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Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

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Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#31

Post by JKCalhoun »

ssl-3 wrote: post #13
EvanAnderson wrote: post #4

I watch a lot of videos at 1.5x. Older Cliff Stoll videos don't work at 1.5x. Cliff at 1.0x is already like other people at 1.5x. I am so stoked to see Cliff at 1.0x in 2026 is still like other people at 1.5x. I am so glad to see Cliff still out there talking. "The Cuckoo's Egg"[0] was formative for me when I was a kid getting into computers. I am so happy that Cliff is out there making formative experiences for new…

The book is brilliant. Also worth mentioning is the rather dramatic PBS Nova episode from 1990, The KGB, the Computer, and Me -- starring, of course, Cliff Stoll. It's an entertaining take of the same topic. I couldn't find a way to pay for a copy of it[], but this one on YouTube is pretty clean compared to the state of many other old NTSC things on our modern interweb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW8YBrH4Q6o []:…

Already got my Klein bottle last year!

(I recommend everyone do it—the personal notes from Cliff are priceless.)

Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#32

Post by mvdwoord »

EvanAnderson wrote: post #4

I watch a lot of videos at 1.5x. Older Cliff Stoll videos don't work at 1.5x. Cliff at 1.0x is already like other people at 1.5x. I am so stoked to see Cliff at 1.0x in 2026 is still like other people at 1.5x. I am so glad to see Cliff still out there talking. "The Cuckoo's Egg"[0] was formative for me when I was a kid getting into computers. I am so happy that Cliff is out there making formative experiences for new…

Thanks! Just ordered the book. Cliff Stoll is a treasure, I knew vaguely about this story, but not about the book. Looking forward to it.

Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#33

Post by taneq »

JKCalhoun wrote: post #31
ssl-3 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The book is brilliant. Also worth mentioning is the rather dramatic PBS Nova episode from 1990, The KGB, the Computer, and Me -- starring, of course, Cliff Stoll. It's an entertaining take of the same topic. I couldn't find a way to pay for a copy of it[], but this one on YouTube is pretty clean compared to the state of many other old NTSC things on our modern interweb: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW8YBrH4Q6o []:…

Already got my Klein bottle last year! (I recommend everyone do it—the personal notes from Cliff are priceless.)

I bought one for my sister a few years ago. Can confirm, the email chain alone is worth it. :D

Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#35

Post by giov4 »

Thank you Cliff!

I had shivers most of the time during the talk, it was touching me from the inside and flipping me back like a latex glove. And while I knew your story I confess I listened to you for the first time.

It was the most amazing cyber space trip ever, feeling those copper lines and understanding you could interface with their content.

You simply represent what a hacker is, I'm getting older and loosing motivation and creativity, but after hearing you I swear I will never give that up and I promise I will keep the hardcore digging for those cents.

You are our father.

Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#36

Post by xyzelement »

It's been a few years - and I guess decades - since I read Cliff's book. One thing I recall is his journey from a Berkeley hippie to a man dealing with the military and men in suits and realizing that they are also good and necessary people. And also becoming a family man if I remember correctly.

It's a really important part of the story in my mind of Cliff growing up - sort of - as part of the experience.

Re: Stalking the Wily Hacker: 40 years later – Cliff Stoll [video]

#38

Post by giov4 »

peterbmarks wrote: post #9

Did he really break the screen on someone's phone during the talk? He seems dangerous to be around.

why does it seems dangerous to you?

I actually immensely appreciated the way he is totally human, didn't even had to go beyond the stage behaviour because I believe that's the marvellous part!

It's a whole thing, the whole experience, the whole Him being himself, beauty and art mixed together in real cyberspace.

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