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Nice innovation. Being a convicted hacker myself and serving time in a federal camp, I give him credit for wanting to make amends, that is definitely an awesome

Nice innovation. Being a convicted hacker myself and serving time in a federal camp, I give him credit for wanting to make amends, that is definitely an awesome motivation...not buying the part about being happy about being caught (forced intervention), since I know from experience and people I've met. I understand being liberated, starting your consequence (the nickel sentence), and feeling hope of change when your out....but to simply put it...."happy," is a strong word. I know this may come off as semantics, but when you talk about 5yrs of someone's life, happiness does not come to mind.

bradleysmith 13y ago
Thanks for the post, I was wondering how someone else having been through similar circumstances would have felt about someone being 'happy' to be caught. All said, it probably gets him a similar recognition from ATM mfg'rs & business people as an advanced degree, no? Couldn't a certain type of mind see an arrest like this as a badge of honor or starting sales platform to build a career in security? That's an honest question. Arrest records seem to be a death sentence in so many professional industries, and the 'reformed hacker' professional seems to be a real identity for some professionals. How hard was it to find work after your run-in?
- quackerhacker 13y ago
  The conviction can get notoriety in the security field, but as any criminal, black hat hacker, or just coder will tell you....it's ALL trial and error. Where a conviction may benefit someone is if they are doing their own business...as far as employment. An employer may be hesitant to hire a criminal simply for the liability they presume over their employee. I can get a job fairly easy in coding since I have no restrictions on computer usage and some employers are amazed by my crime (google my name Michael Largent), but I'm a little different than maybe this individual (I get anxiety attacks sometimes). As for me and employment, I've been through interviews some employers in the field will offer me a position, but coding is more of a hobby to me than a profession. I run my own business, because my conviction affects my self-esteem though...so I can't speak for others. I'm an awesome coder, but am afraid of rejection, so sometimes I won't apply for a job or I'll pass on a job offer.
  - DavidChouinard 13y ago
    I was intrigued by your background. Since you invited us to Google your name, I hope you don't mind my posting this here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/05/man-allegedly-b/ http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/05/man-allegedly-b/
    - quackerhacker 13y ago
      Don't mind at all. I just don't want to thread jack the OP. To get back on topic a little bit. I understand how he could want to make amends for what he's done, I do coding, algorithms, and websites usually for free and help others with any questions they may have that I have an answer for, but the PR being portrayed here is that he is "happy," to be caught. The quoting words just sounds like he's trying to capitalize on a conviction (example: who did the video rendering? and I've seen this done ALOT inside)...not that there's anything wrong with using your circumstances to your advantage, but just careful with the wording.

bradleysmith 13y ago

Thanks for the post, I was wondering how someone else having been through similar circumstances would have felt about someone being 'happy' to be caught. All said, it probably gets him a similar recognition from ATM mfg'rs & business people as an advanced degree, no? Couldn't a certain type of mind see an arrest like this as a badge of honor or starting sales platform to build a career in security? That's an honest question. Arrest records seem to be a death sentence in so many professional industries, and the 'reformed hacker' professional seems to be a real identity for some professionals. How hard was it to find work after your run-in?

quackerhacker 13y ago
The conviction can get notoriety in the security field, but as any criminal, black hat hacker, or just coder will tell you....it's ALL trial and error. Where a conviction may benefit someone is if they are doing their own business...as far as employment. An employer may be hesitant to hire a criminal simply for the liability they presume over their employee. I can get a job fairly easy in coding since I have no restrictions on computer usage and some employers are amazed by my crime (google my name Michael Largent), but I'm a little different than maybe this individual (I get anxiety attacks sometimes). As for me and employment, I've been through interviews some employers in the field will offer me a position, but coding is more of a hobby to me than a profession. I run my own business, because my conviction affects my self-esteem though...so I can't speak for others. I'm an awesome coder, but am afraid of rejection, so sometimes I won't apply for a job or I'll pass on a job offer.
- DavidChouinard 13y ago
  I was intrigued by your background. Since you invited us to Google your name, I hope you don't mind my posting this here: http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/05/man-allegedly-b/ http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/05/man-allegedly-b/
  - quackerhacker 13y ago
    Don't mind at all. I just don't want to thread jack the OP. To get back on topic a little bit. I understand how he could want to make amends for what he's done, I do coding, algorithms, and websites usually for free and help others with any questions they may have that I have an answer for, but the PR being portrayed here is that he is "happy," to be caught. The quoting words just sounds like he's trying to capitalize on a conviction (example: who did the video rendering? and I've seen this done ALOT inside)...not that there's anything wrong with using your circumstances to your advantage, but just careful with the wording.