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Man Fired For Using Computer To Search For Aliens

F

FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Man Fired For Using Computer To Search For Aliens
Man Said He Used Computer During Off Hours

POSTED: 10:33 am EDT October 8, 2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The search for extraterrestrial life has ended at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.


The department on Thursday fired a computer programmer who admitted to using a state-owned computer server to process data for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence project, run by the University of California at Berkeley.

Charles E. Smith, 63, told administrators he didn't think loading the SETI software on the server was much of a problem because he ran the program only on weekends and on weekdays between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., when the server wasn't being used, according to a disciplinary report.

Department director Tom Hayes disagreed.


"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."


Smith, who earned $60,000 a year, didn't return a phone call seeking comment from The Plain Dealer.

There was no immediate response to messages left Friday by The Associated Press at the two phone listings in Columbus under the name Charles E. Smith.
 
Lame of them to fire him over it, but LOL at the comment.... "I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror" haha classic.
 
Originally posted by: brigden
You'd have to be pretty retarded to think you could get away with that.
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It's pretty easy, I had it loaded at a job I had.... 2 years later it was still cranking out WUs.
 
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
 
Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
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Many people that run seti do it on their own dime, or atleast with permission.
 
Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
Click to expand...

The man fired had no permission to use the machines in that manner. He deserved what he got.
 
Originally posted by: brigden
Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
Click to expand...

The man fired had no permission to use the machines in that manner. He deserved what he got.
Click to expand...

I agree with bridgen, does that mean I should pop my collar?
 
"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."
Click to expand...
Oh... isn't he the witty one. I'll bet he is a total a$$hole to work for. Yep, that Seti is a *real* security threat, and they can all be more "comfortable" now. :roll:
 
Originally posted by: Yo_Ma-Ma
"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."
Click to expand...
Oh... isn't he the witty one. I'll bet he is a total a$$hole to work for. Yep, that Seti is a *real* security threat, and they can all be more "comfortable" now. :roll:
Click to expand...
I'm surprised this taxpayer-feeding manager made that comment to the media. While he may have been justified in firing the employee (I won't argue that), this manager should be fired himself as his uncalled for and obviously personal comment just opened up the taxpayers of the State of Ohio to good sized lawsuit for defamation of character, if a sympathetic jury doesn't just go for unlawful termination after all (manager obviously had a monster grudge regardless of cause).
 
At least they aren't bringing charges against him like they did in Georgia to one of our fellow anandtechers.
 
Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
Click to expand...

they are
 
Originally posted by: homestarmy
Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
that's absolutely rediculous. that dept. director is a dick...this makes me want to write a letter asking if he thinks the millions of other people running SETI are stupid too
Click to expand...

they are
Click to expand...

that made me lol so hard.
 
It's pretty easy, I had it loaded at a job I had.... 2 years later it was still cranking out WUs.


Yes easy, but not very smart.

Its very simple, if you dont own the computer dont load it.
 
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