Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Mac Security Alarm System

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the get-kicked-out-of-the-office dept.

RogueAce writes "A program named iAlertU sounds a screeching siren when someone attempts to steal your Macbook. Thanks to the sudden motion drop sensors that Macs use to park the hard drive, iAlertU can detect when your Macbook is being picked up, moved or closed. Also, by using the handy remote that comes with the Macbook, you can turn the alarm on and off like you would a car, which the Macbook responds to by making the all too familiar chirping sound and a flash and flicker of the screen. The code behind it is from a guy named Christian Kleins."

183 of 243 comments (clear)

  1. But... by Crasoum · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will people ignore it just like a car alarm?

    1. Re:But... by dteichman2 · · Score: 1

      They come standard... it's a Mac.

      --


      Silence is golden... and duct tape is silver.
    2. Re:But... by Neoprofin · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Probably not until you've heard it for the thousandth time. So the one guy in your office who keeps coming back from lunch and forgetting to turn it off the alarm, will as usual, ruin it for everyone.

    3. Re:But... by springbox · · Score: 1

      I was wondering where the "spinner" got its name from..

    4. Re:But... by Crasoum · · Score: 1

      The irony was that I was being serious :).

      I know better, because if someone's laptop alarm goes off they'll PROBABLY be right by it. It'd get REALLY annoying though, when someone loses their remote and the thing goes off ALL THE TIME!

    5. Re:But... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      What would be cool is if there was a bluetooth device that you kept on your person and when you were out of range the alarm would automatically activate.

    6. Re:But... by fastgood · · Score: 5, Insightful
      the one guy in your office who keeps coming back from lunch and forgetting to turn it off

      Make an audible alarm that only goes off when the patented magnetic power cord is detached (accidental or otherwise).

      * or remotely trigger a second magnet -- hidden in a backpack -- to pull your new $25/ounce toy out of the wrong hands.

    7. Re:But... by onebecoming · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Salling Clicker can do this if you have a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. I'm not sure if there's a built-in proximity alarm, but you can set AppleScripts to run when you go out of range or return.

      Hmm, looks like there's finally a Windows version, too. It's always nice when the best software comes out for Macs first.

      --
      Cripple fight!
    8. Re:But... by modecx · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I'm sure that this could be done pretty easily with any bluetooth phone. That Salling Clicker program can apparently do loads of stuff, like muting the computer audio, or pausing iTunes when you walk away from your computer or even when you answer your bluetooth phone, among the other things it does... If your phone is supported.

      I'd guess that it should be pretty easy to do with any phone that iSync supports. It would be really simple if iSync could run scripts on certian events, though I have no idea if it does.

      --
      Constitutional rights may be respected, repealed, or modified; but they must never be ignored.
    9. Re:But... by onebecoming · · Score: 1

      Actually, I totally agree. I think it's a testimonial to the creativity of Mac developers. I don't know if you'd ever see anything like this written for Windows. :-)

      --
      Cripple fight!
    10. Re:But... by mboverload · · Score: 1

      Windows hardware is much too diverse for anything like this to ever happen.

    11. Re:But... by binkzz · · Score: 2, Funny

      For colleagues we offer the optional iHammer, which offers a revolutionary batteryless alarm disabling system.

      --
      'For we walk by faith, not by sight.' II Corinthians 5:7
    12. Re:But... by BillyBlaze · · Score: 2, Funny

      Slashdot is one of those few places where saying something is "patented" doesn't make it sound cooler.

    13. Re:But... by tsa · · Score: 1

      With genuine leather grip, for only USD 99,-

      --

      -- Cheers!

    14. Re:But... by drspliff · · Score: 2, Funny

      $25/ounce..

      Whoah dude, if I stopped smoking weed for a few months, I'd easily be able to buy one of these little babys (only to get it stolen a few days later).

    15. Re:But... by Mike+Savior · · Score: 1

      That excuse no longer applies nowadays, especially now that Macs are basically on Intel boards. While not all vendors support Mac, it'd cause a small war if every one didn't, so there's still a huge slew of hardware that would work fine for OS X. I can't imagine terribly old hardware working at all, but as long as a board supported EFI, I don't see why an off the shelf copy of OS X wouldn't be installable (in a perfect world).

      --
      space is pretty cool.
    16. Re:But... by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 1

      On the other hand, this alarm is laughably easy to defeat by merely removing the battery from the laptop after disconnecting the AC adapter.

      Whether you're a laptop thief or merely an annoyed cow-orker, this alarm won't really stop you.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
    17. Re:But... by hey! · · Score: 1

      How but a nice cool female voice, repeating, over the alarm sound: "Danger. Autodestruct sequence activated. Clear the area immediately..."

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    18. Re:But... by mboverload · · Score: 1

      No, I was refering to the thosands of PC configurations out there. Even then each of the motion sensors would probably need a different driver and all that crap.

      Anyway, my next laptop is going to be a MacBook with XP on it =)

    19. Re:But... by hmccabe · · Score: 1

      Shit, if I could get weed for $25 per ounce I wouldn't care too much about the computer.

  2. But... by artificialj · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can you get flashy rims on your macbook?

  3. One Tiny Loophole: by dteichman2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What happens if say.... the computer isn't turned on? It's a neat idea, but it has a severe shortcoming. People don't steal computers (usually) while they're still on. They make off with them when you leave the bag unattended.

    --


    Silence is golden... and duct tape is silver.
    1. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by Crazyscottie · · Score: 1

      I imagine it wouldn't be too difficult to somehow trigger it from the BIOS, similar to how you can boot some computers via LAN using a "wake-up" packet.

      --
      Just because it can't be explained doesn't mean it isn't true. Science fits into reality... not the other way around.
    2. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by Lehk228 · · Score: 1, Redundant

      the drop sensor won't be operating while shut down, neither will any programs.

      --
      Snowden and Manning are heroes.
    3. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by tonydiesel · · Score: 5, Informative

      Aah, but see here's a difference for Mac users. Most of us never turn our computers off, we just put them to sleep...

      So, the real question is... what happens when the computer is asleep?? Does it still work?

    4. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by 5plicer · · Score: 1

      Ya, all the thief has to do is take out the battery without jostling the computer in the process of doing so.

      --
      The bits on the bus go on and off... on and off... on and off...
    5. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by havardi · · Score: 1, Informative

      Nope. I think everything shuts down except the memory is kept alive. That's why they can sleep forever, unlike PC laptops that may or may not sleep for very long at all (or wake up for that matter). I've seen a mac sleep for more than a week and still have plenty of juice

    6. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by rm69990 · · Score: 1

      Macs would probably need to get a BIOS before you could do that.....

    7. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by friedmud · · Score: 2, Informative

      Not too deviate too far from the conversation... but all _real_ PC laptops (ie those with mobile chips, not those "desktop replacements") can do this as well...

      My tabletPC _never_ gets turned off... and can sleep for well over a week and still have plenty of juice after a full charge.

      Friedmud

    8. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by tehwebguy · · Score: 1

      don't leave your bag laying around..

      anyway, on campus it would be really nice if i could click a remote and go take a shit without fear that someone would jack my other shit.

      --
      -- lol pwned
    9. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by HAKdragon · · Score: 1

      From what I can tell from playing with it, "Wake on LAN" is just that, it brings the computer out of sleep mode. It won't boot the system if it's shutdown.

      --
      "Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."
    10. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by netsharc · · Score: 3, Interesting

      There are 2 different sleep modes: Suspend To RAM, where the computer is off except for the RAM, which is constantly recharged so it doesn't lose its contents, and Suspend to Disk (the so-called Hibernation in Windows), where the data from RAM is saved to disk, and the computer is really powered off. Both resume where you left off (all applications open, etc), but Suspend to RAM is quicker because it doesn't need to read the data from disk, but STR also eats up the juice because, as I said, the RAM chips need to be constantly supplied with electricity.

      --
      What time is it/will be over there? Check with my iPhone app!
    11. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by jd0g85 · · Score: 1

      Better yet, just hit mute!

      --
      There is no belief, however foolish, that will not gather its faithful adherents who will defend it to the death.-Asimov
    12. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by Basehart · · Score: 1

      Lucky you.

    13. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by romka1 · · Score: 1

      "So, the real question is... what happens when the computer is asleep?? Does it still work?"
       Well do the trees talk when nobody is around?

      --
      Visit my site @ http://www.madtorrent.com
    14. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by thebes · · Score: 1

      No, Wake on Lan can bring a computer out of any state.

    15. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by ediron2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Thinkpads, Dells, Compaqs, sonys, toshibas... In a decade and under five major brands, including the last 4 doing software QA *USING* a lab of several different models of Sony's and Toshibas, I have *YET* to have a stock Windows laptop handle hibernate/awaken 100% properly. Some app or service or driver won't resurface, the machine corrupts a working file every tenth restart, some app starts hemorrhaging memory (forcing a reboot within an hour), rarely the machine locks up completely, or whatever.

      It also takes 3 or 4 times as long to 'reawaken' a hibernated windows PC as my iBook ever needs.

      OSX literally does this so efficiently that when working off battery, I routinely *close* my laptop temporarily for any pause in my work, even if it is just a minute or two.

      That, coupled with enough processing power to do minor video edits, etc and a 6-hour battery life for conservative use (or 4 hrs of DVD-playing) and the computer itself just quietly mocks every other pc-owner in the room when I use it for meetings, conferences, in-flight, etc. I can't count how many times people have asked, muttered, or complained after seeing my iBook. A macBookPro is DEFINITELY in my near-term future.

      Disclaimer: I own some Apple stock. Caveat: I 'switched', and then I bought stock because I was impressed by the above stuff. Curious to fanboy in less than a year.

    16. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by friedmud · · Score: 1

      You are comparing two completely different things.

      I agree with you that Hibernate is pretty crappy... and as you say it doesn't work all the time. But I'm not talking about Hibernate... I'm talking about "Sleep".

      "Sleep"ing is the same thing that macs do... they are still "on" but the hardrive is spun down, all peripherals are powered down and so is the screen. On my laptop the power light blinks while in sleep... just like on a mac.

      It only takes a couple of seconds to recover from this state (just like on a mac)... and it doesn't suffer from the downfalls of hibernate.

      But at any rate... I wasn't trying to take anything away from the mac laptops.... I think they are fine pieces of work and will be most definitely picking up a macbook either towards the end of this year or the beginning of next. All I wanted to point out is that _all_ laptops can sleep and even in the windows/linux world it works well. (also note that since mac laptops are now pc's on the inside... _both_ platforms are "sleep"ing in exactly the same way... but of course OSX probably still handles it better...)

      Friedmud

    17. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by Aqua+OS+X · · Score: 1

      The only time I put my laptop down in a public place is when it is turned on... otherwise it's in my shoulder bag, which I'm wearing.

      All in all, I think this is a really cleaver idea. I see it being especially valuable within academic institutions.

      That said, if you're really concerned about security a lock, although not full proof, is the way to go.

      --
      "Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
    18. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by qzulla · · Score: 1
      What happens if say.... the computer isn't turned on? It's a neat idea, but it has a severe shortcoming. People don't steal computers (usually) while they're still on. They make off with them when you leave the bag unattended.

      Not in San Francisco, apparently.

      qz

    19. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by bizard · · Score: 1

      There is actually a story in today's San Francisco Chronical about exactly that...People in San Francisco are having their MacBooks stolen from them as they work in coffee shops. One guy was even stabbed in the chest as two guys made off with his computer.

    20. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by CableModemSniper · · Score: 1

      Couldn't you just, you know, turn it off instead?

      --
      Why not fork?
    21. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by Squozen · · Score: 1

      The late-2005 PowerBooks (and many of the older laptops with a simple hack) will automatically hibernate if their battery gets too low to maintain them in sleep mode.

      The hack for the older laptops is here. I have no idea if the MacBook Pro will do the same.

    22. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by geodescent · · Score: 1

      Of course, it's way easier to correctly sleep when you only have to code your OS for 1/10th the hardware available in the PC market, half of which doesn't even follow industry standards! It's not that the Mac handles sleep better than a PC. It's that the OS has a rigid acceptance program which ensures the hardware and firmware does what it's supposed to do. Microsoft, on the other hand, seems wont to slap a sticker on anything, so long as you pay them 20 bucks. P.S. I base my above troll entirely on the MSDN "Ready for XP" sticker scam.

    23. Re:One Tiny Loophole: by friedmud · · Score: 1

      Once again... PC laptops do the same.

      In fact my laptop hibernated sometime during the night last night (used it a lot yesterday... never plugged it in). Plugged it in this morning... hit the power switch and it un-hibernated (like I say though, hibernate isn't always trustworthy on PC's and I will grant that...) fine and kept right on rolling.

      You can set all of these settings in the power control panel in XP (although I'm not quite sure how to do it automatically in Linux... I usually don't mess with power management stuff too much in Linux).

      Once again, not trying to be argumentative... but these are _not_ Apple inventions.

      Friedmud

  4. This is going to be obnoxious by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Car alarms are useless enough. Do any of you run to see if a theft is in progress when you hear one? Neither do I, because we've all heard too many of them.

    And people can't even remember to turn off their cell phone ringers. What makes you think they're going to remember to turn off their laptop theft alarms?

    1. Re:This is going to be obnoxious by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Car alarms are useless enough. Do any of you run to see if a theft is in progress when you hear one? Neither do I, because we've all heard too many of them."

      That's a bit of a simplistic view. If my car alarm goes off, I go check on it and make sure somebody hasn't broken a window or something. I've seen others around the complex do this, too. Even if somebody did break into my car and I didn't hear it, they still wouldn't easily be able to start it. When the alarm goes off, it kills the ignition.

      All that said, I can't imagine a would-be car thief trying to steal a car while the alarm's going off. Besides being annoying, I'd be afraid of Mr. Owner showing up with a baseball bat.

      "And people can't even remember to turn off their cell phone ringers. What makes you think they're going to remember to turn off their laptop theft alarms?"

      Heh. Not a great comparison. Everywhere I've worked, especially in cubicle environments, you learn pretty quickly to not be obnoxious with your phone. Maybe people are too polite to raise a fuss when a cell phone goes off in a restaraunt, but coworkers won't tolerate being annoyed on a daily basis. I've seen this happen. The chairman of the board at one place I worked actually had a group of people approach him and say "turn that damn thing down." Why would a laptop alarm be any different?

      Just to be clear, though, I'm picking on your analogies, not on your point. I agree that this is probably a pretty useless technology, at least for wide-spread use. The stupid thing about it is that it probably has no real way of knowing who the rightful owner is. I suppose it could be password protected, that's a start I guess. I actually think that a remote (not unlike the ones used with a car alarm) would be a little bit more useful. It's a specific device that, at least in theory, only the owner would have. If it's 'armed', the computer won't do jack shit until the remote deactivates the security system. A system like that could POTENTIALLY work if it's developed correctly, but ... well if you're shaking your head I can't say I'd blame you. Personal computers are a little too easy to rearrange for this sort of system to work well. Okay, you win, I don't have a great solution to the problem either.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    2. Re:This is going to be obnoxious by Jedi+Alec · · Score: 1

      All that said, I can't imagine a would-be car thief trying to steal a car while the alarm's going off. Besides being annoying, I'd be afraid of Mr. Owner showing up with a baseball bat.

      Easy way to find out then...make it go off and hide nearby to see who shows up with a baseball bat, if anyone at all. Do it again an hour later, and once more 20 minutes later, so the entire neighbourhood lapses into "oh god, not that thing again" mode and then take off with the thing.

      --

      People replying to my sig annoy me. That's why I change it all the time.
    3. Re:This is going to be obnoxious by c0d3h4x0r · · Score: 1

      You don't understand the point of car alarms.

      The point isn't to notify the owner (or concerned nearby citizens) of a theft in progress. The point is to function as a deterrent to thieves.

      Given a choice between a car with an armed alarm and a car without an alarm, a thief will bust into the car without an alarm every time. Their thought process is, "I want to draw the least attention to myself and go with the lowest risk as possible."

      Car alarms only work because some people still don't have them. If everyone had one, there'd be no weaker targets to attract thieves, and it would be the same as if no one at all had an alarm.

      --
      Moderator hint: a comment is neither "Flamebait" nor "Troll" if it is true.
    4. Re:This is going to be obnoxious by mzwaterski · · Score: 1

      You've been watching "The Heist" haven't you? They set off the alarm of some antique store repeatedly. The cops keep showing up until they decide that it is another false alarm and don't show. Then they bust the window and steal what they want.

    5. Re:This is going to be obnoxious by Jedi+Alec · · Score: 1

      Sorry, nope, I haven't. I do recall reading a story about a boy that cried wolf when i was a kid though ;-)

      --

      People replying to my sig annoy me. That's why I change it all the time.
  5. Obstrusive? by immakiku · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How many people are going to want to lock and unlock the laptop everytime they walk away? I know a lot of people barely want to do the WinXP windows+L everytime, much less lock and unlock with a remote control.

    1. Re:Obstrusive? by springbox · · Score: 1

      I really don't have a problem with Windows+L, but having to carry around a remote (and remembering to carry it) to lock/unlock the computer would be a pain.

    2. Re:Obstrusive? by Rosyna · · Score: 1

      Is it a pain to carry around the same remote for your car? why can't you just put the remote on a keychain just like your car remote?

    3. Re:Obstrusive? by Achromatic1978 · · Score: 1

      For one, I'm guessing the remote doesn't have a loop for the keychain.

    4. Re:Obstrusive? by iamseparated · · Score: 1

      How many people are going to want to lock and unlock the laptop everytime they walk away?


      I would. I have an alarm on my car and I've learned to turn it off everytime I'm walking towards it, and to arm it whenever I walk away from it. It's not a hassle at all. And for the added peice of mind of having some kind of security system I'm sure I'd feel the same way toward an alarm for my laptop. I for one think this is a great idea.

    5. Re:Obstrusive? by syzler · · Score: 1

      I have not read the article, but I am assuming that the remote used is the apple remote that comes with the laptop for use with iTunes, DVD, etc. If this is the case, wouldn't I be able to unlock your laptop with my apple remote?
       
      Although the idea of having a laptop alarm might be cool, wouldn't it be better if the arming and disarming was triggered by the screensaver (with the option checked to require password when waking or returning from screensaver) instead of a commonly available remote?

    6. Re:Obstrusive? by ABoerma · · Score: 1

      I think anyone who's laid down two grand for a laptop and wants to keep it will.

    7. Re:Obstrusive? by IAmATuringMachine! · · Score: 1

      You could use a bluetooth cellphone such that when you are no longer proximal and the device is dropped, it can lock the computer. Sailing Clicker has a trick like that for the screen saver and sleep - "sleep when I walk away" or "lock screen when I walk away"

      --
      "Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes."
      -E. W. Dijkstra
    8. Re:Obstrusive? by Biomechanical · · Score: 1

      Actually, here in Australia it's currently AU$5,073.99 for a 15.4" Macbook Pro with 2GB RAM and a 100GB 7200RPM HDD. Don't believe me? Go to apple.com.au and price one in the store.

      The 17" model will likely be about $6,000 to $6,500.

      After I buy the 17" model I'll be very tetchy about people touching my computer.

      If someone I don't know approaches me while I'm at a Cafe - see above comments about San Francisco - or I ever hear the laptop's alarm going off, well...

      Maestro! Start the gladiatorial theme music!

      Dun dun dah dah dah dahn daaaah...

      --
      His name is Robert Paulsen...
    9. Re:Obstrusive? by Greedo · · Score: 1

      But you can buy one for USD 99. Genuine leather, too.

      --
      Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
    10. Re:Obstrusive? by Achromatic1978 · · Score: 1

      Ahhh, so, standard Apple extortion^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hpricing, then?

  6. Thinkpad Active Protection System by Devil's+BSD · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Anyone know if this can be adapted for the Thinkpad's active protection system? It's pretty much the same thing, as far as I know...

    --
    I'm the Devil the Windows users warned you about.
    1. Re:Thinkpad Active Protection System by dteichman2 · · Score: 1

      I don't think it could be adapted- the hardware is (99% chance) completely different. First, you'd have to figure out if the Active Protection System can even be "seen" by $OS. If it can, you probably have to figure out how to interface with it. THEN, you get to play the "let's write a low-level driver game."

      --


      Silence is golden... and duct tape is silver.
    2. Re:Thinkpad Active Protection System by hile · · Score: 1

      Yes, at least in linux this would be quite trivial. Since 2.6.1x (was it 14 or 15), the hdaps driver is part of standard kernel and will generate normal joystick events from the sensor (google for 'neverball hdaps' - you can play with the sensor).

      Actually, I think macbook uses exactly same hdaps driver, this should work in linux on macbook as well. Not sure if it's so.

      IMO this would be much more useful when combined with your mobile phone - i.e. when the bluetooth ID of your mobile is not in range, set the alarm on, and switch it off again when the ID is back. Of course, security aware persons do not actually keep bluetooth enabled all the time...

      --
      *hile*
    3. Re:Thinkpad Active Protection System by qwix · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Anyone know if this can be adapted for the Thinkpad's active protection system?

      Here: http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Script_for_theft_ala rm_using_HDAPS

  7. Good idea, but you CAN wreck a computer... by Parallax+Blue · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...unlike a car. When someone tries to steal a car and a car alarm goes off, the car itself isn't going anywhere (although you may have a broken window or two.) Unfortunately, when someone tries to steal a Macbook and the iAlertU alarm goes off, I don't think the Macbook will fare too well as a result. Most likely it would be dropped out of sheer surprise, or dropped/thrown in the process of trying to escape the irate Mac owner and the local security guards.

    Still, I suppose even an inoperable Macbook with the hard drive intact is better than having all your corporate and personal data stolen.

    1. Re:Good idea, but you CAN wreck a computer... by ergo98 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      There is a video linked on the page that shows it to be enormously sensitive, basically sounding the moment the laptop senses the slightest movement. Of course the actual program doesn't appear to be released (strange that unreleased vapour is given a Slashdot story, but whatever), however it seems legitimate given that it's using a library someone else created, already demonstrated to provide this sort of functionality (e.g. using a Mac laptop as a level).

      Odd that the values from a hard drive protection mechanism are even available to the software. I would have thought that it would simply be a boolean toggle that the BIOS immediately reacts to instantly, not relying upon the operating system in any way.

    2. Re:Good idea, but you CAN wreck a computer... by Gnavpot · · Score: 1

      Odd that the values from a hard drive protection mechanism are even available to the software.

      I don't know about Macs, but on PCs, the sensitivity of the protection is controllable from software. So at least there needs to be some communication in the opposite direction between the software and the hardware.

      Further, there is an icon in the systray showing the status of the protection, so you have a visual indication that you are abusing your computer if you don't already know. This necessitates some communication in the same direction as the alarm system.

      I would have thought that it would simply be a boolean toggle that the BIOS immediately reacts to instantly, not relying upon the operating system in any way.

      I can't see that one rules the other out. It is quite possible that the drive protection is acting on it self, independent of the OS, while at the same time the OS is able to communicate with the protection to get status, change settings, etc.

  8. Good to know... by irving47 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'll remember to plug my headphones in the next time I need a new MacBook.

    --
    I had a sucky sig.
    1. Re:Good to know... by MustardMan · · Score: 1

      Heh... that's almost as good a hack as disabling copy protection by holding the shift key.

    2. Re:Good to know... by Phroggy · · Score: 4, Informative

      When you plug headphones into a Mac, the audio is rerouted away from the speakers in software, not hardware. This allows things like USB speakers to work, so when you plug headphones in, it mutes the USB speakers. So, in theory, this software should be able to override that and always use the built-in speakers even if headphones are plugged in. (I doubt the current feature has this feature, and it probably wouldn't be easy to implement, but it should be possible.)

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
    3. Re:Good to know... by narratorDan · · Score: 1

      The system already allows for separate outputs for alerts and normal sound out. From the System Preferences you can select the built in speakers for all alerts while still using external speakers/headphones for iTunes. And this setting does not change even if someone were to plug in a headphone jack. So, chances are that this would be simple to implement using the built in system libraries for audio.

      NarratorDan

      --
      "If you're not confused by quantum mechanics, you really don't understand it." - Niels Bohr
    4. Re:Good to know... by Phroggy · · Score: 1

      On my iBook G4/800 running OSX 10.4.6, there's a menu to select the output device, but it's disabled so I can't change it.

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
  9. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by lordmoose · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You seem pretty insecure about your Mac status. Also, I doubt that a "real Mac user" would take the time to categorize the actions of others and then type up a post about it.

  10. nice feature by v1 · · Score: 2, Informative

    That's a nice novel use for an otherwise unrelated technology. I'm sure the SMS wasn't intended for security, but it works well for it.

    As for being off... I wonder, does anything run while the laptop is asleep? My powerbook has probably spent less than 5 minutes turned off in the last four months. Most users close the lid and sleep it. (my powerbook draws the same 2 watts when it's asleep as when it's off, so why bother turning it off?)

    A firmware hack might enable the alarm to wake up the book if it's moved. I assume the PMU/SMU is controlled by flashable firmware. Also, the SMS is in the older powerbooks also - this article only mentions the macbook pros, I wonder if it works in the older models also?

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    1. Re:nice feature by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      My old iMac used to still play mp3's while it was asleep! The sound would become distorted and choppy, but it still played!

      And it was definatly asleep, i.e. power button pulsing, screen off, modem disconnected. As soon as you work it up, the music went back to normal.

    2. Re:nice feature by slowbad · · Score: 1
      My old iMac used to still play mp3's while it was asleep

      My old Windows 3.1 machines used to still play audio CD's after you clicked 'Shutdown'
      (and restart in MS-DOS). 640K multitasking in real mode ... 1993 style!

    3. Re:nice feature by Phroggy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      That's because your computer wasn't really playing the music - your CD-ROM drive was playing the music, all by itself, and there's a little grey wire that runs from the CD-ROM drive directly into your sound card, completely bypassing the CPU.

      Some CD-ROM drives have two buttons on the front, instead of just a single eject button. If it has two buttons, the left button is a play/next track button and the right button is stop/eject. They'll usually have a headphone jack on the front as well (which only works for CD audio, not anything else from the computer). Take a CD-ROM drive that has two buttons, an AT (not ATX) power supply, and a pair of speakers plugged into the headphone jack. Pop in an audio CD and hit the left button. Voila, you've got a CD player, without a computer.

      Note that iTunes, modern versions of Windows Media Player, etc. read the audio data off the CD and process it through the software; they don't tell the CD player to play the CD directly. This also means you can play CDs in iTunes/WMP if that little grey wire is missing.

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
    4. Re:nice feature by slowbad · · Score: 1
      Some CD-ROM drives have two buttons on the front, instead of just a single eject button.

      And just to be anal, get a 2X drive to handle the stereo 16 bit PCM coding at 44.1 kHz !

      On systems today with PCI soundcards you can reconnect that gray wire, get properties in
      Windows for the CDROM and uncheck "enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device"

      I still keep around an old 12X CDR for copying certain CDs since it was the last to have
      constant linear velocity. There's nothing quite like consistency for duplication...

  11. Coffee Shop Use Case by buckhead_buddy · · Score: 2, Funny
    This is great news. There's a coffee shop in my town with a friendly college crowd and free Wi-Fi networking.

    My problem arises when I take my old Powerbook in there and realize I need to use the restroom. The crowd is pretty honest and I'm pretty quick in the facilities, but I really hate packing up my whole setup and taking it into the stall with me. This might allow me that feeling of security to leave my old Powerbook out while I take care of business.

    While there's still some risk involved, it sounds like this will be just the thing to make me:

    • Carefree and proud to be a Mac owner.
    • Careless about risks and have my computer stolen.
    • Embarassed when someone bumps my table and I'm caught with my pants down.

    I'd probably risk this with my old model Powerbook, but I don't think I'd do so if I upgraded to a new MacBook Pro.

    1. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Embarassed when someone bumps my table and I'm caught with my pants down."

      Look on the bright side: If you keep pulling your pants down while browsing the web at a coffee shop, sooner or later you'll see a rise in available bandwidth.

      --

      "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

    2. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by advocate_one · · Score: 1
      ahh, so you're one of those pretentious gits who HAVE to ostentatiously show off their Macs/PCs in public while having a coffee and hogging the table while doing so and probably only having the one coffee for the whole morning...

      deity I hate it when trying to get a coffee in any place that has free wifi... it's usually heaving with people who're browsing and have long since finished their drinks/food. As far as I'm concerned, you lose your entitlement to seatspace when you finish your drink and whatever food you purchased.

      I'm sure the coffee shops also agree here... Free wifi gets people in, but they're not buying very much and other customers can't find anywhere to sit, so they're walking out rather that waiting for seats.

      --
      Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    3. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by La+Camiseta · · Score: 1

      As far as I'm concerned, you lose your entitlement to seatspace when you finish your drink and whatever food you purchased.

      Obviously you've never been to a real cafe like in Europe. There, once you've got a table, you've got it for as long as you want, and they won't bother you to leave. Granted, others may come up and sit in the seat across from you, but some interesting and fun conversations can start that way.

    4. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by iphayd · · Score: 1

      All Mac laptops (worth owning) have a Kensington Security Slot. You need to buy either a Kensington lock or a small tab that fits into the slot and allows a cable to pass through it. Remember, you aren't protecting your laptop for hours, rather, you are making it difficult to pick it up from the table and walk away.

    5. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by maggard · · Score: 1
      My problem arises when I take my old Powerbook in there and realize I need to use the restroom.
      Because actually making social contact with someone and saying "Would you keep an eye on this while I use the restroom?" is too scary?

      Seriously, why are you IN the coffeeshop? A coffee you can't make at home? At $3 a cup? If coffee were the real reason then buying some brew-gadget would pay itself off quickly and you could stay in your jammies.

      No, you're likely in the coffee shop for the social aspect. The people watching. The camaraderie. So you're NOT alone typing away in an empty room.

      So participate. Stop being the random geek in the corner pecking away at the old Mac and take this opportunity to make some minimal social contact. Heck, if you're clever about it make this the opening gambit at getting to know someone else of interest (romantically, intellectually, style-wise, whatever.)

      Yeah, I know, talking to someone at the next table is far harder then installing another bit of software, but it's far more rewarding in the long run.

      ps to the whiner "They're taking up seats!" Guess what? The shop installed the free WiFi for a reason. They installed the extra electrical outlets for a reason. Many of the customers are regulars specifically for those reasons. Apparently it is paying off for the shop. Yes some overstay, but if they're discomfitting a random like you it's not really a loss to the shop is it?

      --
      I don't read ACs: If a post isn't worth so much as a nom de plume to its author then I wont bother either.
    6. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by gerardrj · · Score: 1

      Of course in much of Europe, you also pay a significant "table charge" to actually sit in the cafe/resturaunt.

      --
      Article X: The powers not delegated... by the Constitution...are reserved...to the people
    7. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by MyLongNickName · · Score: 1

      No, you're likely in the coffee shop for the social aspect. The people watching. The camaraderie. So you're NOT alone typing away in an empty room.

      Next time put a warning message on posts like this. I got to this part and nearly freaked out. Social contact? Typing with others in the room with me?"camaraderie"? I was afraid if I kept reading, you might mention talking to people and maybe making eye contact with a girl.

      Too much for me to take on a Saturday morning, sorry.

      --
      See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
    8. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by foniksonik · · Score: 1

      Just make friends with the staff and let one of them know you're using the restroom and to keep and eye on your laptop... though you're stil at risk for a planned heist... at least you'll start getting free coffee now and then ;-p

      --
      A fool throws a stone into a well and a thousand sages can not remove it.
    9. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by pauljlucas · · Score: 1
      ... so you're one of those pretentious gits who HAVE to ostentatiously show off their Macs/PCs in public ...
      In my experience, people who complain about such things invariably lack such things of their own and so resent those who do because they have something the others don't.

      Anyway, where would it be OK for people to use their laptops? Only at home or the office? Might as well use a desktop computer then. The point of a laptop is to use it in various places, including public places.

      As far as I'm concerned, you lose your entitlement to seatspace when you finish your drink and whatever food you purchased.
      So a group of friends can't stay and have conversation one second beyond when the last person finishes his/her food/drink? Or somebody can't continue to do their homework?

      What bothers me are people who leave their stuff spread out all over their table, then wander off to another table to talk to friends or go outside and have a smoke, and are not using their table. If you're using the table, then use the table, but not merely as a place to leave your stuff.

      I'm sure the coffee shops also agree here... Free wifi gets people in, but they're not buying very much and other customers can't find anywhere to sit, so they're walking out rather that waiting for seats.
      Clearly if a coffee shop owner continues to offer free WiFi, s/he must be making more money than before offering free WiFi, otherwise s/he's stop offering it. The people who walk out because they can't find seats don't matter. A coffee shop, like any business, exists to make money, not to guarantee you a seat.
      --
      If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
    10. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by La+Camiseta · · Score: 1

      I don't know about that. I never really noticed prices that differed from those of, say, Starbucks. And a regular cup of coffee there was actually cheaper than a regular cup Starbucks' coffee here in Vegas.

    11. Re:Coffee Shop Use Case by j_sp_r · · Score: 1

      coffeeshop -> a store where you can buy drugs... (At least in the netherlands)

  12. More Mac Theft Software by pHatidic · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'd recommend Undercover by Orbicule. It runs continuously in the background, and if your laptop is ever stolen then you call up the company and they set it to transmit it's location every time it connects to a network. Of course since my laptop has never actually been stolen I can't really tell you whether it works or not.

    1. Re:More Mac Theft Software by jaysones · · Score: 1

      My Powerbook was stolen last year from my apartment. It automatically syncs with .Mac every day and I was hoping I could somehow track it this way (since you can see the "last sync" of all the computers associated with your .Mac account on any one, I was going to call Apple when I saw that my Powerbook synced again) but it never connected to the internet again, or they wiped it clean before it was used again.

    2. Re:More Mac Theft Software by plj · · Score: 1

      The problem with Orbicule's approach is that their software can easily be removed by wiping the disk. Orbicule claims that setting a firmware password would help, but at least in PPC macs the OF password can be reset by changing the amount of RAM installed and then zapping PRAM three times, thus offering virtually no protection against thieves. It would be nice if unauthorised physical access to DIMM slots could be hardened somehow, so that complete disassembling of the laptop would be necessary to change the amount of RAM. That would hopefully make things complicated enough to get thieves to abandon the computer.

      Apple's documentation does not explain the procedure for x86 Macs, so I don't know about those.

      --
      “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
    3. Re:More Mac Theft Software by Professor_UNIX · · Score: 1
      It would be nice if unauthorised physical access to DIMM slots could be hardened somehow, so that complete disassembling of the laptop would be necessary to change the amount of RAM.

      Oh right, as if it isn't a tech support nightmare enough to let Mac users upgrade their memory, now you want to make it impossible to do so? Just encrypt your damn data with filevault and you'll be fine. Sure, you'll lose your MacBook, but your data will be safe unless Russians or the NSA stole it.

    4. Re:More Mac Theft Software by plj · · Score: 1

      Huh? What part of “unauthorised access” you did not understand? Just make it possible to somehow lock the memory door, so that only you yourself or authorised service personnel can access the slots.

      And FWIW, I have filevault on in my PowerBook. But this is all about recovering stolen machines and/or preventing theft altogether, not data safety.

      --
      “Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
  13. Serious Theft by BoRegardless · · Score: 1

    If someone is bent on getting a $4000 MacBook Pro for free, he may well be smart enough to

    #!. Pull the battery
    #2. Pull the hard drive
    #3. & thus never allow anything to run off the original hard drive

    1. Re:Serious Theft by Architect_sasyr · · Score: 1

      Obviously your not a perl programmer

      You put the laptop on a secured DMZ network behind redundant firewalls, and (just to be sure) you cut the sending pairs on the ethernet cable. You might as well run it inside a f. cage, because (even though you are in the middle of nowhere) you may JUST let that signal out.

      After you have done this you spend 36 days shredding the harddisk with a custom program, at which time you remove said hard disk, smash it, and then melt it down. Only to buy a new one.

      Total cost ~$20,000. But you get to say you stole the MacBook


      On a more serious note, if this could be automated. Like having the reciever automatically lock and unlock the mac based on how close you are to it... then it would be decent technology. As it stands, if you forget to lock it just once, you don't have much of a hope.

      --
      Me failed English...
      FreeBSD over Linux. If my comments seem odd, this may explain...
    2. Re:Serious Theft by wolrahnaes · · Score: 1

      or just don't attach it to the network in the first place?

      why do we always skip the simple answers.....

      --
      I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
    3. Re:Serious Theft by toddestan · · Score: 1

      Well, never underestimate the stupidity of some theives. At my old school, a couple of guys walked into a lesser used computer lab in broad daylight with some maintance-looking clothes, disconnected a couple of computers, and walked out with them. No one paid them any attention, and thus the police and security didn't have a good description of the criminals to go off of. It took a lot of guts, but they probably would have gotten away with it - if they weren't stupid enough to plug the computers into the ethernet jacks in the dorms.

  14. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by generic-man · · Score: 1

    Firefox on the Mac is a UI monstrosity that can best be described as a "XUL interface dressed up to imitate Aqua."

    Safari, meanwhile, has such poor JavaScript support that most "Web 2.0" applications have to specifically cater to it with reduced-functionality scripts. Safari is to JavaScript as Internet Explorer is to CSS.

    Camino is nice in that it's a Cocoa app and it renders with Gecko, but it does not render exactly identically to Firefox and Camino supports none of the extensions that Firefox does out of the box.

    In conclusion, every web browser (on the Mac) sucks.

    --
    For more information, click here.
  15. Just hold down the power button for a few seconds by iamacat · · Score: 2, Informative

    This turns off the notebook without any software overrides (otherwise you wouldn't be able to restart after a bad OS crash). Then steal all you want.

  16. Video of it in action... by antdude · · Score: 4, Informative

    The poster didn't mention it, but there is a streaming video showing this alarm in action. Quite amusing to me.

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  17. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  18. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 1

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  19. Already been done by Mapplex · · Score: 1

    This isn't the first such motion alarm for the Mac. BumpAlarm (of which I happen to be the developer) was an idea that was implemented a little over a year ago. http://www.alcemore.com/blog/2005/03/26/bumpalarm- motion-sensor-for-apple-powerbooks/ http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/17684

  20. Mute? Headphones? Sleep mode? Power off? by RootsLINUX · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What if you have the audio muted or really silent, or the thief plugs in headphones? What if the laptop goes into sleep mode? What if the battery runs out, or, if the laptop is plugged in, they unplug it and wait for the battery to die?

    There are too many ways around this so called "security" mechanism to be anything more than a gimmick. Although I will credit it because a theif that has no idea about or previous experience with this software is going to get caught red handed. :)

    --
    Hero of Allacrost, a FOSS RPG for *NIX/*BSD/OS X/Win
    1. Re:Mute? Headphones? Sleep mode? Power off? by Vexorg_q · · Score: 1

      The advantage to this software is that it allows you to have a leg up on other MacBook users. As the old addage goes, you dont have to run faster than the bear, just faster than the person running with you.

      --

      Idle hands are the devil's workshop, but idle minds are much worse
    2. Re:Mute? Headphones? Sleep mode? Power off? by foniksonik · · Score: 1

      And intelligent bank robbers get away every day.... not to mention burlars who can disable your home / car alarms, etc....

      An alarm is only there to prevent stupid thieves, which is why they only lower your insurance for theft... not render it meaningless.

      --
      A fool throws a stone into a well and a thousand sages can not remove it.
    3. Re:Mute? Headphones? Sleep mode? Power off? by RubberDogBone · · Score: 2, Interesting

      What if you pull the battery, do this do that whatever. Too complicated.

      What if the theif simply carries a sound-proof case in which to put his new prize?

      Cheap, simple, fast, works for any laptop, etc.

      You guys talking about plugging in headphones and doing on-the-spot mods are thinking too hard. Think like someone on the prowl for a laptop:

      The problem is that it might make noise. You want the noise to stop. So you carry a well-insulated case and beat your feet, which any decent "office creeper" thief is going to do anyway. Plus the case puts the object out of sight.

      Done.

      Plenty of time later to figure out how to disable the noise. Most fences can do that for an extra cut. Not a problem.

      --
      Sig for hire.
  21. Re:What if by jimijon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Don't you know that Mac users rarely turn the computer off? Only after a system upgrade of course.

    --
    Mind | Body | Spirit | Cash
  22. iAlertU Trapper Keeper 2000 edition by MacDork · · Score: 1
    Yeah? Well just wait for the Trapper Keeper 2000 edition!
    Bill: [reaches over Cartman's shoulder] May I hold your Trapper Keeper?

    Cartman: Uh, n-no, I'm afraid not, Bill Cosby, because it is coded to the prints on my fingers. [wiggles them outstretched] If anybody but me tries to hold it, big metal spikes come out and pierce through their hands.

    Kyle: Oh, you are so full of crap, Cartman! Metal spikes will not come out!

    Cartman: Oh really? [hands the folder over to Kyle] Then, why don't you hold it? [Kyle looks at it in Cartman's outstretched hand.] Well, go on, Kyle. If it doesn't have metal spikes, then hold it. [inches closer and whispers] Hold it.

    Kyle: I'm gonna!

    Cartman: [inches closer and whispers] Hold it.

    Kyle: I will!

    ;-)
  23. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by dteichman2 · · Score: 1

    The fact that a graphic designer switched to a more asthetically pleasing browser doesn't convince me of its technical merit.

    Sorry. Please try again.

    --


    Silence is golden... and duct tape is silver.
  24. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by masdog · · Score: 1

    All a matter of perspective, I suppose.

    I guess you can say that Mac users are like teenage girls. They are willing to spend $80 on a pair of jeans while the rest of us are happy with a $14 pair from Wal-mart that does the job just as well and will last twice as long.

    --
    My Sysadmin Blog
  25. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by masdog · · Score: 1

    I don't care how many laws of aethestic elegance Firefox breaks. It works. It doesn't have to look good.

    What is the difference between a rusted Chevy El-camino and a Jaguar? The Chevy, despite its appearance, is still probably running while you're taking the Jaguar in every thousand miles for a tune-up and an oil change.

    --
    My Sysadmin Blog
  26. Re:What if by Igmuth · · Score: 1
    Don't you know that Mac users rarely turn the computer off? Only after a system
    upgrade of course.


    Mac users are some mighty strange people. I prefer to turn my computer off BEFORE system upgrades...
  27. what about sound proof cases? by tixie · · Score: 1

    Laptops are much smaller than a car yet cars are still being stolen. This can probably reduce the possibilities but it is certainly not 100% stolen-proof.

    1. Re:what about sound proof cases? by RubberDogBone · · Score: 1

      Give this man (or, woman as unlikely as that may be on /.) a gold star!

      This is how you bypass the alarm, ladies and germs. Forget the hardware mods and magic USB keyloaders and headphones.

      You put the laptop in a well-insultated case and get the hell out of there.

      So WHAT if it starts making noise? You or your fence can deal with that later.

      --
      Sig for hire.
  28. rfid? by icepick101 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why not use some type of RFID system, where the owner keeps an RFID tag in his/her pocket. Once they move too far away from the laptop (2 or 3 feet?), the alarm sounds. Rather than making a conscious effort to arm the laptop, it would be automatic.

    1. Re:rfid? by LiquidFire_HK · · Score: 1

      Not very useful. I don't have a laptop, but I'm pretty sure anyone who has one has moved more than a few feet away from it more than once. This would, therefore, need to be activated and deactivated, which cancels your point about it being automatic.

    2. Re:rfid? by IntergalacticWalrus · · Score: 1

      Those only lock the station in software. For preventing laptop theft they are worthless.

    3. Re:rfid? by DRM_is_Stupid · · Score: 1

      Sort of defeats the purpose of having an alarm system if I have to be within 2-3 ft of the computer at all times.

  29. Not the best security, but would had saved our.. by Paska · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This setup may not offer the best line of security, but it would had saved the Macbook we have in our retail store. (Apple Australia)

    We had a group of normal gentleman come in, two of them starting a conversation with our sales staff. The other gentleman who came in walked around to browse, and without being seen by our sales staff who were busying talking to the other man used bolt cutters to cut the metal wire security device and placed the Macbook in a bag and walked out.

    This was all caught on video, but there's not much we can do now since we can't identify any of them.

    Our store manager considered options to prevent this in the future but everything was just to expansive.

    Until I implement our own in-house security system (Network based, if a local server is unable to ping a particular desktop/laptop it'll sound an audible alarm) I'll be installing this software on our Macbooks.

  30. I remember getting burgled by Inda · · Score: 1

    He took some cigarettes, a few notes, a mobile phone...

    He also took my laptop out of its case, opened the screen, turned it on and booted to the Windows login screen. And that's how I found it.

    It wasn't a bad a little laptop.

    I wonder...

    --
    This post contains benzene, nitrosamines, formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide.
    1. Re:I remember getting burgled by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      He also took my laptop out of its case, opened the screen, turned it on and booted to the Windows login screen. And that's how I found it.

      He was looking for a Linux laptop maybe? :)

  31. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Fulkkari · · Score: 1

    You non-Mac users have no taste! I'd much rather pay $80 for a pair of good quality jeans that I like, than some cheap $14 jeans I'd never wear. :-)

    --
    I demand the Cone of Silence!
  32. Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by benbranch · · Score: 1

    Fuck the alarm! Like anyone is going to care. What they need to do is add a GPS tracking device that is soldered into the motherboard. This way when you switch it on it transmits a GPS locator signal that cannot be turned off. No more stolen Mac's. Breitling (the watch company) put similar technology into a watch years ago. I want it in my Mac. "Hold on man! Don't take it! It's an Apple! They have fucking satellite tracking devices in them!" Seriously.

    1. Re:Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by MichaelSmith · · Score: 1
      What they need to do is add a GPS tracking device that is soldered into the motherboard.

      GPS hardly ever works. You have to be aware of where the antenna is to get any signal at all. And criminals will still disable the software after stealing the laptop.

      --
      http://michaelsmith.id.au
    2. Re:Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by IntergalacticWalrus · · Score: 1

      Hear hear! I'm still wondering why the fuck are laptops still not equipped with GPS trackers in 2006. Isn't it just common sense?

    3. Re:Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by benbranch · · Score: 1

      Okay, I refuse to believe that someone who is dumb enough to have to steal laptops for a living will be hacking away at Objective C code to disable a GPS tracking device :) Should that be the case, we will invent a nice GPS system that can be remotely activated and is not dis-ableable. We will test it on real hackers first. If this sort of technology can be implemented in a dmaned wrist watch, I want it in my $2,500 dollar macbook pro!

    4. Re:Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by radish · · Score: 1

      What you're looking for is not an unreliable, expensive GPS tracker which probably won't work. It's insurance. Simple eh?

      --

      ---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"

    5. Re:Screw the alarm, I want GPS! by MyOtherUIDis3digits · · Score: 1

      I totally agree! Great idea!!!

      - Big Brother

      --
      Ignore anything I said above, I actually agree with everything you believe - mod accordingly.
  33. Re:What if by Carthag · · Score: 1

    What the fuck! English isn't that hard. Please make an effort.

  34. Re:Not the best security, but would had saved our. by MichaelSmith · · Score: 1
    Until I implement our own in-house security system (Network based, if a local server is unable to ping a particular desktop/laptop it'll sound an audible alarm) I'll be installing this software on our Macbooks.

    But customers will always want to jiggle them, and you don't want to frighten them away.

    Stores like harvey norman seem to have a system with a wire attached to a little box stuck to the back of phones, palm tops, etc. There is a LED on the little box to show you that something will happen if the wire is cut.

    A simple circuit which is broken when the cable is cut could have sounded the alarm. Perhaps a simple loop of wire which terminates in the display console, and loops through the cable fitting on the laptop. Use the current to hold a relay open. When the relay closes a sonalert goes off. Jaycar have lots of really loud buzzers.

    --
    http://michaelsmith.id.au
  35. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by indy_Muad'Dib · · Score: 1

    shouldnt you be sucking down $7 lattes at starbucks and working on your liberal arts course work right now instead of posting on slashdot?

  36. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by wolrahnaes · · Score: 1

    I'd rather pay $14 for a pair of jeans that I can wear for 4 days straight without them showing any dirt, but then go 4-wheeling in them and wash them off with ease.

    --
    I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
  37. Built in GPS by Centurix · · Score: 1

    Would be nice if laptops came with built in GPS and a tiny application which sends the laptops location as soon as the thing boots up or waits until there is some form of internet connection and sends its information. Sounds simple.

    --
    Task Mangler
  38. But it could be better by AlanAudio · · Score: 1

    Instead of using the remote control to arm and disarm it, it could offer the ability to have a BlueTooth cellphone paired to it. If the BlueTooth phone is out of range and the computer is moved, the alarm goes off, but if the phone is nearby when it's moved, it doesn't. Users end up with much less chance of accidental alarms and much less chance of forgetting to arm the alarm.

  39. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Fred_A · · Score: 1

    To me aesthetic elegance is so important that I keep all my computers turned off.

    The perfectness of that black screen in a whitish frame shouldn't be marred by poorly designed applications.

    On a side note, after trying Safari for a bit on my iBook, I installed Firefox and never looked back. While not a bad browser, Safari really felt like Firefox's retarded cousin.

    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  40. Re:Just hold down the power button for a few secon by nordicfrost · · Score: 1

    Well, yes, but first you'd have to sende a software signal. This causes MacOS to pop up a dialouge asking you to sleep, cancel, log off or shut down. I would be possible to make the alarm go off at this stage. It will be silenced after five seconds, but till.

  41. Re:Just hold down the power button for a few secon by he-sk · · Score: 2, Informative

    Even better, hit Ctrl-Apple-Power which reboots the Mac instantly (kinda like Ctrl-Alt-Del on MS-DOS).

    --
    Free Manning, jail Obama.
  42. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by hlimethe3rd · · Score: 1

    It's only the Mac version of firefox that's terrible. It's much slower and more resource hungry than other Mac browsers, eg Camino. The Windows firefox is fast and responsive, though it still can use a fair bit of resources, depending on how you set it up.

  43. Foiled by the Headphone Jack by revjonnylove · · Score: 1

    The software's site is very scarce on details. Assuming this app works with the built in speaker/audio system, what's to stop any halfway intelligent thief from plugging in a dummy headphone jack before touching the laptop, thus silencing the alert?

  44. The perfect computer security device by CagedBear · · Score: 1

    is a rottweiler. Just try to refrain from eating peanut butter sandwiches while typing. You don't want your macbook to smell like a Scooby snack.

  45. stuff by akhomerun · · Score: 1

    this thread has some of the worst, most redundant comments i've ever seen.

    I don't think an alarm will stop anyone from stealing a $2000 laptop. maybe a $400 laptop, but not a macbook pro.

  46. Re:Ain't that the truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I was at the Apple store in Columbus, OH showing a friend some basic video editing in iMovie and decided to use the attached iSight as a test video source. Simply turning it on (yes I knew the right way) was enough to trigger the anti-theft device that caused the whole store to take notice and three employees to stop helping other people and come investigate.

    They fiddiled with the anti-theft system for several minutes and I explained the situation after they got the alarm turned off and asked if they could turn the iSight on. The manager did so and set off the alarm himself which took several more minutes. The whole ordeal was about 10 deafening minutes in which the three employees were not helping other customers and the whole store was annoyed by the loud beeping.

    I don't know the outcome of the other customers but it certanly wasn't a pleasant shopping experience for us. Moral of the story is that over-zealous anti-theft devices will annoy the customer. Take precautions but don't alienate.

  47. Re:What if by Carthag · · Score: 1

    You know what they say... Obscenity is the crutch of inarticulate motherfuckers.

  48. The Mac Decoy Pro by Skevin · · Score: 4, Funny

    I work in an office where stolen property is nearly a common occurance (a stranger came in and simply sauntered off with a petty cash box the day I started working there). To guard against this, I keep my Mac Decoy Pro in my desk.

    What's a Mac Decoy Pro, you ask? It's an extra nonworking Macbook Pro. Looks just like the real functional thing, just sitting there waiting to be taken.

    Where did I get it? Well, when I heard that Powerbooks were going to use Intel processors, I bought a Macbook Pro with the express intention of swapping out the hard drive, memory and processor: the first two I did with nary more than a dented/warped casing. The latter... well, my screwdriver slipped and broke several components off the main board. I tried the purchase just the notebook mainboard from Apple, but essentially, they told me to go screw myself*. So with a heavy heart and a sigh of resignation, I did what any self respecting geek would do: I played poker for an hour until I had enough to buy another Macbook Pro. I've reassembled the broken one, which I leave out in the open in my cubicle when I go home at night. If it gets stolen, then that's my alarm indicator that it's time to leave the company.

    * I'm still wondering that "incredible level of service" I keep hearing from Mac users.

    Solomon

    --
    "Twice half-assed makes an ass whole." --Solomon K. Chang
    1. Re:The Mac Decoy Pro by cduffy · · Score: 1

      So you broke your laptop computer with a screwdriver, voided your warranty and they don't want to deal with you. Wow, how shocking. Do you really think any other laptop manufacturer would act differently?

      Yes. He didn't say they wouldn't honor his warranty -- he said they wouldn't sell him (as in, with him willing to pay full price for) replacement parts. Refusing to sell a customer replacement parts for a reasonably modern system is above and beyond bad customer service.

    2. Re:The Mac Decoy Pro by loraksus · · Score: 1

      HP won't (or wouldn't, when I worked there) sell you a motherboard for a laptop if unless you're authorized service provider. I was under the impression that every manufacturer wouldn't sell non-user replacable parts to non-ASP customers.

      --
      1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  49. Re:What if by deesine · · Score: 1
    Upgrade, then restart/reboot. Nothing strange there.

    How do you upgrade a computer that is turned off?

    --
    damaged by dogma
  50. Re:Not the best security, but would had saved our. by The+MAZZTer · · Score: 1

    Well your solution could use a bit more thought... if a Mac freezes up or crashes (not at all uncommon I hear) then an alarm goes off... pretty soon the manager is going to axe it.

  51. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Millenniumman · · Score: 1

    That's a poor analogy. Macs do not cost 5 times as much or even nearly that. And they are known for lasting longer than PCs. And they have a lot of advantages. Ease of use, just working, no viruses, aesthetics, etc. I'm not saying they are better in every way for everyone, but they are certainly worth the price for the people who use them, and probably most who do not.

    --
    Stupidity is like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. And you don't want to get any on you.
  52. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Millenniumman · · Score: 1

    Firefox on Mac OS X isn't any worse than Firefox on Windows or Linux, it's just not as nice (integration and aesthetics) as a lot of other Mac OS X browsers like Safari, Camino (Which is made by Mozilla), and OmniWeb.

    --
    Stupidity is like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. And you don't want to get any on you.
  53. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Millenniumman · · Score: 1

    Firefox is not as well integrated with the OS (Address book, keychain, spellcheck) as Safari or Camino. It's not just the aesthetics. And Safari Just Works® also.

    --
    Stupidity is like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. And you don't want to get any on you.
  54. GPS helped us find a stolen laptop. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In the last two years I worked for a company that had a handful of laptops with custom GPS hardware inside the cases. No software controls, just hardware added to the inside of the case set to transmit under certain circumstances. They also had software to report back to a central server whenever they were connected to the internet.
    Laptop was stolen, theft was noticed, word went out. Laptop booted up, transmitter in laptop transmited. Laptop booted from CD without going into the case and turning the transmitter off, laptop began transmitting continously. Windows format and install takes a while, so the signal was transmitted for more than an hour. Some wandering around with recievers until company security was sure they had the right apartment. Police called and informed of the situation and that company security is going to get the laptop back, now, would the police like to meet them there?
    End result was laptop recovered in less than 12 hours, and thief in jail for felony theft. The laptop was gone longer as evidence than it was gone with the thief.
    It is expensive, it is not perfect, and I have no idea how you would get it into a case with as little freespace as a
    Mac laptop, but it can work very well.
    I would be more specific but I signed one of those NDA's that some companies love so much.
    The main starting problems would be the usual, cost, how to fit it in the case and maybe power consumption. Also, a big hurdle might be getting the police to declare a GPS signal probable cause to go into where ever the laptop is. Especially if the signal is not currrently transmitting. My previous employers solved that last one by sending there own people and then reporting the whole mess to the police, but most of us individuals don't have those resources. (Maybe that is a good thing, should /. readers be trusted with our own armed security? I know I shouldn't be. :) )

  55. In a recent memo... by binarybum · · Score: 1

    from Steve Jobs to Christian Kleins:

                    "What the hell did I ever do to you?"

    --
    ôó
  56. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by masdog · · Score: 1

    Having a web browser that integrates with the operating system isn't exactly a good thing. Ask any competent Windows user about what they think about having a web browser that integrates with the operating system and other applications, and most will tell you that its a bad idea.

    As Macs become more popular, they will no longer be able to rely on security through obscurity. Sure, Macs may be based on Unix, but those security enhancements will be undone by integrating programs into the operating system. Programs like Keychain are a hackers dream waiting for an exploit to take advantage of it.

    --
    My Sysadmin Blog
  57. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by masdog · · Score: 1

    So this is that Mac arrogance that I have heard so much about. Integrating into the OS isn't a good thing, but you Mac users have yet to learn that lesson the way Windows users have. Having your operating system store passwords so any web browser can access them...that's a horrible security flaw waiting to happen.

    And besides for some of the English-speaking slashdot crowd, who really needs spell-check in their web browser?

    --
    My Sysadmin Blog
  58. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by Millenniumman · · Score: 1

    I meant that it utilizes system wide data like address book and keychain and spellcheck. All webkit browsers do this. I do not think that this makes it any less secure. Safari is not necessary to use the OS like I.E. is for Windows (I may be wrong about I.E. being necessary).

    --
    Stupidity is like nuclear power, it can be used for good or evil. And you don't want to get any on you.
  59. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by masdog · · Score: 1

    In terms of price, it is a poor analogy. However, I wasn't making a comparison in the products. I was making a comparison in attitudes.

    I was comparing the attitude of the GP to that of a teenage girl. He's comparing superficial traits of the web browsers and stating that he won't use one basically because it looks bad on a Mac and doesn't use certain features that I'm sure the designers wouldn't want the program to use.

    Its like a teenage girl who won't hang out with her friend because she is wearing Wal-mart and Target brand clothes while the other is buying Prada bags and Gucci dresses.

    --
    My Sysadmin Blog
  60. Turn on and off with the remote? by aliquis · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So what stops someone else from turning of your elite alarm?

    1. Re:Turn on and off with the remote? by phillymjs · · Score: 2, Informative

      With the Apple remotes, you can pair the remote and the computer so it only responds to your specific remote.

      ~Philly

    2. Re:Turn on and off with the remote? by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Ok, I where wondering if that was the case or not, in any case I guess it doesn't use any sort of encryption and validates with a key or something?

      In any case I guess it doesn't matter since noone would belive their computer where totally safe after having turned it on :)

  61. Flip it over by od05 · · Score: 1

    Twist the screw, rip out the battery... no alarm.

  62. Setting off the alarm while travelling. by edunbar93 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Most laptops get stolen in airport terminals. What will be the point of having an alarm go off when the laptop is picked up, when the user is constantly picking it up himself?

    --
    "No problem. I have the capacity to do infinite work so long as you don't mind that my quality approaches zero."-Dilbert
  63. Re:Obstrusive (sic)? by aclarke · · Score: 1
    I would/do. I have a hotspot set up on my monitor and lock my screensaver whenever I leave my computer, even in secure locations on clients' premises. The only place I don't do this is at home, but I also have the screensaver come on after 10 minutes anyway. Additionally, I have File Vault turned on which encrypts my home directory.

    I also use a physical lock to secure my powerbook to a desk if I'm in an environment I'm a little sketchy about, and of course in somewhere like a Starbucks or an airport I'd never leave my computer more than a metre away from me anyway. I imagine most people who have had a portable for a while and haven't had one stolen exercise a similar level of caution.

    The inconvenience of doing this is dwarfed by the convenience of owning a portable computer.

    --

    www.clarke.ca
  64. IBM advertised them first... by lpq · · Score: 1

    IBM advertised their "drop-resistant" laptops over a year ago with the same G-sensing,
    head-parking technology. Any reason why the same type of program wouldn't work on IBM (now Lenovo) notebooks or any manufacturers using similar technology?

    -l

    1. Re:IBM advertised them first... by loraksus · · Score: 1

      I'm pretty sure Lenovo pulled the sensors from the R series.

      --
      1q2w3e4r5t6y7u8i9o0pqawsedrftgthyjukilo;p'azsxdcfv gbhnjmk,l.;/
  65. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by flamingnight · · Score: 1

    Real Mac users run OmniWeb.


    Or, we run Safari because 1) it works and 2) we can't afford the OW licensing fee after buying that Mac.

  66. Re:This is way worse by RobertLTux · · Score: 1

    So does that Pocket sized "Goldeneye" work well for you?

    --
    Any person using FTFY or editing my postings agrees to a US$50.00 charge
  67. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by JM+Apocalypse · · Score: 1

    Other browsers can't access your password, only the application that stored them.

    --

    - - - - - - -
    Orppf urp mf y.ppcxn. yflcbi otcnnov C am yflcbi yr n.apb Ekrpatv (Dvorak -> Qwerty)
  68. Re:Can't wait for... by RubberDogBone · · Score: 1

    "...or there will be .... trouble."

    --
    Sig for hire.
  69. Re:So just snatch out the battery... by RubberDogBone · · Score: 1

    I'm guessing you have no idea how easy it is to defeat a "car club" device? Easy. Very easy.

    They're of no value at all other than making the car owner think they're doing something useful. And they make Winner International that much richer for every unit sold.

    Kensington laptop locks are also easy to bypass. I see officeworkers using the things but what's the point? Deterance? But thieves know how easy it is to bypass so they'll take the hardware anyway, after they stop smugly laughing of course.

    Same as those infamous bike locks from last year. Defeated with a 10 cent Bic.

    Any lock you can think up, someone else will think around.

    --
    Sig for hire.
  70. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by vingt · · Score: 1

    Having your operating system store passwords so any web browser can access them...that's a horrible security flaw waiting to happen.

    And is not what the GP asserted - having a browser store to the Keychain does not allow other browsers to access the item.

  71. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by MoneyT · · Score: 1

    Integration on a mac != integration in windows. I think the best way to describe the difference (and it's a poor description at that) is that under windows, applications (like IE) integrate by putting their tenticles into every other part of the system, where as on a mac, applications integrate by having the OS put it's tenticles into the application.

    Boy that sounds like a really bad porn flick doesn't it?

    --
    T Money
    World Domination with a plastic spoon since 1984
  72. Vaporware? by zygote · · Score: 1

    I know there is video and all, but the beta isn't even posted yet. Also, if you close the lid on a Powerbook/MacBook it goes to sleep, will the app remain operable and detect movement with a sleeping machine? Seems like a bright idea, but sort of fades on closer examination without actual examination (see also first sentence.)

    --
    the future is here, it is just not evenly distributed - w. gibson
  73. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by ConcreteClam · · Score: 1

    This is one of the times that I wish that Slashdot had a "I grew up in the Southern United States" moderation.

  74. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by wolrahnaes · · Score: 1

    funny, but wrong...Ohio (yea, not much better)

    --
    I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
  75. Re:Heartfelt note to recent "switchers" by ConcreteClam · · Score: 1

    I grew (am still growing?) up in Upstate New York, which is of course in the southernmost part of it. What you said struck me as familiar to the folk around here, so I had to comment. =]

  76. Re:What if by dadragon · · Score: 1

    How do you upgrade a computer that is turned off?

    I think the grandparent is talking about hardware.

    --
    God save our Queen, and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf Forever!
  77. Re:What if by deesine · · Score: 1

    Ah, I've been stung by the pedantic pisser!

    --
    damaged by dogma