If you pay even a little bit of attention to the iPhone scene jailbreaking, you've probably heard today: one of his Golden Boys moves to greener pastures. Nicholas Allegra — perhaps known better as the comex (brain for jailbreaking one-click, Web-based tool, JailbreakMe) is Hangin' up Hacker hat and heading in Cupertino by proposing internship at Apple.
However, before settling in his new position, the comex is a bit of time to answer some questions from the community on his future, his thoughts on the jailbreak scene and regrets.
To be clear: text excerpts below are taken from the Ama ("ask me anything") on Reddit. AMA took place in iPhone sub reddit, rather than selected Ama sub reddit. Each question on the original Asker following in parentheses.
Once your internship with Apple and after iOS 5 officially released, you continue to support community jailbreak, allowing exploits? (nishnasty)
COMEX: No. (but I want to jailbreak my phone, so I hope someone finds them: p)
(Of course, it is worth noting that it most likely cannot continue, even after the end of the internship. Once you have signed up for an official tour to the mothership and potentially released with source code, [Although Apple interns are usually located at a distance from the source], activities, as no-go.)
Why although the position of an intern? It seems like you could be established posts at apple. (AstroZombie138)
COMEX: I don't know if I would do it-I've never had a job before and I don't know what it's like-and I intend to soon go back to College.
How key jailbreak dev team has responded to you will work for apple? (AstroZombie138)
COMEX: mainly with congratulations.
You have made any money from [jailbreak] scene? (jamesvdm)
COMEX: I did a good amount of money through donations, which is primarily used to help pay for College. JailbreakMe 2.0 was like $ 40,000; 3.0 was 15000 (not quite sure why it fell).
The jailbreak community has made a huge impact when you left. Do you think that players can outsmart you, now, when you play for other commands, or you are Apple's ultimate solution to the problem of their jailbreak? (bitterorca)
COMEX: there's a lot of smart people working for Apple already; Maybe I can help, but I doubt I can stop people from finding vulnerabilities.
Paraphased – on Apple "steals" ideas community jailbreak (because many of the concepts, which were reflected in OIOS, such as multitasking, notifications, and even in the App Store were first implemented jailbreakers):
COMEX: I certainly don't mind. The jailbreak community puts the idea in front of people with crappy implementation; Apple polishes his to the point where it can be a function of the OS. I don't know whether Apple really paid attention to apps jailbreak, but see the App Store, copy and paste, multitasking, etc.
Why did you decide to take part in a special iPhone jailbreaking scene that had attracted you to the iPhone? (Colonel_Ham_Sandwich)
COMEX: I was the one ... He was a device () has been a lot of functionality, (b) was nice and flexible OS UNIX, (c) is already active homebrew community and (d) it was great. : p
Whether you've always wanted to be a hacker or is it just something interesting you and found you [knack]? (Colonel_Ham_Sandwich)
COMEX: I never wanted to be a hacker Black Hat, but I really enjoy hacking (originally SQL injection and shit), as a natural development programming.
Finally with regard to PDF errors used to JailbreakMe.com jailbreak, where on earth did you get a brilliant idea for it? (Colonel_Ham_Sandwich)
COMEX: FreeType was one of the less-studied open source components of iOS.
Are you optimistic about the future of iOS platforms? What you looked forward to the next? (iconoclaus)
COMEX: my personal opinion: it will probably continue to beat the pants off your competition in performance while still and Apple "take your time, but do it right" policies on probably will continue to make a pleasure to use. But I'm impatient: other platforms (WebOS) have lots of fun things with real equivalent in iOS.
Do you have any regrets? (bitterorca)
COMEX: I must have worked at those jailbreaks more consistently and let them go more quickly; I had a few exploits, fixed on me, which could be used in the jailbreak, if I was faster on the packaging.
The current jailbreaks and/or site disappear? (UntilWeLand)
COMEX: no, I will pass them on to MuscleNerd or chpwn or someone who will take care of them.
Your thoughts on Steve Jobs departure? (MDevonL)
COMEX: pity; I was hoping to meet him some day and company management side, the keynotes will not be as entertaining without him.
The fact that in addition to money, you turn to the other side? (Clavis_Apocalypticae)
COMEX: this is not about money. A large part of my motivation to jailbreak was always a problem; The internship will be a new challenge.
Again, this is only the main points — for deep dives and a good bit of interesting conversation, don't forget to check out the full flow of AMA.
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