Hey! Where's the problem?

Found on Star Telegram on Wednesday, 07 January 2004
Browse Computer

On its face, that expression is neither offensive nor disturbing. "Hey!" is an informal way to say hello. It indicates kindness, simple courtesy and an economy of words.

But a 13-year-old boy at Richland Middle School in Richland Hills was suspended for three days in December because he sent that simple message to every computer in the school using an archaic form of instant messaging. The software was created years ago in the old disk operating system used in earlier versions of personal computers.

Beverly Sweeney, a computer teacher and campus computer liaison with the district, entered Carl's computer class and quickly figured out where the message originated and who sent it.

Carl did not send out a dirty word. Carl received no warning. No written policy prohibits what he did. Missing three days of school for something so minor is overkill.

"Hacking into a system should be highest on the list of tampering violations. I believe the other students are now aware that the district takes this seriously and will not tolerate such misuse of our equipment."

I would not wonder if a illiterate user calls this hacking, but a computer teacher? Obviously, she did not make her homework. If using 'net send' is hacking, then sending emails is hacking... just like chatting. And simply making a phonecall is phreaking. I bet she thinks she is a real hardcore geek when she sets up Outlook.