Your Car Is Reading Your Email

Shakespeare? by AKAImBatman · 2004-09-09 01:36 · Score: 5, Funny

On the dashboard-mounted touch screen, a push of the Play button produced a reading of the new e-mail, a test message sent that morning with text from "Macbeth."

"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow," the voice said.

I'm not sure I could take a Shakespeare quoting car! Next thing you know, you'll be hearing:

To be, or not to be!

Whether 'tis nobler in the engine to suffer
The grinding and torture of outrageous driving,
Or to take wheels against a sea of backfires,
And by opposing end them?

To putter out: to run out of gas;
No more; and by running out of gas to say we end
The engine-grinding and the thousand natural shocks
That metal is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To putter out, to run out of gas

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Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade

Re:Shakespeare? by BlackHorse · 2004-09-09 04:13 · Score: 2, Insightful

You must have been waiting quite some time to find a post to use that one in.

Come on by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 01:38 · Score: 5, Interesting

Can't we just get by without having the need to read email. Atleast while fucking driving. As if we didn't have enough people not paying attention during driving already.

Re:Come on by Sc00ter · 2004-09-09 01:55 · Score: 4, Funny

My understanding is that it reads the email to you. That way you don't have to look at the screen. I don't see how this would be any different then having a conversation with somebody. Porn popups on the other hand...

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Free Mac Mini
Re:Come on by jmcmunn · 2004-09-09 02:20 · Score: 3, Interesting

Yes, but I wonder if this is the same as talking on the phone? I read a study (can't remember where) that basically said that talking on the phone casuses more accidents than simply listening to the radio, or even singing along with the radio. It's because, evidently, the human mind tries to paint a picture of the person you are talking to in your head. If that person is in the car with you, talking to you, it takes less brain power because you don't have to think about the person subconciously. This was done as a study to see how different behaviors in the car affected driving ability. Amd talking on the phone was worse by far than others...

So would your brain try to see the person sending the email? Or better yet, would your brain try to see the naked women, or try to imagine the effects of Viagra from the spam you are getting?
Re:Come on by Jaysyn · 2004-09-09 02:58 · Score: 1

I imagine it would be different in the same way a cell phone (even with "hands-free) still isn't like talking to someone in the car. Although I couldn't see it being worse than an AUdiobook.

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:Come on by NanoGator · 2004-09-09 03:14 · Score: 1

"Can't we just get by without having the need to read email. Atleast while fucking driving. As if we didn't have enough people not paying attention during driving already. "

Hmm... I missed the link in between some company offering a product and mass-adoption and carnage.

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"Derp de derp."
Re:Come on by EvilGoodGuy · 2004-09-09 03:23 · Score: 1

And yet another thing for those that love multitasking in their car to do. And in the porn pop-ups case...yet another thing I hope I never see the guy next to me multitasking to.
Re:Come on by sholden · 2004-09-09 16:19 · Score: 1

Listening to emails being read shouldn't be all that different than listening to the radio.

Talking on a hands-free phone turns people into crap drivers because their brain starts doing all the stuff you mentioned. But that's due to the conversation element, your brain is making up for the fact that you can't see the person and get all those visual cues as to just what the hell they are on about. I suspect (though have no evidence or reference for) that listening to what is essentially a recorded message wouldn't have all those problems.

Of course trying to understand the sounds generated by a text-to-speech may well also make people crap drivers.

In keeping with slashdot themes I haven't even glanced at the article and hence it may do something unrelated to reading emails...
Re:Come on by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 21:24 · Score: 0

"Can't we just get by without having the need to read email. Atleast while fucking driving. As if we didn't have enough people not paying attention during driving already."

If you're fucking while you're driving, then you aren't paying as much attention to the road as you should anyway. How is a talking car going to make that any worse?

Only 60GB? by WhiteDeath · 2004-09-09 01:38 · Score: 0, Offtopic

Somehow I don't think my "entire MP3 collection" would fit too well, especially not with a few movies!

At least there is a USB port for external storage... pity they didn't include a firewire port too.

I like the GPS and built in WiFi as standard though, and at comparable pricing to a laptop, they might even sell a few :)

Re:Only 60GB? by akeyes · 2004-09-09 01:43 · Score: 4, Informative

One of the two models includes a firewire port.
Re:Only 60GB? by Short+Circuit · 2004-09-09 01:58 · Score: 1

I'd like it to play my 2GB collection of MOD, STM, S3M and IT files.

If I could convert them to MP3, I might actually get an iPod. But I've been having trouble retaining meta info in all the scripts I've tried to write.

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tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
Re:Only 60GB? by Jaysyn · 2004-09-09 03:14 · Score: 1

WinAMPs diskwriter plugin worked pretty good for me. Can't XMMS do the same thing?

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:Only 60GB? by Short+Circuit · 2004-09-09 05:43 · Score: 1

I believe I've got over three thousand individual files. (All legal, BTW.) IIRC, XMMS's diskwriter plugin doesn't support batch jobs. (E.g. automatic file naming.)

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tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
Re:Only 60GB? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 07:21 · Score: 0

Somehow I don't think my "entire MP3 collection" would fit too well, especially not with a few movies!

And how exactly would you include movies in a mp3 collecion?

Wardriving mod? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 01:39 · Score: 4, Interesting

It'd be cool to set up the car (or even a laptop in a car) to wardrive and automatically synchronize email though other people's deliberately shared 802.11 connections -- at least until more cities support such citywide hotspots themselves.

Re:Wardriving mod? by awing0 · 2004-09-09 02:36 · Score: 2, Insightful

I wouldn't check my email through other people's wireless networks, even over SSL. Checking slashdot and the news, sure, but you don't know what kind of traps are set on wireless networks - man in the middle attacks, dns spoofing, etc. Not to mention if the connection you happen to pick up isn't deliberately shared, you might be committing "theft of service" and your e-mail account is a nice pointer to who you were.

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Cthulhu Saves.
Re:Wardriving mod? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 05:24 · Score: 0

There is a program out there that lets you connect and jump from one open access point to another. Some guy was talking about it on the NetStumbler forums but he got yelled at by the moderators. I'm guessing it works as a NetStumbler script.
Re:Wardriving mod? by rthille · 2004-09-12 04:30 · Score: 1

Huh? you don't trust 'other people's networks?' Even with SSL? you don't buy things online then, do you? What attacks are you worried about with SSL? How would the attacker's site spoof the certificate for your POP/IMAP server?

--
Awesome furniture, accessories and cabinetry in Santa Rosa, CA: http://humanity-home.com/

Oh great .... by methangel · 2004-09-09 01:39 · Score: 4, Funny

....Kit Car Voice:

Hello Michael, you have mail ...

"Size does matter!"
NATURAL PENIS ENLARGEMENT!

GAIN 3 Inches to your Penis, with VPRX penis pills!

CURE IMPOTENCE! GAIN STAMINA! HARDEN ERECTIONS!
100% GUARANTEED RESULTS!

SPECIAL DEAL TODAY!! ORDER 3 AND GET 3 FREE!!!

That is all the mail you have at this time Michael.

/end Kit voice

Re:Oh great .... by garcia · 2004-09-09 01:44 · Score: 1

Personally I thought Kit would be reading ads for remote car starters, security systems, and NO2 setups.
Re:Oh great .... by telstar · 2004-09-09 03:46 · Score: 1

If you're gonna shoot for realism, you should at least misspell every couple words....
Re:Oh great .... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 07:03 · Score: 0

It's KITT, BTW... (short for Knight Industries Two Thousand)

Pronunciation by lukewarmfusion · 2004-09-09 01:40 · Score: 3, Funny

V14GR4? All the other 'adult' spam? The Nigerian scam emails?

I'm pretty sure it will sound like Quagmire from The Family Guy.

Re:Pronunciation by Zorilla · 2004-09-09 01:44 · Score: 2, Funny

When I press the "check email" button, I better not hear "Hey, does this look like a 'Q' to you?"

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It would be cool if it didn't suck.
Re:Pronunciation by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 01:50 · Score: 0

Pronunciation: V14GR4?
From the how-does-it-pronounce-v1agr4? dept.
Clever, clever boy.

but, ? by the_unknown_soldier · 2004-09-09 01:40 · Score: 0

does it run linux

Re:but, ? by colinleroy · 2004-09-09 02:48 · Score: 1

It looks more like windows CE, from the third photo.

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blah

Or... by CommanderData · 2004-09-09 01:40 · Score: 4, Informative

You go buy an M100 with an ITPS for ignition control. Then you go download MediaEngine or another interface of your choice at MP3car.com. Finally, go buy your Lilliput 7" TFT touchscreen on eBay.

If you're into self installs and whatnot this gives you a lot more flexibility at less cost.

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Re:Or... by Lumpy · 2004-09-09 02:15 · Score: 1

did you even look at the ITPS??

The ITPS was designed to work with a wide variety of ATX DC-DC converter boards as well as with other computers systems operating at 12V. The main purpose of this board is to provide power sequencing and strict 12V regulation functions for automotive systems.

ignition control??? where from the magical wireless faries???

It's a 12Vdc to ATX power supply, NOT ignition control.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Re:Or... by BLKMGK · 2004-09-09 02:31 · Score: 4, Informative

The Xenarc screens are supposed to be better than the Lilliput screens FWIW. I've purchased a 7inch version with vid capability as well as VGA for under $400 off of EBAY.

I've been looking into this in order to monitor what's going on with my car's standalone EFI system. Since that EFI system's software allows me to build "dashboards" I can do LOTS of interesting displays. I have been collecting URLs and you can see pics of other's progress and discussion here -> http://forum.aempower.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=9604

Some URLs I've collected in no distinct order or organization:

http://www.logisysus.com/catalog/product_info.php? cPath=74&products_id=189
http://logisysus.com/catalog/product_info.php?prod ucts_id=334
http://www.kingyoung.com.tw/s620.htm
http://littlepc.com/
http://www.diamondsystems.com/
http://www.viaarena.com/
http://www.media-car.fr.st/
http://www.everythingusb.com/hardware/index/Griffi n_RadioSHARK_AM-FM_Radio.htm
http://www.xmradio.com/xmpcr/ (I bought one, have added optical output, and have purchased TimeTrax!)
http://www.hauppauge.com/html/wintvpvr usb_datashee t.htm> (have one on the way, thanks EBAY!)
http://store.karpc.com/cat-LCD-Touch-Screen--lcdmo nitor.htm
http://www.mp3car.com/
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/audigy2NX/
http://www.carbotpc.com/products/
http://www.powerstream.com/DC_PC.htm
http://www.powerstream.com/mini-itx.htm
http://www.media-car.fr.st/
http://drivesoft.net/
http://www.gnetcanada.com/
http://www.lighttek.com/talisman.htm
http://skylab.org/~chugga/mpegbox/MPBS1/
http://www.compucar.be.tf/
http://www.autonode.com/ig710specs.html?
http://www.trc12volt.com/
http://www.intraplexcorp.com/tx3.asp
http://www.sfftech.com/
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/
http://www.dashmatics.com/forum/faq.php

Hopefully some of those will be of help to others considering this sort of thing, I'd be interested in working with others to research this! My plans are to mock up something with the touchscreen and front-end software working with the WINTV, XM PCR, my MP3 collection, GPS mapping, the RLTC software, and my AEM datalogging software. IF it works well (or even halfway well) THEN I'll buy hardware to put IN the car. No sense spending the money if the interface turns out to suck or be too distracting while driving. I'll likely be able to play DVDs too but honestly that's pretty se

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Build it, Drive it, Improve it! Hybridz.org
Re:Or... by CommanderData · 2004-09-09 02:46 · Score: 1

did you even look at the ITPS??

I think the big question here is Did you even look at the ITPS??

From the Link I provided:
The ITPS performs several timing routines and takes actions as follows:
1) Ignition=OFF. Nothing happens.

2) Ignition=ON. ITPS waits for 3-4 seconds then turns on the main 12V rail. This provides enough time for battery levels to reach a stable output. After another 1 second the MCU sends an "ON" signal to the motherboard via the 2 wires connected to the motherboard's ON/OFF pins. The motherboard will turn ON and your system should start booting.

3) Ignition=ON during driving: Nothing happens. Your computer will remain ON.

4) Ignition=OFF. IPTS waits for about 5 seconds and then it turns the motherboard OFF by sending a signal to the motherboard's ON/OFF switch. Your computer should turn off gracefully (shutdown procedure). During this time, power will still be available for your PC to perform shutdown.

5) Ignition=OFF after 5 seconds. Power will still be provided for another 45 seconds, long enough for most soft shutdown processes. In the event where the shutdown process is hanging, power will be shut down hard, turning off your computer's main power source to prevent battery drain.

6) ITPS will go to step 1, until ignition is tuned ON again.

As you can see, ignition control of your computer system. No magical wireless faries required...

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Re:Or... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:00 · Score: 0

cripes.. it's simoply a module that will interface between your car's dirty power source and the 12volt atx power supply. it will not control ANY IGNITION.

i suggest you look at what ignition is in a car, just because someone is using a word does not make it correct.

start here

that module will control NOTHING on your car. it will only filter out the power to your computer's power supply and control power up and power down.
Re:Or... by Jaysyn · 2004-09-09 03:01 · Score: 1

I think he meant turn the PC on with the ignition, you damn gear-head.

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.
Re:Or... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:18 · Score: 0

that module will control NOTHING on your car. it will only filter out the power to your computer's power supply and control power up and power down.

Looks like you still don't get it, even though you just contradicted yourself. "It will control nothing in your car but it will control power up and power down on the computer (in your car)". So which one is it? Does it control nothing, or does it control the computer on/off like it is designed to do? (in addition to regulating power, which is obviously its main function).

Seems to me that by turning the key in the ingnition, it controls the computer (by turning it on and off).

(Not sure where you're from Lumpy, but maybe they don't call the key switch in your car the same thing there. Around the USA it is generally known as the "ignition" or perhaps "ignition switch" or even "starter". Even my car owners' manual refers to it as an ingnition/starter switch.)
Re:Or... by drinkypoo · 2004-09-09 03:38 · Score: 1

You are badly abusing the term "ignition". Ignition refers to spark. In other words, this is NOT repeat NOT an ignition module, and has nothing whatsoever to do with ignition systems.

Clearly you do not understand jack shit about automotive electrical. That's okay, most slashdotters know about as much about that subject as they do about how to pick up women without a fork lift. Allow me to enlighten you.

In your typical automobile you have an ignition switch with several positions. The ones they all have are off, run, and start. Some vehicles, especially older ones with points ignitions but also more modern cars, also have an "acc" setting. This is the same as the "run" setting except that it does not energize the ignition system which is responsible for spark.

Generally speaking, when the switch is in any position but off, there is continuity between the positive battery terminal and the accessory power circuits. The exception is when the switch is turned to start - the ignition system is active, the starter motor is activated (well actually the starter solenoid is activated, which supplies power to the starter) and most non-lighting accessory circuits are actually turned off. This is the reason you need some kind of special power-handling capabilities for your in-car computer. If it turns on when the power turns on then it's going to turn off when the key gets turned all the way to start, and then turned back on when it returns to run.

Speaking of which, we now return you to your regularly scheduled wankfest. Just remember, the ITPS has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with ignition. It's a power regulator and a timer, NOTHING MORE. It's a control circuit that will tell your onboard computer to come up several seconds after the car is started, and turn off several seconds after it's stopped.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Or... by asoap · 2004-09-09 04:24 · Score: 1

I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, but I'm really hesitant to do something like this. One of the main reasons why I would want to do it is for GPS, now how would that work? I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to GPS. Do you just buy some device that plugs into the usb port of the computer or what? How does any software on the computer get your position? Kinda like a twain driver???
Sorry to bug you, but I've been wondering about this, and you seem to be pretty knowledgeable.
-derek

--
Treat me like a marketing stat, and I'll treat your movie like a series of ones and zeros
Re:Or... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:34 · Score: 0

Nobody said the ITPS had anything to do with ignition of the engine other than you and Lumpy. The ITPS does accept the IGNITION KEY SWITCH as an input to decide when turn things off and on.

What is it that you would prefer that the world start calling the key switch for your car? Right now it seems everyone calls it the "ignition" (hence the words "an ITPS for ignition control" from the original post, meaning the ITPS will turn on and off your computer based on the input received from the ignition key switch and it's small set of programmed rules).
Re:Or... by CommanderData · 2004-09-09 04:51 · Score: 1

Yes, you can buy a GPS unit that can plug into a USB port. The newer models out are powered directly from the USB port.

As for how to extract the data from a USB GPS unit, that will depend on the vendor. I personally only know how to extract data via a serial port. I would recommend you try the Earthmate GPS from DeLorme. You can download an update to their software online that will emulate a COM port. Then you can just use VB to query the GPS. Use the NMEA 0183 V2.0 standard, here is a FAQ to get you started.

Hope that helps you!

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Re:Or... by drinkypoo · 2004-09-09 05:34 · Score: 1

The comment that started all of this says "You go buy an M100 with an ITPS for ignition control." It does NOT say ignition switch control. Furthermore that would be an incorrect use anyway. It's accessory power, not ignition switch. The power might not and probably does not even come directly from the ignition switch, but from an accessory power relay.

Stop pretending you know what you're talking about. You don't. No matter how you try to reason, the ITPS does NOT carry out "ignition control". That's handled by the ECU, or Engine Control Unit; or by a vacuum advance; or on old cars with points ignition, also by vacuum advance.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Or... by CommanderData · 2004-09-09 06:06 · Score: 1

Boy oh boy, look at what my misinterpreted words started here! To clear things up:

I recommended that a person following my post should buy an ITPS at the same time as their M100. You could have come up with other methods to supply clean regulated power to the M100, but this one snaps right into the M100, and provides the additional benefit of using accessory power as a trigger to power the M100 on or off. The way to get accessory power to turn on is to turn the key in the ignition switch. This is what I meant by "an ITPS for ignition control", I thought it would be a simpler way to put it for the automotive laypeople on slashdot. I did not expect that anyone would interpret it differently, let alone argue about it. Sorry for the confusion it caused.

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Re:Or... by jekewa · 2004-09-09 06:24 · Score: 1

Yeah, he means like the radio your vehicle came with, not how you may have rewired it. It turns on (if the radio is powered on) when the vehicle is running or the key is turned (in the ignition switch) to the "on" or "run" position. It turns off (no matter what) when the vehicle is off, or shortly after if your car has delay--my vehicle keeps the radio on for a few minutes or until a front door opens, whichever is first.
Makes sense to me.

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End the FUD
Re:Or... by buck_wild · 2004-09-09 13:41 · Score: 1

I think in this case, the original poster meant that the unit would turn on when the car's key was turned. 'Controlled by ignition' may have been a better term, though I'm sure thare are better.

The original poster did not (seemingly) intend to misdirect and state that the unit controlled ignition on the car.

I think you need to give a little benefit of the doubt, and stop trying to be both a stickler and an expert on everything.

--
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Re:Or... by drinkypoo · 2004-09-09 15:49 · Score: 1

I'm not suggesting it's what he meant, I'm saying it's what he said, and the poor sucker who got flambe'd for originally saying that it didn't do ignition control was quite correct.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"

Will it read slashdot to you... by webgit · 2004-09-09 01:41 · Score: 1

... while you're driving, and let you dictate your comments to the car for posting here?

Re:Will it read slashdot to you... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:39 · Score: 1, Funny

Computer, reply to the part where it said
"let you dictate your comments to the car for posting here?"
Hi web get, inn response two your quest yon about post --- HOLY SHIT that was close! Now where was eye? Oh yeah, your post about dictating comments from your car, eyed like too say SCREW YOU TOO, PUNK. Wait! Don't print that part. That was to the other driver. *sigh* What I'm trying to say is we all ready have the technology to dictate from our cars. Inn fact, I'm doing it write now. Unfortunately, the system still has a few issues to work out. Are we there yet? No, just a few more minutes. Now shut up and let me finish this reply. Hey, that's no way to talk to my kids, Frank. I know, honey. I just get frustrated when I'm in the car. And all of these gadgets confuse me when I'm driving. Check the map and see if we're ... Red light! STOP!! *screeech* *crunch* [No carrier]

Accidents by Zorilla · 2004-09-09 01:41 · Score: 1

Oh, great. Now the Highway Patrol has to worry about attributing car crashes to m 3 ga p3n1le enh4nc3mEnt!!!!11111

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It would be cool if it didn't suck.

Great by tuxter · 2004-09-09 01:41 · Score: 1

Yet another way for me not to be able to escape.

When can I get away? by remin8 · 2004-09-09 01:42 · Score: 2, Funny

Alright, when can we disconnect ourselves from the matrix?

--

"Initial success, or total failure!"
remin8.com

Re:When can I get away? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 02:48 · Score: 0

why oh why didn't i take the BLUE pill

Disconnect! by calypso15 · 2004-09-09 01:45 · Score: 5, Insightful

For the love of god people, disconnect once in a while. I'm all about tech, I do it for a living, but I'm still able to stand being away from my email, cell-phone, and CS long enough to drive from work to home. Heck, I've even been known to enjoy a vacation now and then.

I mean, I know something like this might be more for show than anything. "Oh yeah? Well I can check my email in my CAR sucka!" But, it's just a tad ridiculous.

Re:Disconnect! by penguinoid · 2004-09-09 02:27 · Score: 2, Insightful

Yes, yes, disconnect! Go to a dark, quiet room. Light some candles and sit crosslegged saying "Ommm" and disconnect from the world for at least an hour each day. You know you will feel better for it.</overkill>

Seriously, quit being a karma whore. As you might be aware, most slashdotters don't have a frigging huge computer integrated into their car, and even if they did, they wouldn't need to use it.

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Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
Re:Disconnect! by NanoGator · 2004-09-09 03:19 · Score: 1

"For the love of god people, disconnect once in a while. I'm all about tech, I do it for a living, but I'm still able to stand being away from my email, cell-phone, and CS long enough to drive from work to home. "

And the immediate leap to the conclusion that it's so that people can stay in the loop while driving begins. Never mind that it'd be a useful device for business types who'd want to use it while sitting at the Starbucks parking-lot....

Man I'm so sick of the doom and gloom "People are on the net too much!" posts getting modded to +5. News for Nerds?

--
"Derp de derp."

My car is dyslexic by Timesprout · 2004-09-09 01:45 · Score: 1

you insensitive clod!

--
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe

Just great. by DarkHand · 2004-09-09 01:47 · Score: 4, Funny

Wonderful. Now my car will be calling me Dave.

'Your wife is looking for you, Dave...
You're 6 miles an hour over the speed limit, Dave'
Open the car door, HAL!

Re:Just great. by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 02:09 · Score: 0

But your real name is Rodney?
Re:Just great. by sleighb0y · 2004-09-09 05:27 · Score: 1

Well it won't call you Dave...but..an 84 LeBaron (and other Chryslers from that era) will tell you all sorts of wonderful things:

"A Door Is Ajar"
"Please Fasten Your Seatbelt"........"Thank You"

Ahhhh..a car that really cares!

Whats next? by CrypticSpawn · 2004-09-09 01:47 · Score: 1

Will I be able to read my mail while I am in the bathroom while I crap, oh sorry, I guess you can in France, they even have this nice water that shoots up your arse so you don't have to use paper. Okay the car thing isn't that bad then.

Re:Whats next? by nkh · 2004-09-09 01:53 · Score: 0

I guess you can in France, they even have this nice water that shoots up your arse so you don't have to use paper.

It's in Japan, not in France...
Re:Whats next? by REBloomfield · 2004-09-09 02:18 · Score: 1

erm, no it's in france too....., and italy....
Re:Whats next? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 02:18 · Score: 0

France had it before Japan did.
Re:Whats next? by DrCash · 2004-09-09 02:30 · Score: 1

Not France (or Italy), but in Britain? It's the iLoo! And who is trying to get this off the ground? None other than our good ol' friends at Micro$oft!
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/05/14/microsoft_ iloo_was_no_hoax/

Mail carriers & AOL by Himring · 2004-09-09 01:47 · Score: 3, Funny

This could be a bad thing for the postal system if it makes it into USPS vehicles. Imagine a postal worker who uses AOL, driving around hearing, "you got mail!" all day. Talk about "going postal...."

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"All great things are simple & expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." --Churchill

Whats the Point??? by ShroomSolo · 2004-09-09 01:48 · Score: 1

you can build a shuttle for like 1/4 the price... Plus stay away from the M$ which could probably be hacked to take control of your car!

Re:Whats the Point??? by BLKMGK · 2004-09-09 02:46 · Score: 1

Hacked to take control of your car?! Get a grip. what connection exactly will it use to take over the car - the power wires. Is the sky falling yet?

--
Build it, Drive it, Improve it! Hybridz.org
Re:Whats the Point??? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:40 · Score: 0

The point is to get a Shuttle PC to work in a car you'd need an DC to AC power inverter. Not a messey solution, but not very power friendly either. See, your computer runs on DC power as does your car, but the power supply that Shuttle uses is designed to work with AC input. So it'd be DC to AC to AC to DC, and since neither power inverters or pc power supplies are %100 efficient, your loosing power in each step. You could use a DC to DC power conditioner w/ that shuttle case, but it might not even work with the MB.

Ok, that's just the first problem, there's also shock protection, for all those bumpy roads, interface, either touch pannel LCD or syth voice, your shutdown and bootup off the ignition, and heat.

Notice how they only sell the CarBot w/ a 600MHz or 1GHz proc? Probally due to heat/power more so than cost.

/.'ed by tuxter · 2004-09-09 01:48 · Score: 2, Funny

Car - would you like me to browse the web? Me - Shut up Car - Opening favourites Me - shut up! Car - Opening link to /. article Me - Noooooo! Car grinds to halt with "404" displaying on dash

Great!!! by brxndxn · 2004-09-09 01:49 · Score: 1, Funny

Now my car is going to tell me that my penis is too small... and to think, I bought my car to compensate!

--
--- We need more Ron Paul!

Good Step Forward.. by HungSoLow · 2004-09-09 01:52 · Score: 1

Good to hear that the email is read to you. It's bad enough when people drive using their cell-phones, I can't imagine someone reading their email while driving.

It's interesting that this was mentioned today; On my way to work this morning, I saw someone reading a book while they were driving!! Kid in the backseat too... These people will only learn when it's too late.

Re:Good Step Forward.. by somegeekgirl · 2004-09-09 01:58 · Score: 1

My personal favorites are the cars swerving all over the highway, the only thing visible behind the windshield the back of XYZ City map...

--
http://angel.merseine.nu - Stuff for the poet, diva, geek, romantic and angel in all of us.
Re:Good Step Forward.. by colinleroy · 2004-09-09 02:54 · Score: 1

These people will only learn when it's too late.

I think it's called 'Natural selection'... (the only problem with the 'Car' mode of natural selection being that it sometimes selects innocent bypassers at the same time)

--
blah

Atlanta Traffic... by Glove+d'OJ · 2004-09-09 01:53 · Score: 2

My guess is that you don't live in a large metro area... some people where I work drive for over an hour each way in traffic, to get to their job. Being able to check email and hit hotspots to actually be a little productive along the way would make their lives much easier.

Now, I am not saying that the driver would be typing out emails on 285W, but getting up to date on what happened over the evening and so far this morning could definitely give someone the edge.

And think of the MP3 Library a 60GB HDD could hold!

Re:Atlanta Traffic... by Jaysyn · 2004-09-09 03:04 · Score: 1

But my 45 minute drive to work is where I get away from all the damn gadgets to start with! ;)

(about 8000 songs, extrapolating from the size & content of my library)

Jaysyn

--
There is a war going on for your mind.

Oh great ... by NattyDread · 2004-09-09 01:53 · Score: 2, Funny

Now I will have to listen to my car telling me my life needs viagra ...

--
Maybe the rain Isn't really to blame. So I'll remove the cause, But not the symptom!

Re:Oh great ... by colinleroy · 2004-09-09 02:56 · Score: 1

Now I will have to listen to my car telling me my life needs viagra ...

Oh, at first I read 'my wife'. That was disturbing.

--
blah

Email is not meant to be real-time by FunWithHeadlines · 2004-09-09 01:53 · Score: 5, Insightful

There has been a disconnect occurring with regard to email in recent years. With the proliferation of Blackberry type devices, and the ever-present need of middle managers to feel important, email has been turned into a real-time form of communication. "Hey, I just sent you an email, didya get it?" "Hey, why haven't you answered my email yet?"

This is all wrong. Email is designed specifically to be the form of communication that lets you control when you read it. It's designed around you, not you around it. If you need to reach somebody immediately, use the phone -- that's what it's for.

So having your car read you email is really only useful for a tiny subset of the population. For the rest it's just another way to distract yourself from your own thoughts while driving, or a way to make yourself feel important, or a way to harass your underlings at work ("Jenkins, I just got your email, and that's not at all the way I wanted you to proceed on that project!").

Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by direwolf+puppy · 2004-09-09 02:12 · Score: 3, Interesting

There is another way I've noticed email being used, though, and that is when you want a "written" record of a conversation that you couldn't get with a phone conversation. Those same middle managers that you talk about are the ones most interested in having the ability to pull up an old email (out of their 5 GB mailbox) and say "see, the vendor told me this, it's not my fault". It is the classic "no one ever got fired for buying Microsoft" argument, and that is why they think it should be realtime; because in their mind it is replacing the phone, not memos.

--

You rush a Miracle Man, you get rotten miracles - Miracle Max, TPB
Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by FunWithHeadlines · 2004-09-09 02:46 · Score: 1

That's a very good point. In fact, I use my email that way too, to have a permanent record of business decisions I can refer back to if needed. So yes, you're right, it probably is replacing the phone in people's minds. 'Get it in writing' is the mindset.
Still, no reason why it has to be a real-time communication form. You cannot assume that someone is a) at their desk at that moment; b) not too busy doing work to read their email at that moment. Of course, they do assume such things all the time, but I'm talking about what should be done.
Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by Loco3KGT · 2004-09-09 02:48 · Score: 1

I am sooo glad someone else thinks this. You know I remember back on IRC 10 years ago when someone could send you a message and it was completely acceptable if you got back to them within the next hours or maybe even days.

Why?

BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE LIVES.

At college (been out less than a year)... if I didn't have an away message up everyone assumed I wouldn't respond immediately. And God forbid you walk away from your computer to do something else without putting up an away message in AIM. I couldn't begin to count the fights I had with girlfriends and "discussions" I had with friends. My response was always "Just because it is called "instant messaging" does not in any way imply "instant response."" I never won the arguments/discussions though.

--
Blessed be he who reads this post, Cursed be he who tells my boss.
Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by buck_wild · 2004-09-09 13:46 · Score: 1

"...or a way to harass your underlings at work ("Jenkins, I just got your email, and that's not at all the way I wanted you to proceed on that project!")."

I hate to nitpick, but if Jenkins reports to me or I'm his direct customer...how is that harassing Jenkins? Sounds to me like I'd be saving either/both of us time and headaches. If you were Jenkins, wouldn't you want to know ASAP? What if I waited until you were done, or worse...until your performance review?

--
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by FunWithHeadlines · 2004-09-09 13:52 · Score: 1

Valid point, but what I meant is the type of clueless manager who finds fault even with the good stuff, just so he can throw his weight around and make people jump. Jenkins probably did a bang-up job, but the manager has to meddle anyway.
Re:Email is not meant to be real-time by buck_wild · 2004-09-13 13:00 · Score: 1

Agreed. Hopefully Jenkins doesn't have a Pointy-Haired-Boss.

--
If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

OnStar does this already by sjf · 2004-09-09 01:54 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's fine if you don't get much email, but for real world use, speech synthesis and voice recognition are an useless interface for email.

-S

Damn paperclip by Zorilla · 2004-09-09 01:54 · Score: 3, Funny

Next thing you know, you'll be driving around with your wife and kids in the car (I know, I know, what's a "wife") in broad daylight when suddenly the car blurts out, "Looks like you're trying to drive to the porno shop! Would you like me to provide directions to The Nipple Factory?"

--

It would be cool if it didn't suck.

Re:Damn paperclip by wattersa · 2004-09-09 14:13 · Score: 1
Amazon.com email:
"Here are some product recommendations based on your past purchases at amazon.com:
- Lil' Partner adult play doll, just $19.95!
- Captain America-theme vibrating pleasure toy, $26.95 each-- save and buy two for $39.95 like you did with your set of "Booty Commander" role-play outfit!
- KY Jelly, bulk "industrial" packs for $0.50 per tube. Great deal!
Would you like to see more recommendations for your selected purchase circle, "Self-described Middle Aged Nympho Dads?"

the wife wouldn't talk to you for a while after that one (if she weren't in on it, of course ;-)

Pah... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 01:54 · Score: 0

no one is reading my email, even I don't read it...

Linux project? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 01:56 · Score: 1, Informative

quote from site:
A. While CarBot uses unique hardware and software, it is essentially an Intel motherboard running Windows XP. You can install any software on CarBot, so long as it is compatible with Windows XP - just remember that software changes are made at your own risk, so please exercise care and caution if you choose to do so!

Anyone know if there is allready a linux project for this? Like MythTV but then with car options.

Re:Linux project? by Chop · 2004-09-09 02:29 · Score: 2, Informative

Yep, search the software forum on Mp3car.com for linux and you should get at least two hits. Also you can check out the following sites:
thexcar.com or DashPC

Chop
"You must be new here."

Vitals Missing from the Spec Sheet? by xxxJonBoyxxx · 2004-09-09 02:01 · Score: 2, Interesting

Vitals Missing from the Spec Sheet? What are the approved heat/cold and humidity ranges for the "CarBot"? I didn't see those on the "Spec Sheet"...

Not Impressed by hotspotbloc · 2004-09-09 02:06 · Score: 4, Insightful

I'm sorry, I'm not. For $1450.00USD you get a VIA Epia-M motherboard, 256M RAM, 20G HD, 802.11g adapter and a GPS receiver. Kinda pricey. Buy the screen from them and add $420USD. IMO it's a nice DIY project but not a very good finished product.

The other complaint is with using MS WinXP Home. While XP is fine on a system with a standard keyboard and mouse it's hardly the best interface for a car. At least go with XP Pro so you can RDP into it for updates, repairs, etc.. This really calls for a semi customized OS and GUI (GNU/Linux or *BSD and X) with a tightly integrated voice control system. I don't want mess with a trackpad while driving.

I think a well crafted "car pc" would be nice and would sell. The CarBot, while nice and on par with some other DIY car computers it's nothing special.

--
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity but they've always worked for me" - HST

Re:Not Impressed by Lumpy · 2004-09-09 02:21 · Score: 1

Problem #1

there is NO navigation software for Linux. Yes I know about GPS drive, that can not do any navigation it just looks pretty... real navigation tells me to "turn right in 1000 feet and continue west on lower wacker drive, the next turn will be to the left"

until we get a few people together to make a navigation system linux is really not a part of the car-computer scene... and that sucks. One critical app is missing and nobody is working on it.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Re:Not Impressed by jubei · 2004-09-09 04:50 · Score: 1

Yes, there is a lack of naviagation software for linux, but do you use such software anyway? I have found computer navigation to be lacking (ever try to follow mapquest's directions?), and generally don't have a problem with eyeing a map and finding a good route.

Once you know where you are going, things like GPS Drive are great.
Re:Not Impressed by Skraggy · 2004-09-15 22:23 · Score: 1

Also Infomap Navigator found at http://www.directions.ltd.uk/

Does the ticket for Europe and the UK. Yes it is a Windows app, but they have also released a Linux Binary for it.

--
A Skoda is for life, not for casual humour.

Just what I need: by Vorgo · 2004-09-09 02:07 · Score: 1, Redundant

Great. Now I can have my car read me all my important spam:

Dear Vorgo

I am Barrister John peter esq., a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney to Mr. Pitt Tyler , a national of your country...

--
A new feature is just a bug waiting to happen. And vice versa.

Um, which way is left again? by jerkychew · 2004-09-09 02:08 · Score: 1

From the caption in the first picture:

Damien Stolarz of CarBot. The equipment can include, from left, a CD changer, CarBot unit and amplifier.

Look at that picture... somebody needs to tell the NYT the difference between right and left.

Re:Um, which way is left again? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:47 · Score: 0

That's stage left
Re:Um, which way is left again? by DeputySpade · 2004-09-09 14:11 · Score: 1

THANK YOU!

I'm glad I was not the only person to notice that. :)

--

This space intentionally left blank

Driving Without Due Care? by Paster+Of+Muppets · 2004-09-09 02:09 · Score: 1

In the UK, would this not count as driving without due care and attention, given that you already are banned from using mobile phones in a vehicle?

--
Due to lack of disk space this user has been discontinued

Re:Driving Without Due Care? by pjt33 · 2004-09-09 02:43 · Score: 1

The fact that a Statutory Instrument was needed to forbid that implies that it isn't automatically driving without due care and attention.
Re:Driving Without Due Care? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 07:04 · Score: 0

To right! Why don't these egg heads come up with stuff that makes driving safer?
Like a colour coded HUD that shows me my speed, the distance to the car in front, red if I'm too near at my current speed. A yellow led that lights up when someone behind me gets too close at the current speed. It could say something like 'Back off ARSEHOLE!'.
On Motorways/Highways this would be invaluable, since SO many people are piss poor at working out how far away that need to be to be able to break in time.
Assuming they are not distracted by listening to a mechanical voice recite a badly spelled email/talking on cell phones/chatting with passengers/banging their head to music/falling asleep.

Big Deal by Lumpy · 2004-09-09 02:12 · Score: 2, Informative

I had a Clarion AutoPC that did that in 1999.

it was expensive as hell as it used a special pager module to recieve the email and then you can send back canned responses (Like a 2 way pager)

the AutoPC has been discontinued for over 2 years now.

--
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.

Exactly what I was thinking by CrazyJim1 · 2004-09-09 02:14 · Score: 1

Thanks for posting that, saved me some typing :P www.geocities.com/James_Sager_PA

--
God spoke to me.

Auto-Trader Quote by Prince+Vegeta+SSJ4 · 2004-09-09 02:18 · Score: 2, Funny

Car: Would you like to check your email today

Driver: Yes

car begins to read emails

Car: You have one new mail message....message one , from autotrader.com. Mr. Smith, your trade in allowance for your current car has been approved in the amount of $1200 as part of a downpayment on a new Dodge Viper, please .#$@Ewfsdfsdf^C^C^C.

Car: What, how could you, and for $1200

Driver: Let me explain...

Car: Hmmm, seems we are driving on a very high bridge.

[Splashing, and exploding sounds]

That's a hell of a case mod by magefile · 2004-09-09 02:19 · Score: 2, Funny

That'd be like calling a new BMW a "carrying case" for an iPod (with an extra pocket for an optional GPS!). Who wrote the article summary?

Hive mind by penguinoid · 2004-09-09 02:20 · Score: 2, Funny

Yes, I was also going to post something about sitting in your car with your S.O. and just as things start to get hot, your car blurts out "V1@GRA! P3N15 3NHANC3M3NT!!! 3 inches GUARANTEED!!!"

All this worrying about the Micro$oft mind-control ray, but perhaps we should be worried about Slashdot mind-control?

--
Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways

G33K my r1d3!!!11!1 by Jakhel · 2004-09-09 02:21 · Score: 2, Funny

I can already smell MTV's next show already in the works. Geek my ride. Old beat up cars that get turned into l33t g33k m0bi1e35!!!1!!11

Xzibit: "So Bob, we took your old 1972 Honda Civic and fixed it up for you, now take a look and tell me what you think"

Bob: "I can't believe it!! It's got the crunk WIFI in the ceiling!! QWERTY keyboards in the headrests!!! Flat screens in the dashboards!!! And oooh shit, is that an Opteron in the trunk?!? It runs linux?!? OMGWTFBBQ!!!
I still won't be able to get a date, but at least now I can play CS while I drive! Thanks Xzibit!!

reading email while driving? by DrCash · 2004-09-09 02:25 · Score: 2, Funny

The thought of a car reading my email (er, spam?) to me while driving is rather frightening. I'm not so sure I really want to have a dry, monotonous, computer voice reading the text of a p0rn spam email to me while driving (heck, I don't think I'd want this even if I wasn't driving!!).

Re:spreadin' the OT GMail love by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 02:28 · Score: 0

Well the Mods don't appreciate my help (and smite me instead of ignoring me!), but I'm glad others do.

-Robert

Re:Or... Use McCartney's car from 1984 by cbelt3 · 2004-09-09 02:36 · Score: 1

Give my Regards to Broad Street As I recall, they had a movie related contest where someone 'won' the car with the built in computer... I wonder what happened to it...

Why do we do this to ourselves? by Cartridge+P.+Grover · 2004-09-09 02:43 · Score: 2, Insightful

We MUST be connected. We must be reachable at all times, under all circumstances. Why, why why? I don't think it has anything to do with your friends or your family or your business. I think people do it because we can, mainly, and because we like gadgets. But once the honeymoon with your new gadget is over, you're a slave to it. The gadget wants attention. The gadget needs a recharge. The gadget needs a patch. The gadget is obsolete. You know what? Let the gadget die.

Re:Why do we do this to ourselves? by raind · 2004-09-09 02:55 · Score: 1

Right on!( as we surf /. )

--
Get up!

? about the mini-box by BLKMGK · 2004-09-09 02:44 · Score: 1

Runs embedded Linux. They will SELL you a copy of it. I see nothing on the site about sharnig the source modifications and NOTHING about GPL. I'm no Linux wiz here but umm - isn't something missing ala Linksys here?

The MediaBoxOS distribution is a royalty free software package which means you can build/distribute as many copies as you want.

Their screenshot shows Apache, Joe, and a few other OSS packages ready to install. Hrm, have I overlooked something?

--
Build it, Drive it, Improve it! Hybridz.org

Could be worse.... by raehl · 2004-09-09 02:45 · Score: 3, Funny

"Hello Officer!"

"Free Underage Girls!"

"Sir, could you please step out of the car?"

"That was the car talking, I swear!"

--
paintball

Re:Could be worse.... by EvilAlien · 2004-09-09 05:06 · Score: 1

I'd like the car to respond to questions such as "Do you know why I've stopped you, Sir?" with answers like "Because you think I have donuts?".
I'd also like the car to come with a neuralizer feature for those situations.

--
perl -e 'print $i=pack(c5, (41*2), sqrt(7056), (unpack(c,H)-2), oct(115), 10)'
Re:Could be worse.... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 05:44 · Score: 0

You think that's bad, but what about when it starts asking him about his small penis after that? :/

Leave messages by owlstead · 2004-09-09 03:08 · Score: 1

Lets hope that they default to leave messages on server (as most mail clients don't). Otherwise you will have to walk to your car to get the messages you received while driving...

Fark by Reducer2001 · 2004-09-09 03:12 · Score: 1

The title of this article sounds like the second sentence in a Fark.com headline.

--
When you get to hell -- tell 'em Itchy sent ya!

Dyslexic by pete-classic · 2004-09-09 03:14 · Score: 1

I'm pretty sure whoever labeled the picture at the top is dyslexic, or doesn't know his right from his left.

That or they made a CD changer that looks exactly like an amp, and an amp that looks just like a CD changer.

-Peter

Re:Dyslexic by DrWhizBang · 2004-09-09 04:34 · Score: 1

My right, your left ;-)

--
Schrodinger's cat is either dead or really pissed off...

Uh oh... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 03:15 · Score: 0

The voice came from the Dodge Caravan's radio, but was generated by CarBot, a Windows XP computer underneath the passenger seat.

Cars crash enough as it is without having Windows installed on them...

Temperature handling... by AchilleTalon · 2004-09-09 03:23 · Score: 2, Interesting

I wonder how this thing will handle winter temperature here. It is not unusual to have some days and nights the mercury going -25 C and even -30 C.

And what about closed windows during an extra-hot summer day with the mercury going 40 C? Passive cooling is likely to not work at all.

--
Achille Talon
Hop!

Perfect by JavaRob · 2004-09-09 03:38 · Score: 3, Funny

::: whoosh whoosh :::
KIT: Michael, I couldn't help but notice...

Knight: What's that, Kit? Speak up, now -- we've got a busy day ahead of us!

KIT: Well, Michael, you seem to be getting quite a lot of unusual spam lately. Perhaps -- ::: whoosh whoosh :::

KIT: Perhaps you've been spending a little too much of the Foundation's research funding on, well, unorthodox internet research?

Knight: Oh, come on now --

KIT: Let me be completely honest with you, Michael -- I've been doing some research of my own, thanks to the new wireless module you installed last week. First of all, let me say that my infrared sensors inform me that your genitalia is within the parameters of normality for a man of your size, according to recent medical databases. Second, I happened to run across some photos of a stripped-down '79 Thunderbird that... well, raised some questions about the programming of my human emotion emulation chip. I experienced a... startling reaction to the graphical data, Michael. ::: whoosh whoosh :::

Is that a song? by mnemotronic · 2004-09-09 03:48 · Score: 2, Funny

That title "Your Car Is Reading Your Email" has a vaguely Tom-Waits-ish feel to it, and reminded me of his song "The Piano Has been drinking". (Lyrics at bottom) so I was inspired to cobble together this little diddy:

My Car Is Reading My Email
pm thompson

My car is reading my email, my washer is off sending spam. My VCR knows the washer and car, it's erasing the audit trail. My iPod is copying DVDs, and ignoring those digital rights. My toilet is tanking my bank account at on-line gambling sites. My cell phone plays Doom till the sun comes up, then dials 911. My blender's a poster of pix of the toaster doin' the freezer goats.ex. The heater's been hacked, (those Russians can't be tracked) The stove is blue screen (you know what I mean) The dryer is stuck playing Solitare. It won't get hot. It won't blow air. And my wristwatch? Well, it's downloading porn.

Lyrics from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/tom-waits/138944.html ),

The piano has been drinking, my necktie is asleep And the combo went back to new york, the jukebox has to take a leak And the carpet needs a haircut, and the spotlight looks like a prison break And the telephone's out of cigarettes, and the balcony is on the make And the piano has been drinking, the piano has been drinking... And the menus are all freezing, and the light man's blind in one eye And he can't see out of the other And the piano-tuner's got a hearing aid, and he showed up with his mother And the piano has been drinking, the piano has been drinking As the bouncer is a sumo wrestler cream-puff casper milktoast And the owner is a mental midget with the i.q. of a fence post 'cause the piano has been drinking, the piano has been drinking... And you can't find your waitress with a geiger counter And she hates you and your friends and you just can't get served without her And the box-office is drooling, and the bar stools are on fire And the newspapers were fooling, and the ash-trays have retired 'cause the piano has been drinking, the piano has been drinking The piano has been drinking, not me, not me, not me, not me, not me

--
The Russians have won. They have made the world a cesspool of distrust, greed, fear and hate.

Yes by britneys+9th+husband · 2004-09-09 03:49 · Score: 1

You do need an additional plugin, which I STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE YOU IDIOT just got done installing. It's kind of OH SHIT nice, except there's no LOOK WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU ALMOST HIT ME backspace function. They need to work on this because right now WHY ARE YOU BRAKING the comments end up full of off topic OH SHIT OH SHIT

Damn, that guy's front seat is full of empty Budweiser cans. What's the number for the highway patrol? Oh wait, I should end that slashdot comment I was writing.

end comment

--
Hear recorded Slashdot headlines on your phone! New service beta testing. Just call (248) 434-5508

Social engineering hacks by GQuon · 2004-09-09 04:01 · Score: 1

Some of the spam could partially stopped with a filter at your ISP, or your own mailserver for us big geeks.

I see much more potential for social hacking from digrunteled acquaintances. Imagine getting an email like this one and having it read out by the car:

From: Darl

Hi, John. Just wanted to remind you that you still haven't given back the woodchipper. ..,.,.
End of message,.,.

Low fuel! Low fuel!
Fuel meter disabled.
Low fuel!
Engine failure imminent.....
.
.
.
Fire! Fire! Abandon vehichle! Explosion alert! Explosion alert! Abandon vehichle!

New Email received.

From: Lisa
It's over. I'm going to stay with Darl.

The computer then reads out "End of message" while you're running out of the car, going "WTF?!?!!1"

BTW: I think there might be a need to disable the screen while there's only one person in the car and it's moving. Reading a computer screen down on the consolle while steering the car would lead to accidents, I think. Even when projecting the screen on the windshield, it should show as little distracting information as possible.

--
Irene KHAAAAAAN!

*ahem* by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 04:14 · Score: 0

MY car will be reading YOUR email.

Illegal in some states by marco0009 · 2004-09-09 06:12 · Score: 4, Informative

Some states (such as Texas, where I live) have laws against display devices being the the drivers field of view unless they are used to display driving information (such as speed, fuel, etc.) Check your state laws before you run out and mod yoru car (or pay to have it modded) as I was hasseled by my local police, even though my 7" screen displays driving information, but I happened to be running WinAmp with MilkDrop at the time I was pulled over.

--
Physics makes the world go 'round.

Re:Illegal in some states by Mazem · 2004-09-09 08:30 · Score: 1

What about displays that show the current radio station or CD track that you are listening to?

Whitelist yourself by zoloto · 2004-09-09 06:32 · Score: 1

I whitelist individuals.

Family, wife, kids, mom & dad (not the annoying kind) and a few select friends. Everyone else takes the back seat when it comes to online, email, IM, even slashdot pals. Those on the whitelist don't abuse it b/c they know it's for important things or emergencies. Kids.. well, they're another story but that's why you raise them correctly, right?

it's about controlling your enviroment, not your enviroment controlling you. you can learn to unplug, and for those of us that enjoy the convienence without the hassel of EVERYONE else being able to, at a whim, call us... well - learn to control IT, and not the other way around.

It's simply a state of mind many people don't understand.

Re:Whitelist yourself by 16K+Ram+Pack · 2004-09-09 14:10 · Score: 1

I had a conversation with a person sometime after I had pressed the "off button" when the phone was ringing. They were like "why didn't you answer it" and I was like "because I was too busy to talk to you"
They were quite put out. My attitude to phones is this... it's my phone. There's an answerphone on it for you to use (of course, if I am on call, then I'm on call, but that's not on call to everyone).
I like to have my phone on at all times in case of something urgent, but sometimes I'll screen it down to just family and very close friends. And then sometimes I'll just ask if it's urgent and hang up if not.

For $1450 it had better preform sex acts by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 06:55 · Score: 0

as well as read e-mail.

"Slashdot:, " pater@slashd by Tired_Blood · 2004-09-09 09:18 · Score: 1

Amusing sidelines: note the /. reference in the images in the article...

Checking the UID (206618), this is one VERY quiet individual.

But the thing I find weird is that pater (without writing any comments or journal or anything) somehow has a fan. I guess they know each other offline.

While on the topic of UIDs, what's with 31337 and 666?

--
This is not my sig.

boring by Anonymous Coward · 2004-09-09 10:31 · Score: 0

what's next, a car with an mp3 player? Oh my

My car may not read my email by c01100011 · 2004-09-09 14:28 · Score: 1

but my coffee maker reads slashdot

Slashdot Mirror

Your Car Is Reading Your Email

143 comments