I can see the severity as meritable in a FEW cases. The punishment should take into account what monetary damage is done as well as the level of malicious intent on the part of the hacker/cracker involved.
Al
It isn't paranoia when you KNOW they're out to get you...
I think the majority of the people here, and else where, will agree that life in prison is a little to harsh for this crime. The original law stated that the fellon who commited the crime could only be punishable for the damages and loses that he/she may have caused. I think that was a good idea..If you do $2000 dollars in damages, then you should be fined a REASONABLE fee and also be required to pay for the damages YOU caused. Perhaps a more harsh sentence for second time offenders. I don't really see why someone should waste 20 years behind bars for this crime. Just my opinion though...