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The World's Most Devious Alarm Clock

wired_parrot writes "If you have trouble waking up, try this: MIT media lab has created an alarm clock that, when you press the snooze bar, runs off into a corner, a different hiding place every day. Try hitting the snooze bar again now!"

81 of 639 comments (clear)

  1. The typical things Slashdot users will say: by RaguMS · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Just don't press the snooze button and keep your current alarm clock!"

    "Why not just get up when the alarm goes off the first time? I always wake up and face the day with a smile."

    "I disabled the snooze button on my clock so I always have to get up"

    1. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Why do they need to complicate something as simple as an alarm clock? All I want is something to wake me up in the morning!!!!!!!!! Despite being a 'nerd' that regularly posts on Slashdot, I'm suddenly a minimalist because being contrarian earns me insightful mods!"

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Seumas · · Score: 1, Funny

      Here are some other typical things Slashdot users will say:

      * I already saw this on Fark yesterday.
      * I even heard it on a local talk radio show yesterday.
      * I also heard it on George Noorey (CoastToCoastAM/Art Bell) lastnight.

    3. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by ikkonoishi · · Score: 5, Funny

      I replaced my snooze button with a small perl script.

    4. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Wavicle · · Score: 5, Funny

      Boot into single user mode, using a kernel >= 2.6.9, use vi and edit /etc/conf.d/alarm changing snooze from "1" to "0" for AlarmClock 1.1 and later. AlarmClock 1.0 works with kernel 2.4 but doesn't contain a snooze option, however the snooze has been back ported to AlarmClock 1.0 with the CloxSnooze patch, but then you must edit /usr/share/AlarmClock/config and add the option "snoozeParm = true" and "snooze = no" between the "UseGMT" and "LEDDisplay" options.

      Everyone knows that.

      --
      Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.
      Edward Everett (1794 - 1865)
    5. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Surazal · · Score: 2, Funny

      I replaced the guy who invented the small Perl script to replace the snooze button with a small Perl script.

      --
      --- Journals are boring; Go to my web page instead
    6. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by AndroidCat · · Score: 3, Funny
      "I see you're trying to wake up. Would you like me to fsck off, keep chattering, read you the news, read you the weather, read you a daily fortune cookie, or let you go back to sleep and snooze? Note that the snooze feature is only available to registered users. You can register right now for only $49.95 via Palpal or credit card and I will stop talking. Please groan or scream to accept this transfer from your account or I ... Thank you. Would you like to purchase the extended warranty...?"

      (Did you think I was kidding? Bwahahaha!)

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    7. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Heem · · Score: 5, Funny

      1)In Korea, only old people use robotic alarm clocks

      2)In Soviet Russia, You run away from alarm clock.
      3) ??
      4) Profit!

      --
      Don't Tread on Me
    8. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by crummynz · · Score: 2, Funny

      * Plus I read it on Slashdot yesterday!

      --
      ~ Crummy
    9. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by ikkonoishi · · Score: 5, Funny

      In Soviet Russia programmers replace Perl scripts with you!

    10. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by eremitic · · Score: 3, Funny

      "So I messed around with it for a bit and now it boots Linux!"

      --
      Warning: Could be fatal if taken seriously
    11. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Zemran · · Score: 2, Funny

      'I need an alarm clock that is trained in the art of self defence'...

      --
      I love stacking my barbecues in the shed at the end of summer - you can't beat a bit of grill on grill action.
    12. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Seumas · · Score: 5, Funny

      In Soviet Russia, SNOOZE button hits YOU!

      (was that already done? I hope not...)

    13. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Jose · · Score: 4, Funny

      I was replaced by a small perl script, so I have no reason to get up anymore you insensitive clod!

      --
      The basic sleazeware produced in a drunken fury by a bunch of UCBerkeley grad students was still the core of BIND. --PV
    14. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by MrAndrews · · Score: 4, Funny

      I used to do that trick too until my wife realized she could just slam the lid on the PB shut and achieve the same basic effect.

      However, I then found that the sudden dread that she might've smashed the crap out of my $5000 laptop made me get up right quick.

    15. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by darkpixel2k · · Score: 3, Funny

      The first time that bastard clock tried to hide, I'd find it and rip it's wheels off for waking me up.

      During the whole de-wheeling process I would have a grin on my face...because I'm a morning person.


      ...then I'd crawl back in bed.

      --
      There's no place like ::1 (I've completed my transition to IPv6)
    16. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Zapman · · Score: 2, Funny

      The sad thing is that someone will probably use your post as a design document...

      --
      Zapman
    17. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by Uber+Banker · · Score: 2, Funny

      Exactly.

      Not only is the technology overcomplicated, but the life of the clock is only 4 days for most non-MIT mortals:

      From TFS "when you press the snooze bar, runs off into a corner, a different hiding place every day". Now my bedroom has only four corners, this may be fine for MIT folks with their new buildings, but what use is it for me! I'll have to move bedroom every fifth day!

      As a side note, it would be interesting if the clock could move in 3 dimensions... in 2 dimensions our random paths are always bound to meet, but in 3D it could provide me with an infinite amount of frustration!

    18. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by cooley · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's better than "Daddy, Look where I went potty!"

      --
      Just then the floating disembodied head of Colonel Sanders started yelling Everything You Know Is Wrong!-Weird Al
    19. Re:The typical things Slashdot users will say: by dcarey · · Score: 2, Funny

      >

      You are telling a crowd of soda drinking, caffiene soap using, programming code monkeys to get some exercise?

      Good luck with that.

      In other news today, a group of lobbyists confronted to the pope, asking him to be less Catholic.

      --

      -- (Score:i , Imaginary)

  2. You know . . . by lavaface · · Score: 5, Funny

    It wouldn't take me long before I broke that fucker's legs off (no, I didn't RTFA but I'd bust it's wheels if that be the case)

    1. Re:You know . . . by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nahh...

      I had a "baseball" alarm clock in the 80's. the only way to hit snooze was to throw it. next time the alarm went off you HAD to get out of bed to hit it, and that typically would wake you enough to stay up.

      Unless you left your bedroom door open and you threw it out into the hall where it rolled downstairs and you finally woke 2 hours later after 1st period exams were finished....

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. Luckily my Boss doesn't read slashdot by Jjeff1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or I'd have 9 of these things roaming my house.

    1. Re:Luckily my Boss doesn't read slashdot by MXK · · Score: 1, Funny

      Oh, but I do...

  4. Fantastic by exley · · Score: 2, Funny

    Should I buy myself one of these, this means I just end up finding a way to fall back asleep with an obnoxious sound coming from some random corner of the room every day.

    Maybe if the clock rolled its way onto my bed and started harassing me that might do the trick, but I'm far enough from being a morning person that having the alarm going off won't stop me from snoozing, no matter where it is or how long it keeps going.

    1. Re:Fantastic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      rolled its way onto my bed and started harassing me that might do the trick

      For shame! Clocky is not that kind of clock!

  5. My universal snooze button: by earthforce_1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/det ail.asp?cat_id=535&type_id=973&cat=001C

    --
    My rights don't need management.
  6. It would never make it by strateego · · Score: 5, Funny

    My room has so much crap in the corners anyway, the thing would never make it. I can't even get to the corners of my room.

  7. Wait by killa62 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't get it, why don't they just make it roam around before the alarm sounds...
    That way, you don't get a chance to hit the snooze button.
    Heh, or make it run around WHEN it's alarm is on..
    That would be very annoying and would wake you up faster with moving sound

  8. Heh, annoying alarm clocks.. by Eric(b0mb)Dennis · · Score: 3, Funny

    The more annoying the alarm clock, the eaiser they tend to... mysteriously break...

    I reckon this here alarm clock would mysteriously shatter into many pieces after one to many attempts to try and hit the snooze button again

    --
    Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
  9. Great... by grasshoppa · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who was it that said, "Those who fight and run away live to fight another day"?

    Seems strangly apt here.

    --
    Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
  10. They'd be wise not to include a warranty by Illserve · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can guarantee I'd be bringing it in for repairs every day.

    Me: "It uh... broke"
    Clockly Repair Man: "it rather looks as if it was smashed with a hammer, repeatedly"
    Me: "well it fell... into... a bag of hammers"

  11. Thank you, MIT. by jesdynf · · Score: 5, Funny

    You've now created a robot that opposes the will of carbon-based lifeforms by design.

    It's sole purpose, bringing suffering to humanity.

    AND THEN YOU BOOBY-TRAPPED THE OFF SWITCH.

    Buncha friggin' geniuses./P

    --
    Yahoo! Pipes are awesome. How awesome? http://pipes.yahoo.com/jesdynf/slashdot
  12. Prior art. by merdaccia · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have the same problem with my girlfriend. If I make any attempt to touch her in the morning, she runs off and I can't find her the rest of the day.

    --

    *blinking cursor*

    1. Re:Prior art. by uncqual · · Score: 4, Funny

      Your probably touching the wrong button.

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    2. Re:Prior art. by merdaccia · · Score: 3, Funny

      How many buttons are there?! Damnit, now I have to RTFM.

      --

      *blinking cursor*

    3. Re:Prior art. by uncqual · · Score: 2, Funny

      What, there's a manual? Pls post a link (I've been working by trial and error for 25 years - what a waste of time).

      --
      Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
    4. Re:Prior art. by natrius · · Score: 4, Funny
      $ man woman
      No manual entry for woman

      I think you're screwed.
  13. Re:I don't need it if .. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    yea she looks pretty hot, but remember, not matter how beautiful she is, someone somewhere is tired of putting up with her BS, so go for it.

  14. Cheaper alternatives are available by Helpadingoatemybaby · · Score: 4, Funny
    This is a complicated solution. The easy method is to simply tie your alarm clock around the body of your sleeping cat.

    Not only will you not hit the snooze button, but you get to hear the doppler effect each morning!

    --

    The baby's fine -- please stop sending business cards.

    1. Re:Cheaper alternatives are available by Illserve · · Score: 5, Funny

      What kind of ninja are you that you can tie something to a sleeping cat?

  15. Lawsuit waiting to happen... by uncqual · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sooner or later one of these will crawl off into a traffic path and the alarm's owner (stumbling out of the room in a drowsy fog) will trip over it and break his/her neck. The liability insurance alone will be more than the projected $20 cost!

    --
    Why is there an "insightful" mod and why isn't it "-1"? If I wanted insight, I wouldn't be reading /.
  16. My Alarm Clock by HexaByte · · Score: 5, Funny

    My alarm clock's snooze button only works if you get up and make her a bottle. By that time you're wide awake, but after you feed her SHE goes back to sleep!

    --
    HexaByte - he's a square and a half!
  17. MY room... by nsaneinside · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...only has four corners.

  18. Re:What by Call+Me+Black+Cloud · · Score: 2, Funny


    Perhaps he drives a Sob?

  19. Re:Why hit snooze then? by TWX · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Admittedly I can't see the meat of the article since their site seems to be slashdotted already, but if you got that sort of a negative reinforcement for hitting snooze, why wouldn't you just learn not to hit snooze?"[emphasis mine]

    Like what? Setting it to receive both the conservative talk radio station and the Ranchero music station at the same time?

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  20. Oh My God! by dtfinch · · Score: 2, Funny

    That looks like a domo-kun, but shorter and fatter. I bet I can scare my cats with it.

  21. Ugh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new devious rolling clock overlords.

  22. Holy Crap! by ABeowulfCluster · · Score: 3, Funny

    Could you imagine a Beowulf Cluster of these?

  23. Re:A simpler solution by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wouldn't it be easier to just set the snooze button to give you a slowly increasing electric shock?

    "In this isle we have the Guantonimo Bay model..."

  24. Yeah, I guess Clocky will roll off into the corner by multiplexo · · Score: 2, Funny
    after I press the snooze button, and I guess that after that I'll just have to grab my Taurus .44 Magnum out of the left hand nightstand and pop Clocky with a 240 grain wad cutter.

    --
    cheap labor conservatives - they want to keep you hungry enough to be thankful for minimum wage.
  25. best alarm = glass of water before bed by johnrpenner · · Score: 5, Funny


    if you absolutely HAVE to get up - the most reliable
    alarm clock is a glass of water before bed.
    j.

    1. Re:best alarm = glass of water before bed by Clay+Pigeon+-TPF-VS- · · Score: 5, Funny

      You might just dream you are swimming in a warm ocean. Or hot tubbing. Yeah, hot tubbing...

      --
      Viral software licensing is not freedom, it is in fact GNU/Socialism.
    2. Re:best alarm = glass of water before bed by greyhoundpoe · · Score: 5, Funny

      I can have five glasses of water before bed, wake up, and not notice I have to piss until 3 PM the next day (assuming I wake up early, about 11 AM). Even then I'll wait until 4 PM or 5 PM until I do something about it, even though the bathroom is one door down the hall on the right.

      Wow. In what bizarre alternate universe did you think we'd want to know that?

    3. Re:best alarm = glass of water before bed by scovetta · · Score: 2, Funny

      I can have five glasses of water before bed, wake up, and not notice I have to piss until 3 PM the next day (assuming I wake up early, about 11 AM). Even then I'll wait until 4 PM or 5 PM until I do something about it, even though the bathroom is one door down the hall on the right.

      Thank you Ralph Wiggum.

      --
      Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird. --Nietzsche
  26. Give this woman a job! by buckhead_buddy · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'd really hate to see her hired by Microsoft to come up with the next mobile version of Clippy.

    "You've hit my snooze alarm again and haven't updated to Longhorn service pack 2. It looks like you are in a purely vegetative state; prepare to have your tubes removed."

  27. I hope that clock can move quickly... by PPH · · Score: 2, Funny

    I sleep with a Glock under my pillow. ;-)

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  28. The unperfect alarm clock... by Forbman · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...has got to be a curious 2-6 yr old child.

    First they yell at you. "Daddy, it's time to wake up!"

    Then, they start beating on you.

    Finally, they pry your eyes open.

    Just dandy fun at 6am on a Sat or Sun morning.

  29. The typical things Slashdot users will say... by ImaLamer · · Score: 2, Funny


    ...sleep?

  30. Re:I already have a good solution by geekychic · · Score: 3, Funny

    my solution is my roommate..

    if i hit the snooze button too many times, she takes my covers and occasionally hits me with her pillow.

    it's a good system.

  31. I already have something like that... by triffidsting · · Score: 5, Funny

    I could swear my keychain already exhibits similar behaviour, clearly MIT stole the design from me.

    --
    Non, je ne veux pas coucher avec toi ce soir.
  32. Re:Another solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Nah, too easy ... make it so the user has to enter the prime factors of the multi-digit code.

  33. I have an alarm clock too by Loconut1389 · · Score: 2, Funny

    My alarm clock is almost 6 months old and has piercing tones and a foul odor at random times in the morning. He's guaranteed to wake you up at least 4 hours before you absolutely have to be up.

  34. Bloody annoying! by maadlucas · · Score: 2, Funny
    I thought this one up towards the end of my electronics degree two years ago, except mine was better.

    It was a spherical droid type thing with weights and motors and motion/proximity sensors and all sorts of things inside it, and some way of telling if you were asleep or not.

    As soon as you dropped off, this fucker would run away and hide, rolling over as much junk as possible. When it was time to go off, it would screech with a 120dB siren from a rape alarm, and as soon as it saw you approaching it would try to escape, by thwacking down a pneumatic thingy to jump around the room, possibly attack you, electrocute you, and yes, turning the fucker off was gonna be hard.

    How pissed was i when i read about this in the newspaper the other day. That, and in this thread, everyone else has come up with pretty much the same ideas I did, although 2 years later.

    should have patented that fucker. Has this sort of thing happened to loads of other people here, or am i the only one?

  35. Snooze button? Pah, get a 2 year old by Zerbey · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Daddy. Wake up. Wake up Daddy. Daddy. Wake up.... Wake up! DADDY. DADDY!!!! WAKE UP!!! DA-DEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!... WAKE UP DADDY!!!

    Then, he starts hitting me. I've had my alarm clock disconnected for months. Waste of electricity.

  36. Flawed design by EEBaum · · Score: 2, Funny

    When the alarm clock goes off and the snooze button is pressed, Clocky will roll off the bedside table and wheel away, bumping mindlessly into objects on the floor until it eventually finds a spot to rest.

    My floor? It'll make it all of two feet before getting caught at the Ephel Duath of papers, books, and clothes on the floor.

    Minutes later, when the alarm sounds again, the sleeper must get up out of bed and search for Clocky.

    I think not! They really should look at the habits of people who *need* a devious alarm clock and hurry out an all-terrain model :P

    --
    -- I prefer the term "karma escort."
  37. Obligatory reply by Jeff85 · · Score: 2, Funny

    So would that be a beowulf cluster of Clockys?

    --
    Fetch Text URL - Firefox Extension
  38. Has a Snooze Button Though by Greyfox · · Score: 4, Funny

    You just haven't been hitting it hard enough...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  39. Re:Heh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    > Knowing why should wake up helps deal with the whole snooze problem.

    Day 1:
    {alarm buzzer sounds}
    "You have to go to work!"

    Day 2:
    {alarm buzzer sounds}
    "You have to go to work!"

    Day 3:
    {alarm buzzer sounds}
    "You have to go to work!"

    Day 4:
    {alarm buzzer sounds}
    "You have to go to work!"

    Day 5:
    {alarm buzzer sounds}
    "You have to go to work!"

    Somehow I don't feel that will help me any.

  40. Luckily my wife doesn't read slashdot by Gadzinka · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or I'd have 9 of these things roaming my house.

    Robert

    --
    Bastard Operator From 193.219.28.162
  41. Works exactly once. by skingers6894 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Replace "hit the snooze" to "Jump out of bed a kick the living sh*t out of it"

  42. Re:Alarming alarms by Schreckgestalt · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or this Puzzle Alarm Clock, that will shoot out jigsaw puzzle pieces, and only stop ringing when you found them all and managed to put them back in.

  43. Re:Another option by Rangsk · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd just roll over and pull the sheets over my head. There's no way this would wake me up. I frequently sleep through the real sun shining right into my (closed) eyes. I also sleep perfectly well with the light on.

    When I wake up, I generally have no idea who I am, where I am, what I'm supposed to be doing... I sometimes have the feeling that if I could just get out of bed, things would become more clear, but I can't remember how to do that. I've slept through about anything you can think of, including fire alarms and earthquakes.

    As for naturally waking up with the sun rise, I think my wires are crossed. I generally start getting tired at sunrise, and wake up at sunset.

    My internal clock also likes to play pranks on me. Like if I have something really, really important and I have to be there at 10:00, then I'll sleep through my many alarms and wake up naturally at 10:00 sharp. Except it takes me 30 minutes to actually get there. Gee, thanks internal clock.

    I also can't use any method of tricking myself. I just can't do it. I'm much more witty at finding excuses to stay in bed than I am at tricking myself out of bed. On top of that, if I sleep naturally I frequently sleep for 16 hours straight. I don't even wake up to pee - I manage to hold it in somehow.

    I've seriously run out of options, short of hiring someone to come into my room, drag me out of bed, and stick me into a tub of freezing water. Even then, I'd probably manage to fall asleep in the tub of water.

    --
    "Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose." --Douglas Adams
  44. Re:I already have a good solution by tomjen · · Score: 2, Funny

    For those of you without a girlfriend, attach to strings to the end of your covers, and modify your alarm clock release a tweenty kilo bag of sand attached to the other end of the strings.

    --
    Freedom or George Bush
  45. bathroom dream by Fussen · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or the horrible horrible dream of being in your bathroom taking a whiz.

    Now I have to pinch my leg every time I take a leak JUST to make sure I'm not dreaming of being awake and thinking about dreaming.

  46. Re:I don't need it if .. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Like my daddy always said:
    "I used to have the body of a Greek God, now I have the body of a god damn Greek".

  47. awesome by skudmunky · · Score: 2, Funny

    thats pretty cool. the brilliant minds at mit do it again... now all they need to do is make it make little skittering/whimpering noises after you hit it. -skud

  48. lies, dirty lies by roman_mir · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ok, so I just tried it, I put a glass of water before my bed, but in the morning it didn't even make a sound, you liar!

  49. I have a cheaper... by BuddyJesus · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dawn Simulator. I call it a window.

  50. You missed one by billybob · · Score: 4, Funny

    What about this? kekekeke ^______^

    --
    Joseph?
  51. Re:Hey, it's much bettter... by Wes+Janson · · Score: 2, Funny

    You must be the guy from the Enzyte commercials.