> He simply walked into the store and quite literally installed a small application on each Macbook without Apple's consent.
People install free software on computers in Apple Stores all the time though, don't they? It's part of testing out the computers, and expected by Apple. As mentioned in the story, Apple resets the computers each night.
My guess would be this is part of why they decided they didn't have a legal case against him. But it's just a guess.
The interesting aspect of it is that the only reason you and me discuss it is because of Apple's (natural) reaction to a camera backdoor install in their public computers.
We're not exactly caring about the artistic value of it, but the author might get positive returns on this project (fame, money, inspiration) only because it's a little bit wrong (maybe a little bit legal still).
If the core artistic value was of concern, which is to show people what they look like while talking on a computer, which the author confessed was fine with consent since he himself noticed it while he knew he was filming himself, then we d probably brush it of "yeah right sure, like when we read" and basta.
It's like the surrounding story is of more interest than the art piece and I think that's where the author should dig next time: he should find something that both strike by its artistic value while being made in interesting circumstances, to reach optimal value for us and him and lasting fame !
I think it says a lot also about the state of art these days where the work tends to be secondary to the circumstances because it's easier to generate quick loudness while hard to generate a long lasting hum like the ancients could with technique. But it's an impressive attempt nonetheless ! I think he's on to something with using software techniques.
I bet, especially back in 2011 (only 29% of US population with smart phone), people often went and used their computers for free for short personal tasks too, say checking email.
Is that obviously abusive (and specifically criminal?) too? Maybe not?
So it depends on what you are installing software for. I thin it's not just a question of "simply walking into the store and quite literally installing a small application" being obviously illegal and/or abusive. That's all I'm saying, it's not so clearcut that simply becuase he installed software means it's "abusive" (let alone criminal).
People install free software on computers in Apple Stores all the time though, don't they? It's part of testing out the computers, and expected by Apple. As mentioned in the story, Apple resets the computers each night.
My guess would be this is part of why they decided they didn't have a legal case against him. But it's just a guess.