and dime people with.

I give them a pass because they aren't some giant mega-corporation, and they have been spending their time making their previous releases better. It really is time they get their asses in gear though. People want it, and they want it badly. I just seem to remember some one saying that they really had no idea what they were going to do with ep3, so if they need the time to write it and not just throw some shit ending together to appease us, while just grabbing more money from our wallets, then let them take as much time as they need so as not to ruin their fanbase's opinion of them.

 

[bluecrimson]

... you DO know that not only did Hotz mention he was a pre=planned vacation paid for with his cash, but that he handed over said parts and that the case isn't until April 21st?

Just wanted to bring that up in this shitstorm.
Learn how to look at info brought up in the thread.

 

[Nurb]

What the hell? What's with people just bending over for these companies?

I KNOW! I've been seeing it more and more, and it is awful! Companies are there to make money by giving us what we want, not to enslave us with their rules on how to make our lives more enjoyable and convenient with the gadgets we buy from them. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right"? A company should strive to make us the most happy so we give them as much money as we can afford. This isn't capitalism anymore, this is fascism.

I feel like I'm invoking godwin's law, but just look at the extreme example that Valve is putting on. They don't bother enslaving us or gouging our wallets, they just want to do the best damn job they can so what we like not only their products but them as well. THAT'S what capitalism is about.

Jailbreaking and cracking code are customer responses that people want to use their property how they see fit.

exactly. I don't know how anyone here can't see that. Jailbreaking does not mean piracy. So many of these arguments seem based around the notion that JB = free games

Capitalism doesn't exist; if it did I'd have more than one choice for cable, sattelite, phone, electric, and internet services in my area.

Yup, more evidence of our broken system

Oh yea, Valve is really doing what people want; How's that episode 3 everyones been wanting for the last 5 years anyway? Oh that's right, it hasn't been released because they're making more crap to nickle and dime people with.

I give them a pass because they aren't some giant mega-corporation, and they have been spending their time making their previous releases better. It really is time they get their asses in gear though. People want it, and they want it badly. I just seem to remember some one saying that they really had no idea what they were going to do with ep3, so if they need the time to write it and not just throw some shit ending together to appease us, while just grabbing more money from our wallets, then let them take as much time as they need so as not to ruin their fanbase's opinion of them.

You made my night with that last part, I've had fun arguing with you

 

[Kagim]

>If something can be used negatively it needs to be illegal

Knowing how a toaster works shouldn't be illegal.

Knowing how to and personally modifying your own toaster shouldn't be illegal.

Knowing how to remotely make someone else's toaster catch on fire and stop working should be.

>Knowing something that can be used negatively should be illegal

Knowing and being willing to create malicious programs that cause damage to innocent parties should be illegal.

I fear for the future of technology and the country

If we follow your rules, so do I.

 

[Signa]

You made my night with that last part, I've had fun arguing with you

Wait, we were arguing?
(yeah, pic made my night)

 

[Nurb]

>If something can be used negatively it needs to be illegal

Knowing how a toaster works shouldn't be illegal.

Knowing how to and personally modifying your own toaster shouldn't be illegal.

Knowing how to remotely make someone else's toaster catch on fire and stop working should be.

>Knowing something that can be used negatively should be illegal

Knowing and being willing to create malicious programs that cause damage to innocent parties should be illegal.

I fear for the future of technology and the country

If we follow your rules, so do I.

>implying I wasn't summerizing his post in two statements
>implying I'm not on your side

LRN2GREENTEXT

 

[Silent Biohazard Solid]

In spite of everything, he's still a douche. They should put him away for trying to sabotage the PS3. Regardless of what people think of Sony, the simple fact is that if people start pirating the PS3, it will lose 3rd party support, and then the PS3 owners suffer. So unless you're an elitist Xbox360 fanboy who's still suck in 2008 when console wars were a hot issue, then I don't see why anyone would side with Geohot.

 

[MorphingDragon]

Knowledge of how to exploit something in a malicious way should be.

So being a scientist should be illegal?

 

[MorphingDragon]

In spite of everything, he's still a douche. They should put him away for trying to sabotage the PS3. Regardless of what people think of Sony, the simple fact is that if people start pirating the PS3, it will lose 3rd party support, and then the PS3 owners suffer. So unless you're an elitist Xbox360 fanboy who's still suck in 2008 when console wars were a hot issue, then I don't see why anyone would side with Geohot.

Because of the potential that this case holds. This is a chance for game companies to get a slap to the face by the legal system if their policies are overbearing. If sony wins, nothing will change.

 

[Kagim]

Knowledge of how to exploit something in a malicious way should be.

So being a scientist should be illegal?

No, but releasing the chemical compound on how to mix anthrax in your basement and how to get it past security on the internet should be.

 

[Silent Biohazard Solid]

Because of the potential that this case holds. This is a chance for game companies to get a slap to the face by the legal system.

That sounds malicious. What exactly would that accomplish?

 

[MorphingDragon]

Because of the potential that this case holds. This is a chance for game companies to get a slap to the face by the legal system.

That sounds malicious. What exactly would that accomplish?

It might get the game companies to lay off their overbearing policies. Its not meant to be malicious, companies will always try to push the legal envelope.

Knowledge of how to exploit something in a malicious way should be.

So being a scientist should be illegal?

No, but releasing the chemical compound on how to mix anthrax in your basement and how to get it past security on the internet should be.

How to mix anthrax? Anthrax is a disease from Bacteria, not a chemical.

Seriously though:
A sealed petri dish in a plastic vacuum tube would be more than enough to get it through even the most secure airports. You don't need the internet to find that out. If you need it to be discreet and blend in to the public, a sealed dish with warm water inside a vacuum flask.

 

[JWAN]

And guess whose money he used to flee?

Thats why you dont give out money on the internet children.

I thought the Escapist would support the rights of gamers.
Yeah he fled, but that's not the point. Sony is still in the wrong.

"Sony has proof that Hotz created a PlayStation Network account and therefore agreed to the PSN User Agreement"
So what? The PSN UA is BS!

Really? Give it up man. He's tampered with evidence and fled the country? What will it take to convince people like you that this guy is a class A criminal? He obviously used the donation money to buy a place in S. America. And he tampered with evidence to you can't even say the Sony didn anything wrong now based on what they have.

Actually, I think he closed the donations after he got the $10,000 needed to fight against Sony. He probably had some money with him set for spring break before this debacle started.

10K can get you awfully far in South America. You could actually buy a house with that money. (in Mexico the exchange rate is $1 USD to 12 Pesos)

No matter what he says I cannot believe him. Who would be stupid enough to leave the country on vacation whilst being summoned to court? Either the guy ran, or he has no concept of the legal system.

 

[Kagim]

Because of the potential that this case holds. This is a chance for game companies to get a slap to the face by the legal system.

That sounds malicious. What exactly would that accomplish?

It might get the game companies to lay off their overbearing policies.

Or it might do the opposite in this ever increasing pissing match.

Why is it that both sides of this circus feels the need to try and slap each other with their dicks.

Is the idea of working with each other in what is essentially a symbiotic relationship that far fetched. No one has ever seemed to try it. It's nothing but a long string of both sides trying to piss on one another.

Both sides do something wrong, then both sides blame the other one for 'making them' do the wrong thing.

Christ, it's like watching a two little kids playing with blocks.

The first kid is trying to force a round block into a square hole and the other is trying to force a square block into a round hole. Both sides blame the other one for it not working.

Both sides refuse to take a first step towards helping the other, refusing to give up there block.

Both sides end up changing nothing, only pissing off the kid with the triangle block waiting patiently behind them.

The consumer, corporation relationship is symbiotic. And both sides seem intent on trying to be the superior one. Both sides end up fucking over the guys in the middle in the process.

A sealed petri dish in a plastic vacuum tube would be more than enough to get it through even the most secure airports. You don't need the internet to find that out. If you need it to be discreet and blend in to the public, a sealed dish with warm water inside a vacuum flask.

Yes, in a time where your belongings are thoroughly examined, all liquids must be under a certain amount and displayed, and your x-rayd to the point of appearing naked, sneaking a petri dish in a vacuum sealed container through an airport would be a snap....

 

[Silent Biohazard Solid]

It might get the game companies to lay off their overbearing policies. Its not meant to be malicious, companies will always try to push the legal envelope.

Well, the whole time I owned a PS3, I've had absolutely no issues with any policies any given company might invoke. So I have no idea what you're referring to.

 

[Defense]

And guess whose money he used to flee?

Thats why you dont give out money on the internet children.

I thought the Escapist would support the rights of gamers.
Yeah he fled, but that's not the point. Sony is still in the wrong.

"Sony has proof that Hotz created a PlayStation Network account and therefore agreed to the PSN User Agreement"
So what? The PSN UA is BS!

Really? Give it up man. He's tampered with evidence and fled the country? What will it take to convince people like you that this guy is a class A criminal? He obviously used the donation money to buy a place in S. America. And he tampered with evidence to you can't even say the Sony didn anything wrong now based on what they have.

Actually, I think he closed the donations after he got the $10,000 needed to fight against Sony. He probably had some money with him set for spring break before this debacle started.

10K can get you awfully far in South America. You could actually buy a house with that money.

No matter what he says I cannot believe him. Who would be stupid enough to leave the country on vacation whilst being summoned to court? Either the guy ran, or he has no concept of the legal system.

It's a civil case, not a criminal case, and I doubt that GeoHot would stay hidden for that long considering how big Sony is. He seems like a douche, but he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would betray the people supporting him by using his legal money to haul ass to South America.

 

[MorphingDragon]

It might get the game companies to lay off their overbearing policies. Its not meant to be malicious, companies will always try to push the legal envelope.

Well, the whole time I owned a PS3, I've had absolutely no issues with any policies any given company might invoke. So I have no idea what you're referring to.

I'm not being specific to the PS3 or Sony.

Because of the potential that this case holds. This is a chance for game companies to get a slap to the face by the legal system.

That sounds malicious. What exactly would that accomplish?

It might get the game companies to lay off their overbearing policies.

Or it might do the opposite in this ever increasing pissing match.

Why is it that both sides of this circus feels the need to try and slap each other with their dicks.

Is the idea of working with each other in what is essentially a symbiotic relationship that far fetched. No one has ever seemed to try it. It's nothing but a long string of both sides trying to piss on one another.

Both sides do something wrong, then both sides blame the other one for 'making them' do the wrong thing.

Christ, it's like watching a two little kids playing with blocks.

The first kid is trying to force a round block into a square hole and the other is trying to force a square block into a round hole. Both sides blame the other one for it not working.

Both sides refuse to take a first step towards helping the other, refusing to give up there block.

Both sides end up changing nothing, only pissing off the kid with the triangle block waiting patiently behind them.

The consumer, corporation relationship is symbiotic. And both sides seem intent on trying to be the superior one. Both sides end up fucking over the guys in the middle in the process.

If the courts find Sony's actions to be legal, this ever pissing match will be finished. GeoHotZZZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEEEE *foamy mouth* is screwed if he loses either way by running or in the courts. If GeoHotZ win, then the policies in question wont be enforceable.