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If it makes you feel any better, this PDF was just digitized and linked via the netsec community on reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/19fyfr/recen

by emhart 14y ago

If it makes you feel any better, this PDF was just digitized and linked via the netsec community on reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/19fyfr/recently_uncovered_in_a_dusty_file_cabinet_in_my/ http://www.reddit.com/r/netsec/comments/19fyfr/recently_unco... And was the first I had ever heard/read of the Morris Worm (though I assumed it would be well known to most). I'm a physical security guy w/0 digital security experience. Half of my friends are on the other side of the security aisle, though, which is why I bum around the netsec boards and enjoy the history of both fields a great deal. I promise it genuinely wasn't intended as karma whoring. I actually assumed a long PDF would get limited attention here just due to the format. Only linked it because I was personally enthralled. I've really enjoyed reading the other posters share their memories of this moment in computer security history. It has added a context I wouldn't get most other places.

jcr 14y ago
If you didn't know, I don't blame you, and I hope I didn't offend you too badly. At one time, long ago, before HN got popular, everyone around here knew who RTM is and knew he is one of the people responsible for giving HN to all of us. These days, it seems most people don't realize that RTM is the "man behind the curtain" -- the real wizard pulling all the levers to make HN work. Sadly, some of those who do know of his efforts and involvement here act like jerks. They repeatedly bring up that one controversial thing he did a long time ago because it's excellent vote-bait, and they ignore all of the more amazing things he's done. If someone showed up at your party at your house with your friends and repeatedly talked crap about the one controversial and possibly embarrassing thing you did eons ago in your reckless youth, then you'd not only want to throw them out, but you'd probably want to kick their ass. Even if you're too nice, reasonable, and civilized to actually kick their ass, you'd still want to do it. You didn't know, but the repeated submissions about the Morris worm, and all the people up-voting them are being extremely inconsiderate and disrespectful. Maybe some people are envious of his success and are trying to take him down a notch by embarrassing him in his own house? It's a truly legendary hack, and I giggled my ass off when it happened, but it's not "news," so why are so many people continuously reposting and up-voting it on a news site? It's happened repeatedly, so can you really blame me for being skeptical of the real intent?
- emhart 14y ago
  Oh, I don't blame you at all! I really did want to be clear in my intent, not trying to knock you down a notch or anything, either. The example about inviting people to a party only to overhear conversations about your controversial/embarrassing "thing" strikes home for me, as I have some recent experience with that. Thanks for taking the time to reply with details, by the way. I appreciate it.

by emhart 14y ago

jcr 14y ago

If you didn't know, I don't blame you, and I hope I didn't offend you too badly. At one time, long ago, before HN got popular, everyone around here knew who RTM is and knew he is one of the people responsible for giving HN to all of us. These days, it seems most people don't realize that RTM is the "man behind the curtain" -- the real wizard pulling all the levers to make HN work. Sadly, some of those who do know of his efforts and involvement here act like jerks. They repeatedly bring up that one controversial thing he did a long time ago because it's excellent vote-bait, and they ignore all of the more amazing things he's done. If someone showed up at your party at your house with your friends and repeatedly talked crap about the one controversial and possibly embarrassing thing you did eons ago in your reckless youth, then you'd not only want to throw them out, but you'd probably want to kick their ass. Even if you're too nice, reasonable, and civilized to actually kick their ass, you'd still want to do it. You didn't know, but the repeated submissions about the Morris worm, and all the people up-voting them are being extremely inconsiderate and disrespectful. Maybe some people are envious of his success and are trying to take him down a notch by embarrassing him in his own house? It's a truly legendary hack, and I giggled my ass off when it happened, but it's not "news," so why are so many people continuously reposting and up-voting it on a news site? It's happened repeatedly, so can you really blame me for being skeptical of the real intent?

emhart 14y ago
Oh, I don't blame you at all! I really did want to be clear in my intent, not trying to knock you down a notch or anything, either. The example about inviting people to a party only to overhear conversations about your controversial/embarrassing "thing" strikes home for me, as I have some recent experience with that. Thanks for taking the time to reply with details, by the way. I appreciate it.