Slashdot Mirror
Addicted Gamers Succumb To Cybercafe Thefts
Thanks to the Hong Kong Standard for their story discussing a sharp rise in petty theft from Hong Kong video game centers, a statistic they blame on addicted gamers losing track of their real-life possessions in a gaming swirl. According to Connitta Chau, New Territories South Crime Prevention Officer, "Players are often distracted when they play video games. Many customers put their phones on tables or computers", making them prime targets for having items stolen. She further revealed that "Thieves sometimes talked victims into letting them borrow their mobile phones and simply walked away with the handset." Do players need a purse or handbag to put their valuables in, or is there no way to cure the distracted real-life state of an avid gamer?
People are stupid, details at 11.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
Sadly, this is no different than being distracted at any event, e.g. concert, soccer, sleeping between connections at a train/bus station, ...
The people that have their things stolen in such a manner have nothing to whine about if they don't take pay attention, or carelessly leave things lying about.
On the bright side, there are still a number of people that make an effort to return stuff left in public buildings or transport (I know, different kind of carelessness, but same effect). I've run across a few in my history of folly, and can only applaude them.
I can think of many ways to prevent theft such as this. Put your phone on top of the monitor, you should see if someone is trying to take it from there. Or the cafes could have small drawers at the table for you to put your things in. No need for a lock, just put the drawer straight under the monitor, so you'd have to back away a bit from the screen to be able to open it.
Physical security is always an issue with your techno-toys. Trying to stick your cell phone in one of your front pockets can be bulky, depending on what sort of phone you have. After looking at the way fashion has totally trashed the usefulness of cargo pockets and the expense of those purpose-built TechnoPants, I found standard (Dickies, Carhartt, etc) carpenter jeans to have better pockets for my standard geek loadout. My cell fits perfectly in the tall, thin pocket for the hammer handle, and I actually use the pencil pocket for (surprise!) a pen, alcohol markers and a pencil.
-- I'd say your post was about 3 monkeys, 18 minutes.
This is a concern for a lot of people at LAN parties as well. When you bring your computer ans it's associated accessories (mouse, keyboard, cell, batteries, camera, etc.) with you then there's always the chenacce that something will get swiped.
At least for LAN parties the best way to protect your gear is to get to know the people sitting around you. Know who's going to be around your computer and if you see somebody picking up stuff off your neighbor's computer give him shit about it.
Also, bringing a backpack or something is a great idea; at the end of the evening at Quakecon at least you can always toss your stuff into the backpack (stuff like mice and headphones) and go up to your hotel room. It's unlikely that somebody will try to walk out with your massive monitor, but a mouse is easy to slip into a pocket or something.
Most people are considerate and don't take stuff when they themselves have 2-3k of equipment with them too. Bad apples get crushed fast.
but my pants have pockets.
Unfortunately, I had a nice Digital 8 Sony camcorder stolen from me while playing a car game at E3 2003. I was at the GameShark both. The thing was, I'm usually very "theft aware". However, I thought I was at an event of professionals. Apparently, no matter where you are, the bad element follows.
I don't know how long it took exactly, but my wife learned long ago that I'm useless when I'm in the midst of gaming. She even got to the point where she warned her family about leaving messages with me since, when she's not home I'm 90% of the time on the computer.
They got to view it first hand when her mother stopped by to go shopping and I was in the midst of an EQ binge. Her mother politely tried to make conversation while my wife finished up, and it went something like this:
Mother-in-Law: What are you doing? Is this that computer game?
Me: Yes.... uh... yes it is.
Her: (nods) Why is that woman screaming?
Me: Because I'm killing her.
Her: Oh... what are you doing now?
Me: I'm looting her corpse.
I will shred my adversaries. Pull their eyes out just enough to turn them towards their mewing, mutilated faces. Illyria
Us chicks already get the short straw there -- handbags.
Phone, PDA, wallet, usually odd pieces of jewellery, chequebook.... in mine there's even sometimes a digital camera. All in a nice handy carry-bag, ready-to-go.
They really need to start putting pockets in women's clothing!
Can't say I've ever worn my kilt to any LAN gaming, but the sporran is always a handy thing for keeping your phone/wallet/keys in. Being right up against your privates you would notice anyone trying to pick-pocket (or pick-sporran?) you. Gets round the fact that carrying a "man-bag" makes you look like a girl - anyone who says wearing what amounts to a skirt make you look even more like a girl will have a bunch of hairy-@rsed Scots to deal with!
How much do you like toast?
Is this a slashdot first? A news item about theft that is actually about theft?
Too often, there are items about "theft" which are really about copyright infringement instead.