Dell asks PC buyers nuclear questions

cnet ^ | 2/20/04

[knak]

Dell: Are you going to use this to make WMD's"?

Terrorist: Umm, no.

Dell: Well ok then, have a nice day?

[Crazieman]

Did you pack your own suitcase?

Are there weapons in your suitcase?

Are you planning on hijacking this flight?

[Skwidd]

Yeah, that would look bad on thei bottom line.

"Dude, I got a Dell...TO BLOW UP THE INFIDELS!!!"

[FreePaul]

Look at it this way. If Dell's policy discourages just one terrorist from using their computer to design a nuclear device it serves its purpose. < /sarcasm >

And they (Dell) will feel so good about themselves.

[Poundstone]

Yes, I think Dell's "policy" was designed by its lawyers as part of a lawsuit-avoidance strategy. So that survivors of a future terrorist-detonated nuclear device will have a little less legal standing to sue Dell for furnishing the computers that designed the device.

[templar]

No one should be allowed to purchase a PC without an FBI backgound check.

[Fixit]

At least they finally learned the distinction between people involved in developing WMD's and gun store owners.

Free Republic Thread: Dell Cancels Gun Business Owners Order

And for doubters, Snopes verification of story

[RightWhale]

a little less legal standing to sue Dell for furnishing the computers

As if there aren't already 50 zillion PCs in the world.

MIT could ask its graduates, before handing them their diplomas: do you intend to use your new-certified brains only for the good of mankind?

[PokeyJoe]

Frankly, I'm not surprised that Tom Green didn't move on this sooner.

[In_25_words_or_less]

Surprises me that they aren't asking:

"Are you planning to use your computer to order [dunh duhn DUHHHHNNNN!] TOBACCO?"

[Leroy S. Mort]

This is really stupid. Everyone knows all terrorists use Macs. Just watch any movie or TV program.

[Fixit]

On a more serious note, one of the reasons that they have to ask this question is that the export laws treat any computer with the processing power of a 8 MHz 68000 processor (Think 1984 original Macintosh).

The laws don't ban the sales, they simply require that the proper license be obtained.

Early in the 80's when embedded-microprocessor controlled products were becoming more common, export of the product required embedding the processor in epoxy to insure that the processor couldn't be removed to be used for military applications.

It does seem pretty anachronistic that this is still around, especially given that you can pretty much fly anywhere in the world with a notebook computer more than powerful enough to model the performance of A-Bombs.

[skinkinthegrass]

...purchase a PC without an FBI backgound check.

Darn! I'm in trouble...buying an Dell 8300 w/o a permission slip..."so this is how Shrillary is going to shutdown FR..They'll have to to pull the mouse, from my cold dead hands." :)

[Bilbo Baggins]

without the prior consent of the U.S. or competent E.U. government

'nuff said.

[Billthedrill]

I think you're OK as long as you only do your nuclear weapons development on your old machine.

[skinkinthegrass]

I think you're OK as long as you only do your nuclear weapons development on your old machine.

...on an TI 1250. :)

..while The Clintoons, collected millions for selling secrets to the ChiComs.

[Aeronaut]

No one should be allowed to purchase a PC without an FBI backgound check.

...And a ten day waiting period.

[SLB]

I have a brand new Dell lap top with docking station setting at my desk.

[archy]

I have a brand new Dell lap top with docking station setting at my desk.

You'll find they left some of the information you'll need out of it. Here you go.

[ASA Vet]

There should be a ban on "Assault PC's" too!
(They are any that look "mean.")