Re: [cobalt-users] Cobalt to provide compensation for server hack?

["Carrie Bartkowiak" <ravencarrie@xxxxxxxx>]

> But,  the question is, is it Cobalt's fault? Or, is it the open source
> software they used? Or, is it their fault for not discovering the problems
> in BIND? With the number of RaQ servers being hacked, it's likely someone
> will sue and maybe it will get to a judge or jury to decide the fault.

I don't think it's the open source software makers' faults - that is both
the beauty (and the hazard) of open source. But the great thing is, with
OSS, as soon as a hole is found there are *thousands* of people working to
fix it rather than one team getting paid big bucks to take coffee breaks to
get around to it.  ;)

Cobalt's fault?
Ehhhhh..... I don't think so.
Dan your whole point here has been that Cobalt sells a box as "open it, plug
it in, and start hosting!"
The way I see it, that's completely true. You *can* do that. Straight outta
the box - all you need is an IP and some bandwidth.
Just as Windoze users must learn that they need to install patches and
security updates - so do *all* server admins. Doesn't matter if they're
Cobalt users, VALinux users, Dell IOPliance users, etc. etc.

On one hand I hate hackers. It disgusts me to think of how they waste their
time when they could be making big bucks somewhere like IBM or Dell.  And
they cost us so much money and time.
On the other hand - painful as it may be - we should be thankful for the
hackers. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be getting better, more secure
software. Someone would release something and it would just sit there, never
being updated. And if it wasn't for the hackers, many of us wouldn't be
forced to learn about security measures and what we can do to inspect our
boxes' files and protect things.

But Cobalt promises an appliance that will let you plug it in and start
hosting - and they deliver.
At no time do they say that your data on the machine will be impenetrable or
secure.
And it's not their job, really, to teach people how to host sites or use
Linux/Apache/MySQL/PHP/ASP/FTP etc. etc. etc. Again, like with Winbloze - yo
u buy the box with the software installed and a promise that you can plug it
in and get online. And MS delivers. They don't teach you how to use email,
how to make your own website, etc.  They just provide a product. Cobalt just
provides a product.

It's up to you to learn how to use it to its fullest potential.
Yes?

CarrieB