Man Fired for Using School Network to Hunt Aliens
Part of being a professional is knowing how to separate work and play. For example, if you're a network systems administrator that's interested in extraterrestrial life, you shouldn't search for signs of it while on the clock. Unfortunately for Brad Niesluchowski, common sense is illusive.According to the Arizona Republic, Niesluchowski resigned from his position with the Higley Unified School District in October, after officials began investigating suspicious activity on the district's computers. As it turns out, Niesluchowski downloaded a software program called 'SETI@home' to every computer in the district. The free program, which was developed at the University of California at Berkeley, is designed to search for alien life by monitoring high-frequency radio signals.
That sounds pretty harmless, right? Apparently, this wasn't just a casual hobby. Known in the SETI world as "Nez," Niesluchowski logged more than 575 million credits, which correlates to time spent searching data, over nine years. Plus, the investigation turned up some more disturbing facts. According to documents obtained by the Republic, police found 18 computers that belonged to the school district in Niesluchowski's home, and he reportedly downloaded pornography on school computers, too.
If Niesluchowski was simply an alien fanboy, we'd be more sympathetic. But it sounds like he was just a bad employee. On the bright side, maybe the SETI Institute is hiring. Niesluchowski is more than qualified for that job. [From: the Arizona Repbulic, via: CNET News via: Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
will work for less said 11:15AM on 12-05-2009
i will do the job for less than $1M.
fly me out there and pay me $12k and i will have it all fixed.
i am sick of all the stupid spending that goes on.
Reply