Hacker brings sound of silence to net with program killing 25,000 postings
Article Abstract:
The cancellation of more than 25,000 messages on the Usenet BBS has resulted in controversy. The Internet allows users to cancel any messages, those that others have sent as well as their own. The messages that were cancelled over the weekend of Sep 21-22, 1996 were related to the topics of women, homosexuals, Jews, Eastern religions and some computer topics. Internet users view the arbitrary destruction of messages as more than vandalism, and it demonstrates the continuing vulnerabilities of the worldwide network. The Church of Scientology has exploited this capability in order to cancel messages believed to contain its copyrighted material. It does not require a high degree of technological expertise to cancel messages, almost any user can do it. Some users believe the capability enables them to eliminate commercial sales pitches that are spread all over the Internet. Others view it as a form of censorship.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
It isn't entertainment that makes the Web shine; it's dull data; sex aside, sites that offer customers convenience prove to be the big hits; map makers and phone books
Article Abstract:
Many World Wide Web observers believe the Web is emerging as a communications tool rather than an entertainment medium. The technology's inability to keep pace with industry vision has prevented many Web-enabled PCs from downloading still images, let alone multimedia. It may require five to 10 years for the Web's delivery system to match its entertainment promise, according to many experts. A notable exception is pornography, given the Web's ready access and privacy. Consumers instead have accessed Web sites for more practical tasks like free E-mail services, on-line Yellow Pages and maps. Internet strengths include its utility, as users can pinpoint data from numerous categories, and shopping variety. Popular destinations include news, stock quotes and sports scores. A potential drawback involves charging customers for online services, most of which remain free.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Computer Associates says profit rose 34% in 4th period; stock price jumps. IBM launches new Internet products in niche left by Microsoft, Netscape
- Abstracts: FlexiInternational: providing access to information. Microsoft: tooling the information age. Microsoft's foundation for business
- Abstracts: Getting with the program. Adding some byte to retirement plans. Taking account of software
- Abstracts: Characterization and generation of a general class of resource-constrained project scheduling problems. Note: on semi-active timetabling in resource-constrained project scheduling
- Abstracts: Microsoft backs ratings system for the Internet. Microsoft joins Compuserve to battle leaders on Internet