More proof that the Internet industry has completely jumped the tracks: Netpliance’s IPO went from lukewarm to hot when hackers figured out how to replace the embedded OS in the $100 iOpener with Linux, thus routing around Netpliance’s main revenue stream (monthly ISP charges). There was no buzz about the company until people figured out how to rip them off. In the meantime, they continue to sell iOpeners to people at a loss with no means of making that loss up. On the other hand, they might really be able to start making money if they would add a hard drive to the iOpener themselves and sell the boxes preinstalled with Linux at a small profit.