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Electric Company Using Power Lines for Data

Posted by timothy on from the different-priorties-and-agendas dept.

Snags writes: "The local electric company PPL Utilities is testing a system to send electricity usage readings back to the company over its own power lines. According to a local newspaper article, they are using the TWACS system made by DSCI. I'm just hoping this doesn't interfere with other ideas for sending data over power lines."

8 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Hack your utility bill! by Quixadhal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Boy, I can't wait for the first time I can take a tcpdump of my electrical wiring in to dispute my bill...

    And how about a DDOS attack? Do I have to firewall off my toaster now? :)

    1. Re:Hack your utility bill! by plover · · Score: 4, Funny
      If this system interferes with X-10, does that mean the end of their stinking pop-under ads for X-10 cameras?

      Sign me up!

      Either that, or this system may be inadvertently bridging X-10 signals, so we get to watch our neighbors X-10 cameras. Hmm... choices.

      --
      John
    2. Re:Hack your utility bill! by Colin+Bayer · · Score: 3, Funny

      so we get to watch our neighbors X-10 cameras.

      Hell, that might work for you if you live next to a model or movie star. I live next to a slaughterhouse and proctologist. Where does that leave me? ;)

      --
      Want Linux games? HERE.
  2. Of course, by base3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    this idea has the potential (get it?) to make a short in your network card a little more hazardous. This is a BOFH moment waiting to happen.

    --
    One CPU cycle wasted on digital restrictions management is ONE TOO MANY.
  3. This is good by red_dragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now I'll be able to send a hojillion volts down the wire to those 5kr1p7 k1dd13 1337 h4x0r5 that keep DDoS'ing me off of Efnet. Well, I hope.

    --
    In Soviet Russia, Jesus asks: "What Would You Do?"
  4. Yeah it may sound good... by powerlinekid · · Score: 2, Funny

    Like I need lag on my power, and lets not forget the script kiddies, this gives "ping of death" a whole new meaning.

    "Hey I wanna watch tv!"

    "Well, we have to wait until 3AM when every sane person is sleeping so we can have enough power..."

    --

    can't sleep slashdot will eat me
    1. Re:Yeah it may sound good... by kin_korn_karn · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm not a dork, I'm a geek. Ask my girlfriend.
      the girlfriend represents the difference between 'dork' and 'geek'.

  5. Re:Power Line Interference with HF Radio by Big+Dogs+Cock · · Score: 4, Funny

    I remember a quote at the time:
    One day, aliens will wonder why humanity built an enormous phased-array antenna to beam pornography and credit-card numbers into deep space.

    --
    "Under the iron bridge, we fist" - The Smiths, Still Ill