Slashdot Mirror
Spies Riding Shotgun
Slashdot has covered before the proliferation of black boxes - event data recorders - in modern automobiles, that automatically record data about what the car has been doing and make it available after the fact to police, insurance companies, and people suing you - just about everyone except you, in fact. We'll add to that with yet another story about the computerized spy riding shotgun in your new car.
Oh, nothing, except for the fact that it has been reported on Slashdot so many times already that it's hardly news! In fact, it's been reported so many times that posting yet another story on the same subject is already beginning to resemble the story of the boy crying wolf. And all that comes out of this is idiots (like you and me) flaming each other over things that have been discussed so many times before. Now, do you think they really care about this issue? The odds are that some of them do, but most of the readers will simply forget about it in 3...2...1...forgotten.
Hell is not other people; it is yourself. - Ludwig Wittgenstein
For us at least:
If you're reading slashdot you're probably technically-minded. You can build things. Rather than mucking about with trying to hack the black box, I present- THE KIT CAR.
Not only do you get to customize every single detain of one of these vehicles to your own tastes, and not only do the often cost considerably less than a car off the lot but consider the following:
1. You know exactly what your car's electrical system is doing and how it works. If you only want 3 circuits (and plan to use hand signals to turn) you can have only 3 circuits.
2. You can avoid emissions and horsepower limitations (these are imposed at the federal level on manufacturers - build for yourself and you're not regulatable.)
3. You can be selective about the equipment. Not a fan of seatbelts? Don't install them. Don't like the idea of an airbag in the face making you loose control of your car after the first bump in a possible 10 car pile-up? Don't install it. (Drive at your own risk.)
4. It need not look like a jelly bean.
The list goes on, but you get the idea. Just like your software, if you don't want someone sneaking features in - build it yourself.
Trying to use sarcasm in text-based forums does not work.
The reason why they do this is so that police have the ability to selectively enforce the law. Thus, we have phenomenon like "Driving While Black" which will result in a ticket and fine many places in the US.
Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
No offence, but NYC != world
Did you read the post I was replying to? I don't give a shit about the rest of the world because that is not what this discussion is about. We are talking about New York City, you however are apparently telling us people can drive fast in Indiana. No fucking shit.
Read the whole thread before you jump into a discussion and post some sanctimonious bullshit like that.
I don't read or respond to AC posts