This was on a mailing list and thought I should publish it here for posterity.
(Tech Support | California, USA) Caller: "I need to report a very serious computer crime! The local university is running an illegal computer system!" Me: "Could you please repeat that" Caller: "The local university is running an illegal computer system! They've hacked it!" Me: "How could you tell they'd hacked it" Caller: "Well, when it booted, it didn???t say Windows or Microsoft or anything! It said something about Deviant Linux, I think, and the main screen looked nothing like my good, legal Windows screen at home! I think they hacked that, too!" Me: "Do you mean Debian Linux" Caller: "Yes, that! Is it some sort of computer mafia or something" Me: "Uh, no, it's just a different operating system. Nothing to worry about." Caller: "But it's illegal! It's not Microsoft, not even Windows! They're on a normal Microsoft computer, so they're breaking the law! I think they stole my identity when I came in the building! I'm calling the FBI!" *hangs up*
Sounds like a prankster. Even if that explanation contradicts Hanlon’s razor.
Might have been, but it is funny nonetheless. A lot of times, when I talk about Fedora etc, inevitably, the question comes up, “but what about anti-virus software”. Sigh.
Ahh memories. xD
Thanks for making my day, it reminds me of when I say to someone “I don’t use Windows but I think you can ” and they respond: “Oh, so you use a Mac!”
*sigh*