Editorial: Why Kenton Won't Fight Anymore

BetaNews has secured an exclusive interview with Kenton himself, the cyber-eye into AOL that we all can thank for AOL 6.0 and Gamera. After working for AOL as a community leader, and being released due to the corporate need for "more maturity," Kenton pooled his resources and managed to obtain several confidential materials and documents from the Internet giant. The results, AOL 6.0 pre-alpha downloads and with the help of Inside-AOL.com, exclusive information in regards to the Linux version of AOL dubbed Gamera.

The following statement is directly from Kenton himself, as he discusses his most recent activities revolving around AOL.

"Within the past year of posting confidential AOL information (AOL 5.0 Alpha/Beta), AOL 6.0 Design Requirement Documents, AOL 6.0 Alpha, and Gamera (AOL Linux), I've realized that my approach to fighting against major corporations was the wrong way to handle it."

"It's not that releasing trade secrets is wrong, because I'm sure other I helped other online providers add new content or features AOL was adding, it's just my approach was wrong. One or two people doesn't help you win against a company, the whole community has to pitch in and show them what they are doing is wrong."

Legal pressures have once again forced Kenton to remove the AOL material from his site, and rethink his entire position on the subject. Having realized that there are more important things happening in his life, Kenton played-down all of the media coverage he has received as of late from sites including C|Net News.com, and went on to say the risks he has taken are not worth the congratulatory e-mails and media attention.

As many have heard, back in January Kenton posted confidential documents concerning AOL 6.0 and felt the pressure of AOL’s legal team and removed the material. Just four months later he managed to obtain a functional, or semi-functional, copy of the major release thanks to the help of some of his connections. This put him back in the spotlight, and has helped him realize that the trouble is not worth it.

"I'm not giving companies like Microsoft and AOL leeway to make their products buggy, or their confidential information to be unsecured, I'm saying that people have to take responsibility for their actions and I've realized it was time for myself to do that."

Kenton started using the Internet at the early age of four, in 1988, when the Internet was still in its pre-mature state. His father worked at a major electronics store, giving him access to top of the line equipment such as computers. His passion for computers grew as he grew, and eventually he moved into hardware. Kenton will receive his CompTIA A+ Hardware certification at the end of this summer, and will receive CISCO certification via his high school when he graduates.

Kenton finished the interview with this positive statement. "I’ve got so many friends (www.kenton.org/pics), a beautiful girlfriend, Chastin, and I’ve got things to do with my life."