Senator wants to destroy file traders` PCs

The chairman of the US Senate Judiciary Committee has said he wants to destroy the PCs of users who engage in the sharing of copyrighted files, according to reports on Extreme Tech.

The site quotes Associated Press, reporting that senator Orrin Hatch of Utah came out in favour of using technology that would "destroy" a PC used to illegally share copyrighted files, after the appropriate warnings.

"If we can find some way to do this without destroying their machines, we`d be interested in hearing about that," Hatch said, according to AP. "If that`s the only way, then I`m all for destroying their machines. If you have a few hundred thousand of those, I think people would realise the seriousness of their actions," he said.

PeopleSoft users like Santa Clara University are closely watching Oracle`s hostile bid for PeopleSoft. It has invested five years installing PeopleSoft software and training people to use it. Now, weeks before students go live on a Web-based application that allows them to do everything from ordering transcripts to paying tuition bills, the university`s chief information officer worries about the fallout.

Silicon Valley reports that users may have to go through another implementation if Oracle were to succeed in the takeover and phase out PeopleSoft software.

The site says PeopleSoft is relying on its customers to help it ward off Oracle`s $5.1 billion takeover offer. To soothe customer concerns, Oracle emphasised that it would continue to support PeopleSoft current software and provide a way to move gradually to Oracle products.