Brutal Deluxe vs. the Accused

[buggie@auriga.unm.edu (stephen e buggie)]

                     BRUTAL DELUXE WEB SITE


About a month ago, I posted a message arguing for open admission to
KansasFest '97.  A controversial Apple II celebrity had just been banned
(told he was unwelcome).  I still believe that everyone who can afford the
high fees of KFest ought to be allowed to attend.

At the urging of two readers, I finally found and read the web site of
BRUTAL DELUXE software --- Oliver Zardini.  The address of that site is:

     www.cyberstation.fr/~zardini

Author Zardini wrote a LOT of material, and included correspondence with
the controversial celebrity whom he accuses of uploading a modestly priced
commercial software item to an FTP public site.  It takes about 60-90
minutes to read Zardini's essay and all its attached supporting papers.

The material is shocking, but convincing.  Zardini built his argument as
thoroughly as a lawyer.  The accused's "ground hog alibi" is that, on
February 2nd, someone broke into his unlocked house and stole access to
his account, and uploaded the material.  I'd heard this account briefly in
the past, but in view of Zardini's supporting evidence, that alibi seems
implausible.  In the court of public opinion, after reading Zardini's
argument, I'd now vote guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

It's a disappointment that this happened as recently as it did.  I'd known
that the accused had a tainted history, but believed that the mischief was
all in the distant past.  I met him in person last November while at a
meeting in San Francisco.  The nasty tone of the correspondence he had
with Zardini (seen at the web site) seems out of character with the
friendly and helpful person I met.  At a minimum, I feel that an apology
is owed by the accused to Oliver Zardini and his Brutal Deluxe team.

I still believe that KansasFest attendance should be open to all, but 
now I have a new appreciation for the views of those who oppose the antics
of the accused Apple II celebrity.

Steve Buggie

buggie@unm.edu