Barcode-Controlled Home?

MC68040 writes "The guy at this site managed to build something together that's actually quite neat in the way he built it, all hand-crafted system that uses a linux box to unlock his door. Maybe not the coolest of solutions, but actually a pretty good idea as for security in my humble opinion."

Comments

Great

[vjmurphy]

We Slashdotted the guy's door. So much for security. :)

Re:Great

[long_john_stewart_mi]

Now that we're in, I say we Slashdot his liquor cabinet. =)

And to scan the barcodes

[Anonymous Coward]

He uses a CueCat!

Re:And to scan the barcodes

[Harald Paulsen]

CutCats are cool, I got a friend in the USA to send me one. Thought about hooking it up to a computer near my refridgerator to keep track of groceries and expiration dates.

Hmm, imagine using it for access entry. "Sorry, you have to carry a bottle of jolt to gain access here", or "what, a pepsi!? No access for you!"

Re:And to scan the barcodes

[Frater 219]

Hmm, imagine using it for access entry. "Sorry, you have to carry a bottle of jolt to gain access here", or "what, a pepsi!? No access for you!"

] inventory

You are currently holding the following: a set of keys, a brass lantern, a case of Jolt Cola[tm], and no tea.

] look

You are in the Cubicle of the Mountain King, with passages in all directions.

A huge green fierce programmer bars your way!

] n

You can't get by the programmer!

You're in Cubicle of Mt. King.

A huge green fierce programmer bars your way!

] drop jolt

The programmer attacks the Jolt Cola[tm], and in an astounding fury rushes off to enter the International Obfuscated C Code Contest.

] n

You are in a low north/south hallway at a hole in the floor ....

Re:And to scan the barcodes

[DarkZero]

Also, barcodes for entry arn't very secure. If anyone gets ahold of your card for 10 seconds, they can make a photocopy and have your security level.

Personally, I see this as an upgraded form of "security through obscurity": security through weirdness. People know where the average person puts their keys and where the average person puts plastic cards (which most magnetic strips are put on)... but a barcode? W(here)TF does someone keep their BARCODE? A potential invader or an unscrupulous friend will be stunned by it. You can't look for a Hide-A-Key. He's not keeping it on a key rack. He probably can't just throw it down on his desk when he gets home. Hell, for all they know, his spare could be tattooed to his left ass cheek.

It's not obscurity, which is what the Hide-A-Key is. It's just weird, and on an individual basis, that could work for security.

Reading his E-Mail

[MBCook]

Does he have to scan a can of Spam to check his e-mail? Note: Don't blame me, only one post and it's already /.ed, how am I supposed to read it?

web / security server?

[olrs]

I hope his security system isn't on the same box as his webserver or we may have just locked him out of his house... hope its not raining.

Re:Slashdot record?

[DarthWiggle]

Maybe /. could start offering a prepackaged "Port 80 Flood Kit - Get the pride of being slashdotted without having to work for it." Say $1000 a pop. It's better than spending the money on advertising.

Geek 1: Hey, guys, I got slashdotted!
Geek 2: Woah! No way!
Geek 1: Yep. *smug*
Chick: He's so dreamy...

Re:Keypad

[glenebob]

Haven't you seen Star Wars? All you have to do to get past that is either shoot the keypad with a lazer gun, or tear it off the wall and short out the wires in the back.

Re:Slashdot record?

[microsost]

Hell I hope it never happens to me.. The traffic would cost me an arm and a leg (well maybe even 2 of them..).. Just about tempted to put the address here but worried it'll cost lots :D

From the few pictures I saw...

[mstyne]

I think this guy needs to invest in some sandpaper and some paint. Having a neat-o super keen way to get into your house is great, but if it your house looks like shit to begin with...

That's mainly why I try to avoid "pimping out" my car. What's the point of a nice paint job and a fart pipe if the brakes are failing and the engine's falling apart?

PAINT YOUR HOUSE

Re:tattoo

[Synithium]

An alternative to this would be like a passive-active system where you have a chip embedded into your skin. Then when you are in proximity to the active scanner and try to turn the doorknob the thing recognizes you and unlockes the door.

Of course, someone could hack your arm off and get in your place but at that point I'd think you'd have more worrisome things on your mind.

FSCK

[Devil's BSD]

What happens if the power goes out?

Then, when the computer restarts when the power comes on (because he's using a linux box) he can say "I CANT OPEN THE FSCKING DOOR!!!!!!"

Re:Keypad

[iapetus]

Good idea. Or maybe use some sort of mechanical device that won't open normally, but will when you insert some sort of identification device - you could make it out of metal for strength and encode the identity in notches down the side. Sure, you have to carry something, but it's small and portable, and could easily fit into a pocket.

Hey, I might see if I can patent that one...

Multiple OS's?

[Anonymous Coward]

So he uses Linux to open his door...what OS does he use to open his "windows"?

Obligatory quote...

[nautical9]

Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.

Re:Hum

[yomegaman]

Well, according to Jurassic Park all the doors would fling wide open. :-)

Re:What A Beautiful Mind

[VisorGuy]

First of all he said 23 years ago, which would be 1980 or more likely 1979 (since today is only the 11th day of the year).

Second, he's friends with gandalf_grey (93942), who is also a fan of his; so this Pig Hogger dude has got to be fairly up in years.
;-P