Quote:
Originally Posted by stutefish
Except of course that a computer is nothing like a house, and the digital "door" isn't really analagous to a physical door at all.
But if you do insist on arguing from analogy, here's one that's closer to the truth of the matter:
A locked door, with a bar code engraved on the front...
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If you've got to go to that unrealistic of an analogy, we've got problems.
But, you're right, arguing from analogy is generally problematic, so let's just deal with the basics.
1) Since WAPs generally come preconfigured, plug-and-play, with secure access disabled, it is not reasonable to
presume, in the absence of additional information, that any given WAP operating in that mode is being done so with the
intention of being open for use by
anybody capable of picking up the signal.
2) If you use something that
you know belongs to somebody else without obtaining explicit permission to do so, "I don't see where the actual owner was explicitly denying permission" is not a valid defense - the basic rule of private property is that if it ain't yours, you can't use it.
3) Therefore, using somebody else's WAP without their permission is a violation of their private property rights.
That's my take on it, and - so far, at least - nothing in this thread has given me reason to doubt my conclusion.