Inventor Open Sources "TV-B-Gone," and Why

ptorrone writes "Inventor Mitch Altman explains why he open-sourced his TV-B-Gone kit, the original stealth keychain fob for defeating TVs in public places. The title of the article is 'Patent-B-Gone' and perhaps the most interesting fact is that Mitch's brother is a patent attorney, but he still decided to release an open source hardware version of the TV-B-Gone, with pretty impressive results."

Comments

I for one

[Mipoti Gusundar]

Would be most happy to be owning an election-B-gone. Also, frist past the post!

Re:I for one

[Anonymous Coward]

I am officially open sourcing my firstpost-B-gone

Re:I for one

[cp.tar]

Remember, remember, the 5th of November...

Scarier than ever.

Re:I for one

[Stoutlimb]

This may differ depending on what platform you are running, but usually it's in the form of an "x" on the top-right corner of your browser window.

Functionally it's very similar to the TV-B-Gone.

Re:I for one

[GigaplexNZ]

Since Slashcode has stuff built into it to prevent firstpost

Really? It doesn't seem to work at all. We get the trolling first posts all the time.

Sadly, the only way to prevent any "first posts" is to disable all posts.

A Necessary Addition

[hyades1]

So many offensive television sets in inappropriate places...so little time.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[david duncan scott]

OK, enlighten me. Are you bombarded by TV in public libraries and during funerals, or are you simply irked when a bar-owner decides to show a football game on his TV in his bar?

Me, I carry my Customer-B-Gone, a pair of legs that allow me to absent myself from bars and other public places for a variety of reasons, without imposing my will upon others. Oh sure, it's not nearly as obnoxious as deciding for everybody, but we can't all be petty dictators.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't mind if a bar owner wants to put on a TV in his bar. That doesn't bother me. However, where I live (Orange County, Florida), there are television sets (with sound) in the following places that need not have them, and they are there for no other purpose than to show an announcement that could be served with a poster and no sound:

• Libraries
• Courthouses
• Public Works Office
• School Lobbies
• University Common Areas
• Hospitals
• Waiting Room of the Morgue
• Airport Baggage Claim

There is NO REASON for this.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[sleeponthemic]

OK, enlighten me. Are you bombarded by TV in public libraries and during funerals, or are you simply irked when a bar-owner decides to show a football game on his TV in his bar?

Me, I carry my Customer-B-Gone, a pair of legs that allow me to absent myself from bars and other public places for a variety of reasons, without imposing my will upon others. Oh sure, it's not nearly as obnoxious as deciding for everybody, but we can't all be petty dictators.

We can't all spot sarcasm, either.

(This is sarcasm, what that guy posted was deadly serious).

(Hey, no wait!, don't listen to that sentence, that was the real sarcasm).

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Timmmm]

I once went to a very small bar in America that had ten TVs! Not only that, but one entire side of the bar (it was one of those long thin ones) was a mirror! Twenty TVs in a room that could fit maybe 40 people...

Pretty insane; I can see why people would want this.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

The Deaf.

You can go now.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Meest]

I don't even know how many places this will work? Are there alot of places that do not have Professional grade TV's installed in their places??

I just recently left a commercial installer and all the professional TV's we were installing had no IR/RF it was all RS232 control. If they did the IR was on the back, and we would cover up the sensor with a backup IR control eye with a patch so nothing else could controll it.

Most places I've gone to have done it right and installed TV's that you can't mess with.

There are a few bars that have normal TV's. But if you're in a bar why would you be shutting of someone else's TV's in the first place?? what gives you the right?

I just don't get why you don't just move/leave/go to another establishment...

Re:A Necessary Addition

[cide1]

And we sell iPods in vending machines. We drive pickup trucks that get 12 MPG. We eat big macs like there is no tomorrow. We have shitty beer that you buy in 30 packs. Go on and criticize, but as long as people will spend their money on it, there is someone out there making money by selling them what they want. When it gets too expensive, this over-consumption will stop. In the meantime, there must be people who like to go to bars with lots of TVs. Personally, I prefer to eat somewhere with a TV when I am by myself instead of hearing people criticize what I consider normal.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

UGH! Coffee not working yet.

That should have been THE BLIND!

I'll go now...

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Hognoxious]

But if you're in a bar why would you be shutting of someone else's TV's in the first place?? what gives you the right?

Hey, the customer is always right. But then the other ten guys in there who are wathching the darn thing are also customers.

So it's down to democracy in the end; let Diebold decide.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

If they're in a Wal-Mart, they really don't have any room to be a critic.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[billcopc]

Deaf people don't need sound. I think it's the sound that's most annoying. You can avoid looking at something, but you can't avoid hearing.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[MyLongNickName]

Thanks for the clarification. Your post was +4 informative, and all I could think is "WTF". I was wondering if I was missing something obvious. Apparently the only thing I missed was that you have to have non-functioning brain cells to moderate.

(haven't had mod points in over a year).

Re:A Necessary Addition

[billcopc]

Insane, yes! But think of it as a distinctive mark, a way to sort business into two categories: Infidels, and Non-Infidels.

I'm thinking million-TV-mirror-tardbox goes into the "Infidels" column. I mean come on, the american way is to buy a ginormous plasma, or a projector at the very least.

Now am I suggesting we blow up the infidels ? /sarcasm?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[billcopc]

It's impossible, but wouldn't it be cool to be able to jam those video feeds and insert good old anti-Wal-Mart propaganda ?

"Welcome to the American Dream, now give us your first born!"

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a question of resources. If the message board is displayed and updateable dynamically, one need not use up ink and paper/cardboard each time the board needs updating.

Chalkboard/whiteboards are also an option, but (like paper/cardboard) can be dangerous to update if they're posted up high in a prominent (read: busy) location. (also, chalkboards, though popular, tend to be harder to read for those with visibility problems).

Also, like Airport's posting arrival times, the same information might need to be distributed to multiple locations.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[turtledawn]

Personally I find it to be the other way around- I don't like the slack-jawed, dazed fool I become when there's a TV in the room anywhere I can see it, which is why I try to avoid patronizing businesses that have them. Only hearing it is (usually) no worse than listening to any other inane conversation.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[daem0n1x]

What annoys me more in public places are TVs and tobacco. That's why I don't get out much, I'm fed up going to bars where music is too loud to talk, people are staring at multiple TV sets spread around the place showing junk-TV shows and I get home with my clothes stinking like smoke so bad that I feel like puking.

Nothing against football games. It's fun to get together with friends and watch the game at the local café. But having multiple TVs on all the time is annoying. And they're everywhere.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[sukotto]

bwa ha ha.... my Coffee-B-Gone works!

Re:A Necessary Addition

[v1]

Something the tvbgone users need to realize... those are IR lights. When you press the button and look at the front you don't see anything, or will see a VERY faint dim red flicker, and think oh no one will see that!

But then take it into someplace like walmart with 200 security cameras all over the place. Think back, look at the youtube video, how bright the lights show up on the recording. It's like the white strobe on a fire alarm. Digital cameras are VERY sensitive to IR light, and it shows up bright white. As if that's not bad enough, it's strobing.

Same thing at wal-mart. Nobody on the floor will know you are doing it, but EVERY person in the security room will immediately see the TVBG light up like a white beacon on any camera pointed your way, of which at a wal mart is a good dozen or more at any given time. You'll have about 20 seconds before one of their security personnel to get a call on their radio from the security room and is standing beside you and in a bad mood. The guard may not know what to look for and won't see the light, so the people in the room will tell them to get rid of you. If the guard sees a camera in your hand, there's his excuse.

The field tester that ran into walmart problems was lucky that they didn't realize what he was doing, and kicked him out for filming. (the ppl in the room probably thought the camera was causing the flashing on their monitors) That won't last. They'll be a good deal more unfriendly if they realize there's actual malice intended rather than possibly innocent filming.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[daem0n1x]

It's like when email appeared and everybody was forwarding stupid jokes and chain letters all the time. The basic instinct of people is to like flashing screens all around, but eventually people will find them annoying, i hope.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[v1]

Most of the places with these sets in them though are not installed by professionals, and most of them wouldn't know where to find the IR sensor on the unit anyway.

Lets test you on something you are not familiar with, to level the playing field. Where would you put the tape to stop someone malicious from say, tampering with the IR remote on a 24" iMac doing a powerpoint presentation loop to a crowd or in front of the storefront window?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

So it's down to democracy in the end; let Diebold decide.

Every time I see "Diebold" I still think ATMs, and oddly, that seems to make your comment even more insightful.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

bwa ha ha.... my Coffee-B-Gone works!

OK, now THAT little device is definately going to lead to bloodshed. :)

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Tink2000]

Nowhere.
I'd disable IR, or key it to just one remote. I think doing either of these actions is 4 clicks from the desktop or less.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Strawser]

But then take it into someplace like walmart with 200 security cameras all over the place.

I see an emerging market for security-camera-begone.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

This is something I have NEVER been able to understand. I have always been able to filter out or ignore just about anything I feel like. I can pick out an individual conversation from several feet away in a crowded bar, TVs or radios don't bother me, I just tune them out.

I just don't quite get how seemingly everyone else CAN'T do this.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Toll_Free]

So, you basically went to a sports bar.

There are also bars that have NO televisions in them.

It's called freedom of choice and expression. Two of the things the American settlers left the old world for.

We like having freedom of choice here. And our freedom of expression.

The cool thing was, you could have gone to another bar, one you liked, instead of being in the "sports bar" style place.

That's one of the things that makes our country a great place to live. We can actually make choices, and people with the drive to prosper can keep making (and I agree with you, I HATE the sports bar mentality, the TVs, etc) places the people want to go to.

Just because you didn't like it doesn't mean it doesn't have it's place.

--Toll_Free

Re:A Necessary Addition

[DingerX]

pretty thing with flashing colors and random images and sounds intended to draw your attention. How can you not look?

Oh wait, you really don't function at all without coffee, do you?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[camperdave]

It's like when email appeared and everybody was forwarding stupid jokes and chain letters all the time.

When it appeared? Email has been around for more than twenty years, and I'm still getting stupid jokes and chain letters forwarded to me.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

Yeah, I will look at it, assess that it doesn't need my attention, and proceed to disregard its visual and audio squawking.

Its a box with noise and motion, nothing more.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm an electrician and I've wired a Walmart when it was being built. I can assure you that only ~10% of those black domes contain cameras. It is true that the electronics department has cameras, but the one I worked on only had 2 covering the whole section.

Posted AC because I'm probably not supposed to tell people that.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[pla]

They'll be a good deal more unfriendly if they realize there's actual malice intended rather than possibly innocent filming.

So a few people might get kicked out of Walmart. Turning off their TVs doesn't cause any actual damage, and as long as you leave when asked, you haven't broken any laws.

How does this differ from simply turning them off (which I used to love doing as a young kid - On entering any department store, I'd make a bee-line for the AV department to start gleefully pulling plugs), except that the TV-B-Gone gives you the power to turn off otherwise-inaccessible devices?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[leomekenkamp]

Would that mean you need to make sure that there are loads of mirrors and aim for one of those?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[noidentity]

The time I was in a hospital waiting to see how my father was, I would have been much calmer if there wasn't a fucking TV blaring nearby. Otherwise, sure.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[russotto]

Same thing at wal-mart. Nobody on the floor will know you are doing it, but EVERY person in the security room will immediately see the TVBG light up like a white beacon on any camera pointed your way, of which at a wal mart is a good dozen or more at any given time. You'll have about 20 seconds before one of their security personnel to get a call on their radio from the security room and is standing beside you and in a bad mood. The guard may not know what to look for and won't see the light, so the people in the room will tell them to get rid of you. If the guard sees a camera in your hand, there's his excuse.

Wow. That's some universe you live in, where the Wal-Mart security personnel are not only competent, but responsive to things that aren't obviously shoplifting.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[CastrTroy]

Within the last 10 years where I've lived, they have slowly outlawed tobacco in enclosed public places. Therefore, if you go out to the bar, the only place people can smoke is outside, on the patio. Ever since they did this, I've started to notice just how much of a problem the smoke was. It's really nice to be able to go into a restaurant, and not have to worry about smokers ruining the experience.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[russotto]

Every time I see "Diebold" I still think ATMs, and oddly, that seems to make your comment even more insightful.

My bank recently replaced their Diebold ATMs with NCR ATMs. I have to give the devil his due -- the Diebold ATMs were easier to use and faster. The NCR ATMs have a combination touch-screen and keypad interface with a horrible-feeling keypad and odd points in which you have to switch from screen to keypad and back.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[hedwards]

The issue is that some of us have an extreme reaction to TVs placed where they shouldn't be. One TV placed in a reasonable place for watching TV at home isn't an issue. But TVs that are placed in the way that they are in public seriously affect my tinnitus. For years I couldn't go into the portions of electronics stores with the TV displays because the TVs were emitting something that caused a serious reaction in me.

If they would properly shield the TVs or use ones that didn't do that sort of thing it wouldn't be much of an issue. But people shouldn't have to steer clear of certain parts of a building because some insensitive clod chose to put a superfluous TV there.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[hedwards]

Because of things like ADHD and Tinnitus. Plus it gets worse as people get older. Just because you _can_ do it doesn't mean that 1 it's common to be able to or 2 that it's not harmful to do so.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Hatta]

There are worse things that can happen than getting kicked out of a wal-mart. In fact, you can have quite a lot of fun getting kicked out of a wal-mart.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Gordonjcp]

The guard may not know what to look for and won't see the light, so the people in the room will tell them to get rid of you.

Car central locking plip ;-)

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Just Some Guy]

It is their legal right, but I'm sure plenty of people would like to do something that says, "don't do that."

Why? Really, what gives you the moral right to tell them they can't play their own ads in their own store? What is it they're doing that you have the right to be offended by? Seriously, I'd like to hear a defense of this entitlement theory.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Achromatic1978]

Wow. You're a hero. A credit to us all.

Wait, no you're not. You're a self-righteous, self-centered fuckwit.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Pinckney]

Airports are particularly obnoxious, in my experience. I usually don't have much option to go elsewhere. All I ask is that I be able to sit and read in the only seats available. For some reason, many airports seem to find it necessary to saturate the area with TV's. I've yet to see anyone watching them, for that matter.
As I wrote this, someone in the same computer lab has turned on a device which seems to do nothing but produce a high-pitched whine. Dammit, there's no winning, is there?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[thePowerOfGrayskull]

If they would properly shield the TVs or use ones that didn't do that sort of thing it wouldn't be much of an issue. But people shouldn't have to steer clear of certain parts of a building because some insensitive clod chose to put a superfluous TV there.

As someone who has the same problem, I disagree. If they don't want my business, they're free to put up all the TVs they want. The choice they make is that having the TV will attract more custom than it drives away - and unfortunately, they're correct. That doesn't give me the right to expect them to stop doing it, merely because it inconveniences me.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[93 Escort Wagon]

I don't mind if a bar owner wants to put on a TV in his bar. That doesn't bother me. However, where I live (Orange County, Florida), there are television sets (with sound) in the following places that need not have them, and they are there for no other purpose than to show an announcement that could be served with a poster and no sound:

...

So let me get this straight - you disagree with how they've chosen to disseminate messages, so you think it's okay to prevent them from using their system? Okay, I disagree with a lot of peoples' choice for operating system - but I hadn't thought about forcing their computers to stop working...

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Hognoxious]

Do you find the touch-screen's calibration is always slightly off, so you always hit the wrong thing?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[machine321]

They have that. It's called "black spray paint".

Re:A Necessary Addition

[babyrat]

off topic, but the side effect of this is that you can't go sit on the patio anymore. It used to be OK if there were a couple of people on the patio smoking - you could usually situate yourself away from the smoke, but now with everyone out on the patio smoking (and coming and going for a quick one) us non smoke-likers are stuck inside.

Talk about unanticipated consequences...

Re:A Necessary Addition

[residieu]

Really I feel the opposite. I don't smoke, but bars feel like they've lost something now that they've kicked all the smokers out. A bar just should be filled with a haze of tobacco smoke.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Thiez]

> Seriously, have you ever had a phone ring, and decided to just not answer? People start going crazy around you- the programmed response is so overwhelming they might actually pick it up for you.

Probably because your ringtone is annoying, and they want it to stop. Why can't people just stick to normal ringtones? Every time I hear the 'laughing baby' thing I feel like strangling someone.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Thiez]

> It's called freedom of choice and expression. Two of the things the American settlers left the old world for.

I was under the impression those settlers left the Netherlands because the Dutchies were too liberal?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[lysergic.acid]

personally, i'd much rather they kept a nice supply of magazines in waiting rooms (doctor's office, morgue, dentist's, whatever) instead of a TV--especially one that no one can change the channel on or turn off.

the methadone clinic i currently go to has a TV on the wall that's always on CNN's "Your Health." now, at first i thought this was an appropriate choice since health is an important aspect of recovery, but it got really old, really fast.

first off, methadone patients usually have to go to the clinic every single morning (because we apparently can't be trusted with our own medication). normally, you show up at the clinic, wait for them to call you to the dosing window (only one patient is allowed back at a time); they pour you your dose diluted with water, then they watch you drink it in front of them; and then before you go you're supposed to say something to the nurse so they know that you're not just holding the methadone in your mouth and spitting it into a container when you leave.

unfortunately, methadone clinics are generally very crowded, over worked and understaffed. it gets progressively worse each year since the clinics are all run by a handful of private companies whose main concern is increasing profit margins, so any branches that aren't operating at 150% capacity get shut down, which usually means patients have to drive or take the bus 1-2 hours every morning to reach their nearest clinic. it also means that you're in that waiting room every morning for up to 2-3 hours.

so every morning i show up at the clinic, grab a number (yes, we have numbers, like at the DMV) and sit down in front of the TV to see what Dr. Sanjay Gupta and his female co-host, whatever her name is, have to say--at least for the first 2-3 days, because the TV is always playing re-runs of the same exact program that you just saw the day before (or an hour ago). maybe once every two weeks there's a new show, but no one really watches the TV anymore. it's just there in the background for people to talk over.

aside from the fact that most programs on TV are incredibly stupid and inane these days, the TV in that waiting room is just constantly bombarding waiting patients with commercials for pharmaceutical drugs and wasting electricity. with the embarrassingly low literacy rate in the U.S., it'd actually be a public service to remove that TV and replace it with some books or magazines.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[ccguy]

There are also bars that have NO televisions in them.

It's called freedom of choice and expression. Two of the things the American settlers left the old world for.

Surely they were dissapointed when they couldn't find ANY bar with TV in the new world?

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all day.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[stranger_to_himself]

aside from the fact that most programs on TV are incredibly stupid and inane these days, the TV in that waiting room is just constantly bombarding waiting patients with commercials for pharmaceutical drugs and wasting electricity. with the embarrassingly low literacy rate in the U.S., it'd actually be a public service to remove that TV and replace it with some books or magazines.

I think the real issue there is that TV adverts for pharmaceutical products should be banned.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

Hell... I'd go so far as to call that perfectly fine justification for war. Coffee, beer, and my dog. You can take the truck, wife, and PCs. Just don't touch those.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[lysergic.acid]

so because you consider eating in front of a TV normal other people have to feel the same way? no one is coming into your living room and turning off your TV during dinner. if you don't want to hear other people talk, don't go out into public. it's simple as that.

instead of complaining about people criticizing what you consider normal, maybe you should actually examine those criticisms to see if they have any merit. just because something is "normal" for you doesn't mean it's good. it was quite normal to be a racist in America up until very recently (and it probably still is the norm in some places). it was also normal to use CFCs in many commercial products before we realized it was destroying the ozone.

and, maybe this is just me, but i usually only go out to bars or other public hangouts when i want to socialize with others. if i wanted to watch TV by myself and be left alone (or whine about people criticizing my lifestyle) then i'll just stay home.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[puto]

Good for you that you are in recovery. Addiction is hard to to beat.

I kicked opiate and amphetamine addiction at the same time. Did it cold turky as well. While living in Colombia where all drugs are cheap, including prescription ones. Closer to the source for coke and heroin.

You are lucky to have a methadone clinic to go to, no matter how much it annoys you that CNN is on TV, are that it is understaffed, or the floors or dirty. Trying kicking a habit in the third world.

And addicts cannot be trusted with their medications. Addiction and lack of self control got you there in the first place. Be thankful you have a place to go to.

So you have to watch a little shitty TV and wait in line to get your maintenance high. So what.

I hope you make it. I personally do not beleive you should treat an addiction with another addiction.

I liked to get high. Never blamed anyone, never expected anyone to hand out the happy pills either when I wanted to taper off. I just made a decision, took the hard way, makes you appreciate it more.

The problem I have is not with your drug use, but the fact that most people thinks that the general public needs to cater to their every whim. Addicts and regular folks alike.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[spire3661]

Happens to me everytime i use my debit card at 7-11 the $5 cash back button is so close to the 'no' button,

Re:A Necessary Addition

[raddan]

Grocery stores are the worst. Our local grocery has installed these around every corner, usually featuring some strange man extolling the virtues of white-flesh peaches. It's basically impossible to carry out a conversation with someone in those stores-- as if the horrific music weren't enough. I'd stop buying food if that were an option.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jamieswith]

You're calling him an iMac user now? Man that's cold.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Anonymous Coward]

Can take the PCs?!?!...
We have a spy among us!
Your geek papers please.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Dr_Barnowl]

As far as I know, it's been done, but you're right, a "halo" of bright, strobing, IR LEDs would obscure your face on CCD cameras without IR filters (and they don't usually put them on, because of the reduction in light collection).

The comments here would seem to suggest that it's not going to work for all cameras though.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[SmokeyTheBalrog]

Somehow clicked AC
Lost all chance for Karma whoring.
Oh, my poor Haiku.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

For those of you who want to see proof of this simply use your cell phone or digital camera in movie mode or just through the viewer. I find it shows up a bit better (or more clearly) in the dark but it is really rather a neat thing to see if you want.

If you *really* want you can go into a dark room and get close to the wall. Point the camera at the wall and leave the view finder on. Aim the remote where the camera is aimed and press the power button and hold it as that one seems to stay on with most every remote I've ever used. You can even see the IR light on the wall. It's kind of neat if you're really that bored.

Yes, in b4 "You have no life."

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

Don't be too sure about that. I can think of two laws that you might be considered having broken if you do so and the D.A. is up for re-election.

1) Criminal Mischief - you are tampering with something that doesn't belong to you and is certainly (implied at the least) not meant to be controlled by you and you're creating a hardship.

2) Criminal Trespass - this would be the more damning as far as I know and is much less broad. In this case you're ON the property to do things it is clearly not intended for you to do. The signs that say things like "No Skateboarding" that aren't put there by the town officials (an unregulated zone) are there for that reason, so that they can demonstrate that the property was being used other than intended and thus have reasonable cause for this charge.

Finally, the name may vary, but a hard ass D.A. could actually MAYBE attempt to charge (you'd plea to a lesser charge at this point surely) that you've committed willful destruction of property in that the resulting surge of power for every single instance the power was cycled reduced the longevity of the device. That would be rare and I'm sure that there are more important things for a D.A. to do but - again - this is NOT a good idea folks.

As much as I hate Wal-Mart (to the point of refusing to step foot in one) and would love to see people doing this you can and might actually get into a bit of legal trouble for doing this. It won't be anything more than a fine (probably) and maybe some community service in most areas but it isn't really worth it.

Instead... Have your favorite black person go into Wal-Mart and PRETEND to steal something or at least look/act like they're doing so. When they leave they should be stopped. Have them protest loudly. They'll either get free stuff or you can have fun with them with a giant protest outside their property, notifying the press, and generally calling them racist assholes. If you are black you can skip a step.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

As a cigar smoker (the worst type, I know) I have two words to say to you:

Ha ha!

Oh - and I do hope you're happy with having pushed the smokers outside so that you can no longer enjoy it. Okay okay... Really... I'm one of the *good* smokers who doesn't typically smoke around anyone other than other smokers, leaves the room to smoke, has a single smoking area in the house, and long before there were laws chose to not smoke cigarettes or cigars in front of children. However...

1) Outlaw smoking in bars.
2) Smokers stay home and drink.
3) Bar patrons more often had a sober driver or took a taxi (at least in my area).
4) Smokers now need to go get more alcohol.
5) Drunk smokers are now not under the social stigma of driving drunk and people knowing it.
6) Smoker drives to store instead of staying put to order more alcohol.
7) *** Not seeing any profit here ***
8) Smoking drunk drives.

Brilliant fucking move nanny state lovers. You might argue that they'd have driven anyhow but I can tell you, first hand, that MANY people had reached the point where they were comfortable leaving their vehicles at the bar or getting a sober driver ahead of time. I can tell you, first hand, that I know people that now don't bother going to the bar and instead go to the store themselves and are now much more prone to driving drunk.

Me? I'm fortunate. I have a wife that doesn't drink. I can sit here working from home and chug beer all day long and, if I run out, I have a ride to the store. (In Maine, where I am, there is almost no such thing as walking to the store. You'd either freeze, bake, get lost, or get really friggen tired.)

TL;DR: Entirely silly drivel of no importance, you can move on now.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[finiteSet]

OK, now THAT little device is definately going to lead to bloodshed. :)

I see you installed the Firefox add-on "Spell-Check-B-Gone."

In compliance with the your "Spelling-Nazi-B-Gone," I will now stop talking.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[russotto]

Do you find the touch-screen's calibration is always slightly off, so you always hit the wrong thing?

This particular interface has enough space between active areas to avoid that, but actually hitting the part of the button which is actually active is a problem for the same reason.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[smellsofbikes]

In addition to other reply's 'black spray paint' -- a laser pointer, through the optics systems of many digital cameras, is sufficient to injure the camera's sensor. Nice because you don't have to get up there with a stepladder and spraypaint.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jollyreaper]

I'm an electrician and I've wired a Walmart when it was being built.

So if Luke or Lando blew up the Walmart you were building, is your death their fault or did you know what you were doing and taking your chances?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[crazybilly]

I've thought about building a TV-B-Gone for that very reason. TV sucks me in. It has less to do with the visual stimulation/ADD/whatever and more to do with the fact that "It's a TV! It's on! Watch it! That's why it's on!!"

I don't watch TV much normally. So when I do, I WATCH it.

Which doesn't necessarily make for good dinner conversation.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

LOL My PCs I can replace easily and I'm VERY anal about my backups so I won't lose a shard of data even if they were to all explode right now. Hell, actually, I'd lose my browser's history (and that's it) if the entire place burned to the ground. Not to mention - I still would have my cell which *will do* until they are replaced.

Coffee or beer I'd have to actually DO something to replace it and those need immediate replacement. The dog? Oh don't touch the dog or it is on. (Actually he'd love it if you would just pet him and maybe give him a treat or two.) But, man, he was a bitch to live with as a puppy so he's too much work too.

Err... I should elaborate on the last bit. I don't TRAIN my dogs. (I only have one at a time though so it is just one at the moment.) Instead I invite them to be my companion and I ask that they behave. It is sort of like I don't TRAIN my children, I raise them and try to teach them while giving them the freedom to be individuals. My kids are grand and my dog always comes, sits, listens, fetches, stays, hunts, etc though he does those things because he wants to. He's a Golden Retriever who's nickname is Stupid and I'll toss a ball for him until he stops bringing it back. He got so used to me pointing to my right leg saying, "Want to go for a walk?" Now he won't walk behind the left one no matter who tries to convince him.

Hmm... Wait... No? I guess that would be some form of training now that I think about it but hopefully you get the point of my digression. I guess the point is that he was a pain in the ass as a puppy and too much work to replace. I guess I should have included my children on the list. Anyhow, I just basically have let him roam free and make up his own damned mind as to what type of dog he was going to be, it works well.

You can have the wife (or the ex) as those CAN be replaced. Kids, dog, coffee, and beer -- NOT touchable. Those are grounds for war.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[geminidomino]

Actually, back when I was working retail "tech support" for $WeStripSearchCustomers, we used to use this trick all the time for testing whether remotes or sensors were bad.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[reidconti]

UGH! Coffee not working yet.

That should have been THE BLIND!

I'll go now...

WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU. SPEAK LOUDER, I'M DEAF!

Re:A Necessary Addition

[reidconti]

bwa ha ha.... my Coffee-B-Gone works!

OK, now THAT little device is definately going to lead to bloodshed. :)

Aha! It seems my Blood-B-Gone plans are coming together nicely!

Re:A Necessary Addition

[ceoyoyo]

Make sure you get one of these too:

http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2008/02/led_security_camera_disruptor.html

Actually, why not just put the two together? What? You want to throw me out because of my hat? Fascist pig!

Re:A Necessary Addition

[dave420]

Then complain. Don't take it into your own hands to rectify this situation. Just because you can't see the point doesn't mean there isn't one - they might be there for emergency reasons, or who knows what. The arrogance of "these places don't need TVs" is staggering.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[More_Cowbell]

those are IR lights. When you press the button and look at the front you don't see anything, or will see a VERY faint dim red flicker

Dude. If you know someone that can see the Infrared Spectrum with their naked eye, please have them give me a call.
I'm quite sure I can think up a few ways to capitalize on that... ;)

Re:A Necessary Addition

[starfishsystems]

So many offensive television sets in inappropriate places...so little time.

I totally agree. Occasionally I travel to the United States for business, where it seems I cannot get away from television sets intruding on my attention wherever I go. Airports, lobbies, even conference rooms, it's like nowhere else on the planet.

The worst, for me personally, is going down to the hotel restaurant for a nice quiet breakfast to center my thoughts before a busy day. Instead my experience is going to be invaded by televisions prominently blaring the "news" which I find to be narcissistic, alarmist, and largely irrelevant.

What a relief it is to be able to get away from that. Other cultures have their own weirdnesses, so it's not that I want to single out the States for criticism. It's just that my work brings me into contact with this particular one most often.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[boombaard]

> It's called freedom of choice and expression. Two of the things the American settlers left the old world for.

I was under the impression those settlers left the Netherlands because the Dutchies were too liberal?

Furthermore, "Freedom of religious beliefs" was only agreed upon in the US because it [turned out to be/was] impossible to prosecute every heresy people could think up.
I don't believe the Colonies actually settled in the US because they wanted Freedom of Religion, they just wanted to live somewhere where *they* could be the Top Dog [most colonies early on did try to enforce Orthodoxy of some kind or another, they just didn't succeed at it]. Only when they realized they couldn't do so did they settle for Tolerance, in stead of creating their beloved Second Eden.
In essence, pretty much the same as what happened in the OW, only with the caveat that it has been misremembered/-interpreted by modern day Americans, who now at times enjoy "mocking" (or whatever it is supposed to be that they're hoping to do) 'unfree' (Continental?) Europe. [Where we actually have the right to be atheist]
To be honest, I haven't a clue what part of the world he was contrasting the USA with by putting so much stress on "Freedom of choice [between interchangeable consumer goods]", but whatever makes him happy, I suppose.

Still, it's nice that some people still believe that shtick about Freedom.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[z80kid]

> or are you simply irked when a bar-owner decides to show a football game on his TV in his bar?

Funny, I asked people a similar question when our state recently passed it's new non-smoking law.

Like you, I was under the mis-apprehension that a proprietor owns his establishment. I was unaware that it was a "public place", which seems to mean that it belongs to the customers who vote on how to run it - with the loudest votes counting the most.

I'll bet the proprietor is feeling quite the fool for having paid for it.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Zashi]

I can. Seriously. It was stronger when I was younger. I could see remote controls flicker when the buttons were pushed. Never realized I was seeing something most other people can't see until I got older. It's obviously only a small part of the infrared spectrum I can see, close to visible red. All the same, I do see it.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[dave562]

Television is more than just a box with noise and motion. The programs and especially the commercials are developed in a way that they draw the attention. They are called "programs" for a reason. They program the viewer to pay attention. Most of the programming takes place on a subconscious level and has to do with alternating the volume levels (a simple example of that is that the commercials are always louder than the shows) and also with the frequency that the images are displayed and changed. You may be able to tune it out but the vast majority of the population cannot. You probably have a form of ADHD that allows you to become hyper concentrated. It is definitely an asset, but decidely outside of the "norm". Television programming is way more intrusive than normal conversations.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[canUbeleiveIT]

From Wikipedia:

Antisocial personality disorder (APD) is a mental disorder. It is defined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual: "The essential feature for the diagnosis is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood." Deceit and manipulation are considered essential features of the disorder.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[CFTM]

Arn't you supposed to follow that up with, "Boom, headshot!"?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[More_Cowbell]

Yeah, I can see that as well. My speculation is that the LED is not producing only infrared light. A quick check and Wikipedia seems to agree, but I'm not by any means an expert.
Also I was just trying to be funny.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Have Blue]

And if for some reason you can't do that, the IR receiver is behind the Apple logo.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[lotsotech]

I work for a professional installer and I have no idea what TVs you're talking about. Are you thinking of (large-ish) computer monitors? I can't think of a single pro TV that doesn't have IR.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[soupforare]

That's one of the things that makes our country a great place to live. We can actually make choices, and people with the drive to prosper can keep making (and I agree with you, I HATE the sports bar mentality, the TVs, etc) places the people want to go to.

Except for those dirty smokers, fuck them.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

So because I have the ability to fine-tune and hone my senses I have a disorder now?

Re:A Necessary Addition

[dave562]

Your original post said something to the effect of, "I don't know why everyone can't do what I do." The fact that you can do it makes you abnormal. The ability to hyper concentrate is outside of the norm. It happens to be one of the symptoms of ADHD. "Normal" people are distracted by television.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Still an AC]

Not only that, those 2 camera are always pointed at an employee. When my Credit Card got stolen, the thief went into WalMart and charged the hell out of it (so nice of the CC company to raise my limit on the spot for them). When I asked if they could use the camera that's over the register to get a picture of the guy that stole my CC, i was told that's there to stop employee shrinkage (theft), and wasn't aimed to see what the customer was doing.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[sootman]

Then I'll just run out and pick up a filter that blocks IR light and put that over the front of my TV-B-Gone. Whaddya say NOW, smart guy?!?

(Just to save some humor-impaired reader from composing a reply telling me why this is a bad idea: I'm joking.)

Re:A Necessary Addition

[taucross]

Ah, but with TV-B-Gone, we CAN be petty dictators! And to those of you that have Customer-B-Gone, it won't make any difference. See, we can all have what we want.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[v1]

we actually went looking for the opposite of that awhile back. Took an IR source (LED) and a night vision camera (this was before everyone had a digital camera) to a glass store. Sorted through about 100 sheets of glass for anything that looked to be nearly or completely black glass.

Found ONE sheet that was 100% black, but you could see the IR light clearly through it with the camera. Took it home and cut it into circular sheets to replace the front glass on some spotlights. Turned them into heat/IR lights. Turn on a 1 mil candle light, and you see nothing, but will make your eyes water if it shines at you. And gets you warm, even from a distance. Lights stuff up like day to the night vision camera too.

Apple uses something similar for their apple logo on the front of the machine, passes IR but absorbs 100% of visible light. The dye they used in that sheet of glass is transparent to IR. You can also get ratin filters for black and white cameras, so you can take flash photos in places that you either aren't allowed a flash or don't want to be a distraction. Only takes black and white photos though since it's not passing color light. Those flash filters are expensive though. That sheet of glass we got cost a few bucks. Just one military grade filter for a spotlight costs about $35. (and they were equally effective) Also cut a small one for the maglight.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[taucross]

Just because you don't like TV-B-Gone doesn't mean it doesn't have its place.

There, fixed that for you.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Dun Malg]

Probably because your ringtone is annoying, and they want it to stop. Why can't people just stick to normal ringtones? Every time I hear the 'laughing baby' thing I feel like strangling someone.

One of my idiot coworkers has the Spongebob Squarepants theme for his "family" ringtone, and his wife calls him 12 times a day. I want to murder him.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Dun Malg]

Look, if you can't even be bothered to google the laws your citing to see if they're applicable, don't waste our time with posts full of idle uninformed armchair speculation.

1) criminal mischief requires "damage, defacement, alteration, or destruction of property". Turning off a TV is none of those (no, not even "alteration").

2) trespassing on property open to the public (e.g. a store) requires that you be asked to leave and then refuse.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Rennt]

I'd be very surprised if any organization would do what you suggested for reasons other than being extremely stingy.

It's fairly common practice, physical security firms often recommend it. For most casual thieves/vandals an empty enclosure is as much as a deterrent as one with a camera. If you are more concerned with preventing crime then punishment after the fact (a very reasonable position - its much cheaper that way) it makes a lot of sense.

Even law enforcement does it. In my city red light camera and fixed speed camera enclosures are often empty. They move the cameras they do have around from time to time to keep drivers guessing, but most drivers will behave themselves if they see the enclosure, empty or no.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[toddestan]

It's getting to the point where it's getting cheaper to equip most/all the domes with cameras rather than having a handful of cameras then paying people to move them around when the need arises. Generally the biggest problem now is having the personel to monitor all the cameras, followed by having enough recording devices to capture all the video from the cameras.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[stephanruby]

Are you bombarded by TV in public libraries and during funerals, or are you simply irked when a bar-owner decides to show a football game on his TV in his bar?

I've been bombarded by TV in Japanese subways, by SUVs in front of me at night with built-in TVs, in Thai Air-conditioned Buses (for some reason, Thai people really love badly dubbed stupid American action movies, that's the only thing they'll show, and of course there is only one set of speakers for everyone), American Shell gas stations, newer diebold ATMs, American high end supermarkets produce sections/cashier's section, many elevators in modern buildings, reception areas, and freeway lighted super-bright jumbo signs and/or very large public squares lighted jumbo signs.

That being said, I very much doubt that gizmo would really work on any of those TVs. So I'll just wait until they can implant a computer into my optical nerves that will filter all that extra noise before it gets into my brain (no doubt, science fiction readers already know what I'm talking about). On second-thought, I think I'll just medicate myself to dull my senses and dull my brain cells until they get that computer thingy worked out, they seem to have some really nice psychometric drugs they're constantly advertising on American television.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[st0rmshad0w]

This was not an inate thing, it was developed over time. Learning to pick out specific sounds from background noise, learning not to be distracted by peripheral movement or sudden noises, tracking an objects movement even while it is obscured. I also taught myself to do the opposite and observe the totality of a scene, and am far less likely to fall prey to tunnel vision, etc.

I don't see this as any different than learning to judge distances or speeds (which most people can't).

The point being, I wasn't doing this as a kid, I LEARNED to do it. It's not actually very difficult. I just think that the majority of people don't think about how to use their senses. Or bother to learn.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[david duncan scott]

I quit smoking ten years ago, but yes, I agree. In fact, I wondered why the various bars that anticipated the ban weren't fabulously successful--surely if there was this enormous public pressure, then smoke-free bars would be doing land-office business, right?

Actually I noticed that when one county went smoke-free, the establishments in that county began agitating for a state-wide ban, which strongly suggested to me that they felt at a competitive disadvantage, and wanted to share the misery.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[Doggabone]

... he was a bitch to live with as a puppy...

Probably due to the good animal's gender confusion!

Re:A Necessary Addition

[noidentity]

How about a solution which works for everyone? Mute the TV and turn closed-captioning on. Then it's not something that imposes on everyone in the room, looking at the TV or not.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[TheoMurpse]

No, the settlers left Soviet Russia because bering straits you.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[TheoMurpse]

Office building != Wal-Mart. Or didn't you realize different companies have different policies?

I went to a store with no security cameras. That doesn't mean your office has no security cameras.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[KGIII]

Your state laws may vary but, I'll cite the first one.

A. Damages or destroys the property of another, having no reasonable grounds to believe that the person has a right to do so; damages or destroys property to enable any person to collect insurance proceeds for the loss caused; or tampers with the property of another, having no reasonable grounds to believe that the person has the right to do so, and thereby impairs the use of that property; [1991, c. 824, Pt. D, Â3 (RPR).]

The second may not be an option for them to charge you. The first certainly is. I even bolded the important bits for you. I could probably find a few dozen other laws that this violates, that's the "beauty" of the system. It doesn't much matter what you do, chances are it is illegal.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[dave562]

I think that you aren't giving yourself enough credit. What you do actually requires a lot of training and very few people are naturally intuitive enough to accomplish the same thing. I can do similar things but I spend large quantities of time meditating and I've also done some pretty intensive bio-feedback training that really helped me tune into consciously controlling my awareness. I also do a fair amount of martial arts training, specifically tai chi and kung fu. The training definitely requires a certain type of awareness and focus to do well. I don't know about your experiences but I've found that even things like my diet influence my ability to achieve the levels of concentration that I want. From what you've written I get the impression that you've spent a large portion of your life honing your abilities and probably continue to hone them all the time, albeit probably on a subconscious level for the most part.

Most people do not have the time, knowledge, inclination or ability to develop heightened levels of control over their senses and awareness. In fact our culture encourages the exact opposite and television serves as a primary example of that. Television overwhelms the senses. Television programming has been developed to bombard the senses with so much input that the conscious mind shuts down and the programming goes straight into the subconscious.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[doom]

... and I get home with my clothes stinking like smoke so bad that I feel like puking.

You raise an interesting, subtly-related issue. No doubt the unreconstructed libertarians here would argue that it is the right of the bar to set whatever smoking policy they choose, but the experience in places like SF and NY where it's been outlawed is that everyone, uh, "breathes a sigh of relief" about it, including the smokers. It turns out that no one likes any one else's second-hand smoke, and where indoor-smoking is outlawed suddenly a social scene pops up out on the street where people can talk to each other (because, after all, the music is much quieter also).

It's little things like this that have turned me against libertarianism -- if you're going to go around claiming that you have some deep understanding "human nature" it's not a bad idea to actually, you know, observe human behavior and not just rely on theory.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jonadab]

Bloodshed? I was thinking more in terms of spectacular amounts of wealth...

1. Buy up all the coffee plantations in Columbia
2. Deploy agents to all other coffee-producing countries with Coffee-B-Gone.
3. ???
4. Profit!

Coffee drinkers will pay whatever it takes to get themselves going in the morning, so after putting this plan into effect, the brilliant enterpreneur should be able to buy a medium-sized island to retire on. Honshu, perhaps.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jonadab]

> You probably have a form of ADHD that allows you to become hyper concentrated.

That makes no sense whatsoever. If he had any form of ADHD, he would be, if anything, hypo concentrated, because that's what ADHD *is*, by definition. Under no circumstances does it confer the ability to focus more exclusively on one thing.

Asperger's, conceivably (though Occam's razor would suggest otherwise). ADHD, no.

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jonadab]

> Posted AC because I'm probably not supposed to tell people that.

It would be impossible to keep that secret. But to significantly exploit it you'd have to have a way of determining at any given time is *which* of them are real. (Of course, you could hire a group of bored teenagers to probe this with a low-threat attack that won't get them in any serious trouble...)

Re:A Necessary Addition

[jonadab]

> Finally, the name may vary, but a hard ass D.A. could actually MAYBE attempt to charge
> (you'd plea to a lesser charge at this point surely) that you've committed willful
> destruction of property in that the resulting surge of power for every single instance
> the power was cycled reduced the longevity of the device.

Turning a device off constitutes willful destruction? Seriously? Come on. If the judge is sufficiently in their pocket that he allows this argument, you'd be screwed no matter what. They could just as well charge you with racketeering and blackmail because, umm, you were holding the TV for ransom.

Trespass is possible, but they have to claim that they asked you to leave, and it's the kind of offense that mostly gets you escorted off their property, generally speaking.

The angle they really are going to have to work if they want to have any hope of getting you in any significant trouble is the tampering angle, that you were messing with their equipment and thus interfering with their ability to do what it is they do. At minimum by shutting down the television you disrupted a "service" (their lawyer must say this with a straight face) that they were providing to their customers, which potentially could be argued to interfere with the operation of their business, blah, blah, blah. An intelligent judge will presumably say, "Wait, all he did was turn off an annoying television. Did you try asking him to knock it off?" Of course, calculating the odds that you will get an intelligent judge is left as an exercise.

Well done, sir.

[g253]

A fantastic little device, and a very nice move.

Thanks, Mr Altman.

Re:Well done, sir.

[Anonymous Coward]

But seriously, Frenchy, what gives you the right to enforce your will upon others.

Coming from an American... oh delicious irony.

Re:Well done, sir.

[johnsonav]

Must be the Germans invading it. Twice.

Don't forget about the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. You know, the one the Germans actually won.

Re:Well done, sir.

[Toll_Free]

You are right!!!

It's hard to remember what they win, though... When the fallacy's are so evident.

But, thanks for the clarification.

--Toll_Free

So glad this was posted

[halcyon1234]

I was watching a news report about this topic at the pub the other day. Well, I tried to watch it, but the fritzy TV kept turning off.

Brilliant!

[camperdave]

Great! Now there are technological aids to help people be annoying in public. Oh, and they're "open source", so anyone can build one. Beware Future Shop! Beware Best Buy! People can turn off your TVs by remote control. Ooooo! Scary!

Now here's the brilliant part. On one hand, this guy can market his TV-b-Gone, and on the other hand, he can market to big box stores a special security device. A discrete little box that you stick on the IR sensor and block malicious signals. The box contains a couple of IR LEDs, and a descrambler chip. The chip decodes signals from the special remote control (which he also will sell) so that the stores still have control over their TVs.

Re:Brilliant!

[archshade]

You could bye my signal blocker it consists of 2 pieces of Velcro that fix it to the tv and a piece of material with the other half's of the Velcro either side allowing for removal of device the material goes over the IR sensor stopping signals getting though.

Re:Brilliant!

[sleeponthemic]

Have you heard about the discrete IR blocker they generally use in these stores? I believe it is marketed as "Black Tape". But don't be fooled. It isn't authentically black :)

Re:Brilliant!

[Lumpy]

sorry but that little black box will not work.

my 1W IR led version will turn off a set with black tape over the IR receiver sensor. the plastic around the sensor area carries the ir signal in to the sensor for me. SO unless you encase the entire set in a black box it will not work.

and yes, it's good to be annoying when it comes to frivolities like TV. I wish more people were annoying in regards to frivolities.

Re:Brilliant!

[MasterOfMagic]

Or they could use a small piece of electrical tape, but you know, keep on smoking that crack...

Re:Brilliant!

[jonaskoelker]

he can market to big box stores a special security device.

Here's a sci-fi idea: connect TV to internets. Connect cell phone to internets. Point cell phone at TV, display says "Now controlling TV model $foo", push the off button.

Behind the scenes, all devices have crypto key pairs. The TV signs its IP address and identifier, broadcasts via something short-range [bluetooth, IR]. The phone does the power-down RPC to the broadcast IP address, signed by its key; the TV verifies the signature, shuts down.

The attacker can still put a radio/light jammer nearby, or cut the wire, or whatever. I don't know how that can be handled. But that's a problem inherent to the medium.

Denying the bad people access is easy. Preventing bad people from denying good people access is not that easy.

Re:Brilliant!

[camperdave]

Silly rabbit! Using that method, the store clerks would have to break out a step ladder and climb up to each TV, and pull off the tape any time they wanted to adjust the volume or change the channel, or turn the TV off at night. It would be far simpler to just install the IR scrambler... especially if it doubles as the anti-theft device.

Re:Brilliant!

[SpiderClan]

You need taller employees.

Re:Brilliant!

[DrLang21]

I'm sure that device is already patent pending.

Re:Brilliant!

[Hoi Polloi]

Yah, I see big-box stores that hire people at near minimum wage putting devices in front of every display on the remote off chance that someone would (horrors!) turn off a tv with a remote. I guarantee you if they tried that half of them would be broken and the other half would be misplaced, not used properly, or have dead batteries.

My biggest problem with the tv-b-gone is that the receivers on tvs doesn't have a very wide angle of reception. Makes it hard to get the tv over your shoulder to shut off.

Re:Brilliant!

[Oktober Sunset]

I have already filed a patent for a way to stop this. I call it,'little-bit-of-electrical-tape-over-the-IR-sensor'

Re:Brilliant!

[houstonbofh]

and yes, it's good to be annoying when it comes to frivolities like TV. I wish more people were annoying in regards to frivolities.

Not to say that violence is good, but it is annoying people that become the target of rage more often that others. So go ahead and enforce your judgments on others. Just don't be surprised when someone does the same to you. It won't be right, but it may be painful.

Re:Brilliant!

[Just Some Guy]

and yes, it's good to be annoying when it comes to frivolities like TV. I wish more people were annoying in regards to frivolities.

You're an elitist ass. I'm not going to get in a pissing match about which of us is smarter, but statistically speaking there's a high probability you'd come out on the low end of that one. Still, sometimes I pry my attention away from fine arts and subtle discourse to watch "Bones" or "The Office". You say "frivolity" and I say "needed pressure release".

Get off your high horse and accept that some people relax using other methods than yours. The ability to enjoy the occasional sitcom or sports event is a positive sign of good mental adjustment.

Re:Brilliant!

[eh2o]

Ooo... where do you get a 1W IR led?

Re:Brilliant!

[Lumpy]

http://www.etopsell.com/13961.html
I have also found them on Ebay. use one of the regular 1W led focusing lenses and I can nail all the sets in a store window from 3 blocks away at night.

I am certain that it will also shut off tv's in random apartments by simply aiming at their window from street level. I have yet to try it.. I need to mount it on the top of a cheap camcorder with the IR filter removed to act as a cheapie night vision scope so I can see what windows I am successfully targeting.

I hope to find a 3W version soon that will be even more effective...

That way I can walk the streets and inflict my elitism upon humanity..... MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

purpose?

[owlnation]

So, other than creating a public nuisance almost certain to result in getting your face punched, what EXACTLY is the point of this device?

And, while we're here, The reason why he open sourced it, is purely for the purpose of getting a slashvertisment -- and successfully too.

Re:purpose?

[Jimmy King]

It's also hilarious in schools when they are forcing you to watch Channel 1 News. I know we always got a laugh when someone brought in a remote that could control the tvs in the classrooms. They do still show that, right?

Re:purpose?

[Mr. Underbridge]

So, other than creating a public nuisance almost certain to result in getting your face punched, what EXACTLY is the point of this device?

It's for sanctimonious, condescending assholes who think TV is beneath them, and who need to force their choice upon others.

In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;)

Re:purpose?

[ptorrone]

it's an electronics kit, i've seens thousands of kids make these and later their parents tell me that their kids want to be engineers. it's hard to know what will "spark" a kid's mind to get excited about doing things like engineering, but this is one of them.

(phil from MAKE magazine)

Re:purpose?

[sleeponthemic]

The point of the device is actually to cause a public nuisance, almost certainly without getting your face punched.

(This means you completely missed the point)

Re:purpose?

[hal9000(jr)]

So, other than creating a public nuisance almost certain to result in getting your face punched, what EXACTLY is the point of this device?
Don't get out much, do you? More TV's are popping up everywhere and they are getting turned up louder. The more people talk the louder the TV gets. Then people talk even louder to be heard over the TV, which in turn means the TV gets turned up. go to any bar and I will almost guarantee that the sound is way too loud and NO ONE is watching/listening.

Or goto the airport and there are TV's everywhere, also turned up. Gee, I am about to spend a few hours jammed in a noisy tube. But before that, I am going to be subjected to a noisy terminal.

I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?

Re:purpose?

[VShael]

In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;)

Hah. I've been managing that for years without the aid of technology.

Re:purpose?

[hal2814]

"go to any bar and I will almost guarantee that the sound is way too loud and NO ONE is watching/listening."

I'm not a big bar patron but I do go to watch the occasional sporting event. I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the bar is watching and listening during that time.

"I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?"

In someone else's bar or airport? No, you don't.

Re:purpose?

[neumayr]

There are uses for that device that wouldn't bother anyone, I'm sure.
I recently had to spend some time in a waiting room with a huge TV that did nothing but show a few ads in a loop. And it wasn't just a TV, it was an overengineered system controlled by some PC somewhere. Anyways, the system that controlled the TV really sucked, reducing the framerate when overlaying some ad over the other, causing flickering.
It was obvious that a number of people were annoyed by that screen, and those that weren't somehow managed to ignore that constant flickerfest. In that environment, I'm sure the civil disobedience of turning of this device would not be frowned upon.

Re:purpose?

[st0rmshad0w]

In other words, it's for getting your face punched. ;) Hah. I've been managing that for years without the aid of technology.

Luddite.

Re:purpose?

[pseudonomous]

I wonder if these could turn off those annoying TVs they have at supermarket checkout lines.

Re:purpose?

[catbertscousin]

Jerry Springer.

Re:purpose?

[geminidomino]

I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?

Yes. Plant your sanctimonious, entitled ass in your own living room with the TV turned off, you self-righteous prick.

Re:purpose?

[poot_rootbeer]

go to any bar and I will almost guarantee that the sound is way too loud and NO ONE is watching/listening.

There already exists a device for this situation, and it is called "asking the staff of the bar if they wouldn't mind turning the TVs down/off".

Or, alternately, "leaving".

I like TV, but not all the time. Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?

At home, absolutely. In public places, yes to a certain extent. In private establishments, no, very little.

Re:purpose?

[Bloke down the pub]

I always thought the idea was:
1) Turn the TV/music up so loud that people give up trying to talk to each other.
2) Without their mouths being used for otehr purposes, people drink more.
3) ...
4) Profit!!!

Re:purpose?

[mstockman]

I wonder if these could turn off those annoying TVs they have at supermarket checkout lines.

I tried this. Unfortunately, they all just jumped back on automatically.

In the same supermarket, I also turned off those infomercial TVs they had scattered about the store, attached to the ceilings. The TVBGone turned off the video, but left the audio running, so I assume the audio system was separately connected to their DVD player. Darn it.

Re:purpose?

[geminidomino]

So when I don't want to be distrubed by blaring noise 24/7, I am an prick. When you want to impose your noise on others, that's OK.
 

If it's MY house, MY bar, MY store, then yes. Anyone who comes to my place and complains about my TV, music, decor, whatever is going to reminded of the location of the door.

Let's see, since it's election day, let me take a stab in the dark and predict that you are going to vote conservative with McCain/Palin because like you, they want to impose their will on others.

Actually, you fail. (see here)

And how is forcing the TVs off because YOU don't like it not "imposing your will on others", hypocrite?

Ever notice most liberal want to let others do what they want and most conservatives want others to do as they do?

Then you must be conservative, by your own definition. I hope the cognitive dissonance gives you a stroke, you waste of oxygen.

Re:purpose?

[geminidomino]

I always wondered why people go to bars at all, unless looking for one-night stands. It's cheaper to buy two bottles and drink at home. This is what my friends and I do, and it confers the added benefit of an awesome meal (the common host is an incredible cook) and we can be as loud, boisterous, or downright goofy as we want. No one gets offended (not even the females!) and we all go home happy (if a little tired for waiting for the booze to wear off)

Re:purpose?

[Hatta]

What about the assholes who think TV is for everyone, and need to force their choice upon others?

Re:purpose?

[An ominous Cow art]

I own one of these devices, and in the last two years have only used it "in anger" (i.e. not at my or a friend's house as a joke or demonstration) 3 times, all while standing in line, once in a bank and twice in Town Hall. All three occasions CNN was playing. I don't care about that, but when the commercials started, I shut them down. I'm not going to have assholes begging me to waste money on their useless crap while I'm in a place I can't escape from.

I simply won't patronize a restaurant with annoying stuff like that (except perhaps for takeout, but even then the commercials become immediately unbearable if I'm there too long).

I don't go into bars, so I have no problem with it there.

Re:purpose?

[BradMajors]

In an airport I was in, the volume of the television was automatically controlled to be greater than ambient noise. Whenever an airline announcer tried to make a public announcement the television volume would increase so that it is louder than the announcement. The airline announcer tried to increase his volume in order to be heard and the television increased its volume even more.

Re:purpose?

[LunaticTippy]

I like bars when I am in a place where I don't know anyone. I also like bars for meeting up with friends, but we usually do something else once everyone is there.

Re:purpose?

[hal2814]

"Someone else's airport? Hahaha! Most airports are paid for and owned by local governments. They are mine."

No, they're not. Just because you contribute through taxation to a public venue, that does not meant said public venue is your own personal property. There is management in place to deal with the day-to-day runnings of the airports (sometimes public and sometimes private). You can annoy them if you like but they still have the leverage to eject you from the premises. I don't think they can charge you with anything for turning off TVs but neither can a private business owner.

Re:purpose?

[Joe Snipe]

In someone else's bar or airport? No, you don't.

Same argument I made about banning smoking.

Re:purpose?

[Mr. Underbridge]

What about the assholes who think TV is for everyone, and need to force their choice upon others?

You mean the assholes who break into your home, install a TV, tie you up, and force you to watch it? Because that's pretty much the only valid example I can think of.

If you mean proprietors who have TVs on in their establishments - no one's forcing you to be there. Leave or quitcherbitchin.

Re:purpose?

[reidconti]

"go to any bar and I will almost guarantee that the sound is way too loud and NO ONE is watching/listening."

I'm not a big bar patron but I do go to watch the occasional sporting event. I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the bar is watching and listening during that time.

Or they're managing to carry on their conversation despite the din, and using the audio on the tv to catch their attention. You can chat with your friends, and then when the announcers start yelling, you look up to see the big play. Perfect! Not everyone is so precious and sensitive to loud noises.

Re:purpose?

[Erus]

"Don't *I* have a right to some f*cking peace and quiet?"

I completely agree ...Now all they need is a (legal) "cellphone-begone". Some people have a cellphone literally glued to there ear; whether at a lecture, a religious ceremony or a theater, some people just have no respect for others.

Re:purpose?

[gblfxt]

bars are good for random conversations with potentially interesting people, rather than meming it up with friends you already know.

more often than not though, people at bars disappoint and have stupid conversations.

Re:purpose?

[geminidomino]

bars are good for random conversations with potentially interesting people, rather than meming it up with friends you already know.

more often than not though, people at bars disappoint and have stupid conversations.

Your second sentence is truer than your first. Statistically speaking, I don't WANT to know strangers.

Re:purpose?

[Your.Master]

The difference with smoking is it is potentially poisonous to others. I'm not just talking about second-hand smoke: asthma and other breathing conditions are much more immediate and are fairly prevalent (MUCH more common than conditions exacerbated by having a TV on).

Besides which, that's a matter of law, and not this. If the law becomes "no TV in list of places", so be it. But if smoking inside were legal and I came up and pulled the cigarette out of your mouth and threw it in the garbage, then, clearly, I would be a tremendous asshole.

Re:purpose?

[Joe Snipe]

But if smoking inside were legal and I came up and pulled the cigarette out of your mouth and threw it in the garbage, then, clearly, I would be a tremendous asshole.

That's basically what the nanny-state lobbyists did when they took away the private owners right to choose whether or not to run an establishment which allows smoking. My original point was that no one should have the power to take away someones right to choose, and it looks like that was your point as well.

Re:purpose?

[doom]

So, other than creating a public nuisance almost certain to result in getting your face punched, what EXACTLY is the point of this device?

The primary purpose of the Tv-b-gone is to turn off televisions, not to annoy people. If you want to annoy people, you just hang out on the internet and post stupid messages. But you know all about that, right?

Re:purpose?

[doom]

It's for sanctimonious, condescending assholes who think TV is beneath them, and who need to force their choice upon others.

Methinks some TV-swilling fools are a tad sensitive on this point.

Stupid. Just plain stupid.

[Anonymous Coward]

Let's see. A device with no purpose other than to be malicious. Just because someone has the technical skills to create and sell a device, doesn't mean they should. If you don't like TVs in public places, don't be an ass. Just say something politely and maybe if they get enough feedback, they'll start shutting them off...or better yet, stop going.

There are reasons why there are TVs in public places. Some people value them. Just because you don't, doesn't give you the right to start powering them down.

Re:Stupid. Just plain stupid.

[Killjoy_NL]

Land of the free, right?

Re:Stupid. Just plain stupid.

[LWATCDR]

Exactly.
During Hurricane season a lot of places will have the Weather Channel on if their is a storm that could threaten our area.
Or if their is breaking news.
I am not too fond of sports but too each their own.

This device while amusing does seem to be a violation of other peoples rights.

Re:Stupid. Just plain stupid.

[arstchnca]

Malicious?

It turns off TVs, not the people watching them. 'S why it's called "TV B Gone." I thought it was a cool idea.

Then, you used words like malicious and stupid. Completely changed my mind. I can't believe that someone would have the nerve to turn off someone else's TV I mean gosh, don't people respect property.

Re:I would love to take this to a sports bar.

[0100010001010011]

Someone did this during the World Cup (Video). He's lucky he didn't get caught and lynched.

What is there to patent here?

[DrXym]

TV remotes have been around for a long time, as have programmable remotes, as have remotes that cycle through different settings automatically, as have keychain remotes. In fact I own a keychain remote that cost me a massive one pound. I take it on holidays just in case the hotel remote is busted.

Maybe TV-B_Gone is not patented for its TV remote abilities, but as a fight provocation device. I can see some novelty in a device which increases the chances of the user being punched in the face.

Re:What is there to patent here?

[jchawk]

So if I am understanding this new "face punching device" it's a little black key fob thingy that I carry around and when I press the button people punch each other in the face?

Re:What is there to patent here?

[halcyon1234]

The keychain remote is quite handy. Though what I'd love to have is a device that shuts off those damned annoying yapping advertisements they're putting in gas pumps. It's basically a PC hooked up to a 15" monitor, and speakers turned up bloody loud shouting about car insurance and diet pills. And to make matters worse (though maybe it was coincidence) a couple of the stations turned down the pressure on the pumps, so it took over 5 minutes to half-fill the tank of a Honda Civic. 5 minutes of non stop commercials.

I have made it a point to avoid any chain that utilizes these devices, and to let the parent company know. I doubt my $20 a week means anything to them, since they're probably getting way more than that from the product whores who pay for those ads.

However, on the days when the machines fail-- well, those are the sweetest BSOD you'll ever see.

Re:What is there to patent here?

[Vegeta99]

Do like I did, make every fill-up the time to check your oil, tire pressure, overflow tank, and washer fluid. You're right at the gas station if you're low, and at least you're not just standing watching your money fly away.

Re:What is there to patent here?

[residieu]

Around here, they've removed the tabs that let you start the gas going and walk away. So, unless you go for full service, you're stuck standing by your gas tank, squeezing the lever on the nozel. There's no way to check anything, unless you've got a buddy with you.

TVs?

[BigBadBus]

Televisions or Transvestites?

Reason it went open source...

[abigsmurf]

Publicity!

People won't be bothered to make one themselves but will be interested in it after reading how he's been so generous releasing his design that they buy premade ones from him.

I'm guessing all it is, is LEDs hooked up to a chip with all the common codes for power buttons and it just cycles through them when the button is pressed. Shouldn't imagine it's something that would have a patent granted.

Television...

[Muckluck]

The cause of and solution to all of lifes big problems. Oh, no, wait... That should be alcohol. Won't somebody please think of the children?!

Re:Television...

[Patchw0rk F0g]

That should be alcohol. Won't somebody please think of the children?!

Dude, that's how we got most of the children in the first place...

Great

[GauteL]

I'm just waiting for a time I'm watching a football match in a pub and some arsehole switches off the TVs because he wants to drink 'in peace'.

Not the TV's so much as the music being too loud.

[VShael]

Okay, yes, I know, I used to own the t-shirt too. ("If it's too loud, then you're too old.")

But goddamn it, when I'm in a bar chatting with friends, everywhere around is also buzzing with laughs and good times, why does the barman decide to pump his crappy music up to 110 decibels?

Because people don't drink as much if they're talking. It's to increase his bottom dollar, not to make your night out better.

I would love to be able to remotely reduce the volume or kill the music all together. Somehow, I doubt there'd be a massive outcry from people who were talking to their friends and can now hear them without shouting.

Best Buy Adventure

[Lord Apathy]

I picked one of these up a few months ago and used to carry it every where I went. Here is some fun you can have with the bitch.

I was in the local best buy near the dvds across from the Wall of TV's and waited for the sales droid to turn every one of them on. I pulled this little toy out, pointed it, and all the tv magically went off. The look on the sales monkey's face was worth the price of admission. The real joy is seeing how many times the dumb ass will turn them back on before he catches on. For me it was twice. The local walmart never did catch on.

Works good in walmart and circuit city too.

Re:Best Buy Adventure

[saintm]

Well done, a pat on the back for you.

I'm glad you found such merriment in making someone else's day that much shitter.

Go you.

Re:Best Buy Adventure

[effigiate]

I just wonder how you'd feel if someone came in to your job and messed with you. I don't know what you do, but lets just assume that you're a programmer. Would you like it if at 8:30am someone came in and shut off your monitor over and over?

Re:Best Buy Adventure

[Kenshin]

If I were the clerk, I would have clued in right away and immediately started looking for the dorky looking guy with "cat who ate the bird" look on his face rapidly retreating from the area. Then I would have called-in security, and let them give him a hard time.

Re:Best Buy Adventure

[kitsunewarlock]

[/rolls down the windows frantically]

Re:Best Buy Adventure

[geminidomino]

even better... set up a crontab to do an svn revert every minute.

Positive Motives

[Borongo]

I grew up with Mitch Altman,
and monetary compensation is far from his mind.
Mr. Altman prefers to spend his time on art and
is very activist in causes he believes in, and works
just enough to get by not to get rich. He does believe
that TV is something that sucks up time from other persuits
in life. My personal (and I can't speak for Mitch)
take is that tv-b-gone is supposed to be an equalizer,
yes it annoys other people but then your annoyed by TV.
He also teaches classes so ordinary folks learn to build
electronics.

If you want to see what he is up to Mitch does have a Facebook
account.

Re:Positive Motives

[st0rmshad0w]

My personal (and I can't speak for Mitch)
take is that tv-b-gone is supposed to be an equalizer,
yes it annoys other people but then your annoyed by TV.

I'm more annoyed that people constantly spout stupidity just about 24/7 but I have no right to forcibly shut them up.

Its NOT your TV. Its NOT your PROPERTY. Leave if you don't like it. Or maybe here's a thought, ASK the propriator if they'll turn it off, down, etc.

Re:Positive Motives

[ciderVisor]

Mr. Altman prefers to spend his time on art

"I'm not an elitist," Altman said. "It's just that I'd much rather sculpt or write in my journal or read Proust than sit there passively staring at some phosphorescent screen."

"If I need a fix of passive audio-visual stimulation, I'll go to catch a Bergman or Truffaut film down at the university," Altman said. "I certainly wouldn't waste my time watching the so-called Learning Channel or, God forbid, any of the mind sewage the major networks pump out."

Continued Altman: "People don't realize just how much time their TV-watching habit-or, shall I say, addiction-eats up. Four hours of television a day, over the course of a month, adds up to 120 hours. That's five entire days! Why not spend that time living your own life, instead of watching fictional people live theirs? I can't begin to tell you how happy I am not to own a television."

Re:Positive Motives

[Red Flayer]

If you want to see what he is up to Mitch does have a Facebook account.

So the message is... turn the TV off and go to Facebook instead?

No thanks. I'd rather have my eyelids stapled open and be forced to watch 72 hours of "The View" without a break than go to Facebook.

But that's just me. YMMV.

Re:Positive Motives

[geminidomino]

sed'ed Copypasta

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28694

Re:Not the TV's so much as the music being too lou

[hal2814]

"But goddamn it, when I'm in a bar chatting with friends, everywhere around is also buzzing with laughs and good times, why does the barman decide to pump his crappy music up to 110 decibels?"

Because you're in the wrong bar. Bars do exist that provide a good atmosphere for conversation. I always make it a point to seek those bars out. In the US, most places that claim to be an English pub have reasonable volume levels but that's far from universal. I also look for bars that focus on drinks like wine or cocktails. I'm a beer drinker myself but the atmosphere is usually better in those places and they do usually have some sort of decent beer handy.

A finger

[Anonymous Coward]

I must admit that I just use my finger to turn the TV off at the off switch. If there's no-one watching it, then no-one complains that it's off. If someone is, I'll either not turn it off or they'll say something when I do and I turn it back on and apologise.

Having stopped watching tv for a while

[fredrated]

what I find is that they are mesmerizing. When I walk into a room with a tv on I feel the pull to look at it, as well as notice that everyone is looking at the tv like it had hyptonized them. It is much like a drug. Turning the tv off is more about breaking it's inevitable grasp on everyone's attention for at least a short time, so people look up and look around once in a while. It's not like you break the tv, it can be turned back on, and probably will be in short order.

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[leomekenkamp]

It is your brain: it is wired to find anything moving interesting and therefor your eyes feel 'drawn' to it. I always ask for a television to be turned off when I want to engage in a proper conversation, else it would be too distracting. A cat playing with something has the same distracting effect on me.

This focus-on-movement could be evolutionary be explained because a) you might eat what moves; b) it might eat you; c) it might be an interesting sex partner (in which case you might eat it and/or it might eat you).

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[raddan]

It's funny—I found that it was the other way around. I spent 6 months hiking, with essentially no contact with television of any kind during that time, and when I came home, some friends invited me to see a movie. I think it was one of the Matrix movies. Anyway, I was absolutely glued to the screen. My friends left the theatre complaining about how the movie sucked, but for me—I was completely immersed.

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[reidconti]

what I find is that they are mesmerizing. When I walk into a room with a tv on I feel the pull to look at it, as well as notice that everyone is looking at the tv like it had hyptonized them. It is much like a drug. Turning the tv off is more about breaking it's inevitable grasp on everyone's attention for at least a short time, so people look up and look around once in a while. It's not like you break the tv, it can be turned back on, and probably will be in short order.

I love slashdotters and their hypochondria.

When I want to watch TV, I watch it. When I don't want to, I don't. Life is hard.

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[dave420]

So what would you achieve? The employee having to get up and turn a TV back on? Brilliant! :)

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[Abstrackt]

So what would you achieve? The employee having to get up and turn a TV back on? Brilliant! :)

That's genius! You've saved the American economy by creating new jobs!

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[kannibal_klown]

I'm the other way around. When I walk into a room with a TV playing I ignore it to the point that I don't even know it's there. It takes a major "word" to play before I notice: (crash, death, fire, etc). Pretty much anything that sounds dangerous or something I should know about immediately.

There are TVs on in the room where I eat lunch every day, and the only times I ever paid any attention was during an election OR when the psycho Astronaut was arrested for trying to kidnap someone. I mean, hearing the words Astronaut, kidnapping, crazy, and diapers in one sentence kind of grabs the attention.

And this is coming from a guy that watches way too much TV when he's home at night. It's not hard to ignore it unless there's something that interests you on.

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[doom]

It's not hard to ignore it unless there's something that interests you on.

That's not my experience in the least, and doesn't at all match my observation of other people's behavior. Ever here the phrase "TVs kill parties"? The reason is the television trance phenomena.

And this is coming from a guy that watches way too much TV when he's home at night.

If you're a "always have the TV on" kind of person, of course you feel like you can ignore it when you need to, but I suspect your own perceptions on this -- much in the same way that drunks and cellphone users don't realize that their driving is impaired, the tv addict doesn't get that they'll have an easier time doing their homework with the box off.

Television screens in public places are a plague that are only going to get worse -- the TV-B-Gone was only a temporary solution, the manufactures responded quickly with ad-blasters that can't be shut-off so easily.

Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while

[kannibal_klown]

And this is coming from a guy that watches way too much TV when he's home at night.

If you're a "always have the TV on" kind of person, of course you feel like you can ignore it when you need to, but I suspect your own perceptions on this -- much in the same way that drunks and cellphone users don't realize that their driving is impaired

While I see what you're saying, it's not so much the case with me.

I don't enjoy watching the news and the only time I'll watch sports is with my dad. In my experience 99% of the time a TV is on in a public place it's tuned to either news or sports, at which case I just ignore it because it doesn't interest me.

But as I said, if all of a sudden I hear a stray word coming from the screen that signifies danger (or something very strange) it might grab my attention for a second. And in the case of the psycho astronaut I was glued for much of my lunch.

Now if one of the Prime Time shows that I watch is on somewhere (Heroes, Chuck, Eli Stone, etc) then it would take some effort on my part to ignore the screen.

In Soviet Russia...

[the MaD HuNGaRIaN]

...the TV eliminates you!!!

Re:In Soviet Russia...

[etwills]

Surely "In Soviet Russia... TV turns you off".

(...well, except it's exactly the same here!!!)

48 Hours [In intensive care]

[westlake]

The geek walks up to the bar...

and discovers that he is not Eddie Murphy:

Well the men they took to fightin
And when they pulled him from the floor
This geek he looked like a jigsaw puzzle
With a couple of pieces gone

[with apologies to Jim Croce]

TV remote watch

[hansamurai]

In high school my friend had a watch that he could program to control TVs (had to know the code though, etc.) and he would use it during class to turn on the TV, fast forward videos, generally be a jerk to these poor 70 year old teachers. He did get caught though and all the teachers stacked a ton of punishment on him. It was really hilarious when he would use it during class and even better after he got caught.

patent vs opensource

[EverythingDies]

How would making your product open-source versus going the traditional patent route increase your sales? I understand that it helps to improve the product, but wouldn't this also allow other companies to sell the improved product as well?

Re:patent vs opensource

[Rob T Firefly]

How would making your product open-source versus going the traditional patent route increase your sales? I understand that it helps to improve the product, but wouldn't this also allow other companies to sell the improved product as well?

A) He's not looking to increase sales. As has been noted here and elsewhere, Mitch doesn't do what he does to get rich. He works to support his activism pursuits, of which making people question their dependence on television is one.
2) He's using Creative Commons, which offers distinct licenses for free non-commercial use, hacking, and improvement vs. commercial use. I imagine he'll go that route in order to keep things free yet avoid commercial knockoffs.

Re:Not the TV's so much as the music being too lou

[timholman]

But goddamn it, when I'm in a bar chatting with friends, everywhere around is also buzzing with laughs and good times, why does the barman decide to pump his crappy music up to 110 decibels?

Any decent bar or restaurant (i.e. one that doesn't cater strictly to college students or rabid sports fans) uses closed captioning on its TVs and doesn't even attempt to turn up the volume. Every place I frequent is a place where everyone can have a conversation without yelling over the TV.

If you find that your desire for conversation now exceeds your desire for loud pounding music or blaring sports programs, then congratulations - you've joined the adult world. Time to move on from the old college hangouts and find a new place to drink beer.

Re:I would love to take this to a sports bar.

[v1]

and I hope he got smarter than the first shots of him testing it, craning his arm up in the air and pointing in a window. Couldn't be much more obvious about what he was doing.

Looks like he was just using a universal remote and having to program it for each TV.

What a bullshit device

[Toll_Free]

So, basically, asshole number one decides he doesn't want the TV in a public place, and turns on his jamming device.

What a great way to enforce your want and will upon others.

Also, what a great way to get fined. Jamming devices are illegal in this country.

I HATE people that come up with this shit.. Although maybe if he did just a channel 5 one, I'd be OK with that... Just something to jam the channels that show Maury, Montel and Jerry Springer. :)

But seriously, this is a device causing other people to not be able to watch what they want?

--Toll_Free

Re:What a bullshit device

[ceoyoyo]

Not arguing with your basic point, but it's not a jamming device. It's sort of a universal remote control with one button. They're not illegal (yet). Also, I believe RADIO jamming is illegal. An IR jammer is basically a randomly flashing light, which are not illegal.

Hacker ethos.

[djdavetrouble]

Let's see. A device with no purpose other than to be malicious.

It just turns off a tv, it doesn't break it.
I think that the bgone appeals to the mischevious part of our nature. Certainly shutting
down a video wall during someone's presentation IS malicious (I remember
a youtube of someone doing this not too long ago), but there are plenty
of instances that you could use this device that would not be.

OTOH this is a great example of hacker thinking, doing things with
a technology that were not intended.

To be realistic, often these things wind up in the hands of obnoxious assholes,
which is half of all males between 12 and 30.

Re:Hacker ethos.

[RoboRay]

It just turns off a tv, it doesn't break it.

So you wouldn't have a problem with me letting the air out of your car tires. I'm not doing any physical damage, so there's nothing malicious about my actions. Good to know!

Re:Hacker ethos.

[djdavetrouble]

As long as I can press a button and have you instantly put the air back in, no.

Re:Not the TV's so much as the music being too lou

[Otto]

You're in somebody else's place. If you don't like how that place is, you can get up and LEAVE.

Enforcing your will on other people by turning off or down the TV is worse than what anybody else in that entire bar is doing, you self-righteous prick. Get off your ass and make an adult decision to go to a bar that caters to you and your kind instead.

The real reason

[HEbGb]

.. because it's just a goofy novelty, with a minuscule market, and isn't worth the $10-$20k it costs to patent the stupid thing?

He needs to get over himself.

Re:The real reason

[schnikies79]

Yes I do and people outside of slashdot have actually heard of it.

Re:The real reason

[HEbGb]

A goofy novelty *with minuscule market potential*. How many could he sell, total? A few dozen? Please.

Re:The real reason

[Eil]

.. because it's just a goofy novelty, with a minuscule market, and isn't worth the $10-$20k it costs to patent the stupid thing?

He needs to get over himself.

He did patent it. My 'early model' TV-B-Gone says Patent Pending on it. And then later decided it was better to have everything out in the open since everyone was hacking it anyway.

RTFA there, buddy.

Oblig: How is this news?

[mk2mark]

People have been sharing plans for electronic toys like this for years. How does it become news when some guy slaps an "open source" moniker on it?

Re:Oblig: How is this news?

[ceoyoyo]

Because "open source" is so much more trendy than the much older "DIY" or "homebrew." After all, "open source" comes complete with a prophet and flocks of adherents while "homebrew" is just a bunch of old guys with funny radio masts in their yards and "DIY" is a bunch of guys who smell like sawdust.

Re:I would love to take this to a sports bar.

[Kenshin]

If they're that easily distracted by a TV, then they have bigger problems than a TV in a restaurant.

or cellphone-B-Gone

[peter303]

There are cell jammers available online, but the corporate-owned FCC considers them illegal in the US. I nearly lost it when a bitch orally answered a message in the middle of a Swan Lake performance last week.

Re:or cellphone-B-Gone

[KGIII]

I was at a FUNERAL where the guy had his cell phone's volume turned up AND answered it while the priest was talking.

Re:or cellphone-B-Gone

[MooUK]

Ah, you'll be wanting the twat-B-Gone. Otherwise known as a spiked mace.

Re:or cellphone-B-Gone

[CoderJoe]

Whatever your feelings on jerks using cellphones at inappropriate times, cellphone jamming is illegal, as you are transmitting intentional interference on licensed frequencies you do not have a license to use. The same is essentially true for all licensed portions of the spectrum. And since the cell jammers have no purpose other than transmitting jamming signals on licensed frequencies, the devices are also essentially illegal.

I remember Spangles

[ciderVisor]

and Opal Fruits and Marathons.

TV addiction is biological

[ChrisA90278]

TV is actually an adition like alcohol. Try taking away the bottle from an alcoholic watch his reaction. irst he becomes combative "who the hell, give my that back". Hell do anything to get more. Same happens with TV. Try turning it off and the TV watchers first reaxtive is to be combative, then they try to turn the TV back on. TV adicts will pay anything, even $100+ a month just to watch

I figure there must be some built-in "feature" in the huiman brain that makes us like TV. It is the same with food, there is a built-in "feature" that makes us over eat. A million years of evolution made us so that we like to store ecces calories as fat so we can survive periods of sparce food. Something like this must be the cause of TV addiction, there must be some biological reason why we prefer a zombie-like state of stupidity. Perhaps it is as simple as calories burning, switch the brain off and we burn less. The human brain uses a lot of energy. Perhaps the ability to become a zombie helped our ancestors to survive.

When something is so universal and appeals to all cultures I always suspect a biological root cause.
There must be a biological reason we like TV.

Re:TV addiction is biological

[reidconti]

TV is actually an adition like alcohol. Try taking away the bottle from an alcoholic watch his reaction. irst he becomes combative "who the hell, give my that back". Hell do anything to get more. Same happens with TV. Try turning it off and the TV watchers first reaxtive is to be combative, then they try to turn the TV back on. TV adicts will pay anything, even $100+ a month just to watch

What the fuck is wrong with you? Is this a troll? Or is your sarcasm implementation device just broken?

If you take *anything* away from me I'll get pissed at you for TAKING MY SHIT. I pay for TV because I value the programming I get at slightly more than the amount I spend on it. Same for anything else.

Re:TV addiction is biological

[Fantastic Lad]

Yes, yes. . . And you can quit any time you want, right?

-FL

So he could get on Slashdot?

[sega01]

Now his product can be shown to the evil geeks of Slashdot who might want such a thing.

In related news ...

[PPH]

He does believe that TV is something that sucks up time from other persuits in life.

...Mitch Altman announces the development of a "Slashdot-B-Gone" key fob.

No patent? Could he be out sold?

[sherriw]

I'm curious how avoiding patents, and open sourcing his product would protect this guy from a big company, that say... has a good partnership with Best Buy, making a copy of this product and due to it's bigger marketing power and retailer deal, taking all the potential profits away from the guy? Would his open source license protect against this? I'm not being rhetorical- I really don't know.

Re:No patent? Could he be out sold?

[Tacvek]

The answer is yes. There is nothing preventing that, and indeed, the TV-B-Gone is not the only such device on the market. Besides, most universal remotes can do the same basic thing, although they are larger, and more noticeable, and require more button presses to do it.

Re:No patent? Could he be out sold?

[stephanruby]

You're assuming that if he could get into a partnership agreement with Best Buy, that he would be able to get all the same profits a large imitator could get. I say that's unlikely, big retailers are notorious for squeezing the profit margins out of their suppliers. And as an individual entrepreneur, it's very unlikely that he would have the same negotiating power that a larger supplier would get.

And after all is said and done, a small supplier selling stuff to Best Buy might very well lose lots of money on the deal. It's often the supplier who has to pay for shelf space, it's often the supplier who has to pay for the advertising/marketing/display cost, and it's often the supplier who has to eat the cost for distributing and returning opened/unsold merchandise -- even if there was nothing wrong with it -- in the first place.

If you're an individual entrepreneur, selling through Best Buy may be good for your ego and it may be good to brag to your family about (after all, it might be the only time your family acknowledges that you might not be a bum), but the real bulk of your profits will still be coming from your online/catalog sales and the smaller speciality shops. And through those other channels, it's very likely that your trademarked name, your domain name, your higher profit margin, and the fact that you were the first to market/first on the news/first in the google index/first in people's mind, that might give you that competitive edge you need.

Re:Not the TV's so much as the music being too lou

[ceoyoyo]

Perhaps you'd prefer a nice lounge. Perhaps with a piano? Don't forget to wear a polyester leisure suit!

Re:or cellphone-B-Gone That's why Operas and

[davidsyes]

Funerals should be conducted in Faraday cages or hermetically-sealed steel/cadmium/zinc-lead mesh rooms.

Re:A Necessary Addition ... Well if you want to sh

[davidsyes]

shut them down... then call ASCAP, RIAA and those companies (damn, can't remember their name, hehhe) that goes around in trucks and visits places that didn't payola-umm, pay up to "perform" or duplicate in public the performance...

Then, OTOH some of those places might lose customers, and have to fire employees, and deprive cities of "their projected tax-based revenues"...

One word: Blockbuster

[unassimilatible]

Every time I go into Blockbuster (to return my via-mail DVDs or redeem an in-store coupon), they are blaring the TVs with some gawdawful movie trailer, usually for a movie that would be playing on a 24/7 loop in hell. Now, I am a paying customer ($19.99/mo), so yes, I should dictate what my ears are bombarded with. And I have never met anyone who likes those blaring trailers either.

There seems to be an increasing roar in the public space that is annoying the crap out of me. Advertisements via overhead page in supermarkets, little spam LCD monitors at gas pumps and checkout lines, even urinals are getting into the act. Personally, I think such guerrilla tactics are called for until the ad industry gets the clue that pestering your customers to death does more harm than good.

I'm actually going to get one of these devices to try at Blockbuster for when I have the misfortune of actually walking into one the stores.

Ironic that you think turning off a telescreen is being a dictator. I'm not sure who would be more vindicated, Orwell or Huxley.

Re:Bullshit!

[ptorrone]

hi anon - it's me, phil torrone from MAKE magazine - you can look at my /. profile, google or the make site.

as far as the kit goes, the parents that talk to me say that their kids build these kits, get excited about electronics and turn off their tvs in their homes as well as at their friend's houses.

Re:Bullshit!

[ptorrone]

++ agree.

Atlanta Airport

[Tokolosh]

I travel regularly through Hart's Field. There is NO place to escape the relentless CNN pumped through thousands of large screens. You cannot listen to an Ipod, you cannot talk on a cellphone without shouting, you cannot read, you cannot contemplate. The only thing you can do, is watch the goddamn CNN! It leaves me grouchy, tired and hating the airlines.

The airport is a communal space. Your bar, your choice - don't expect to see me there.

(Excuse the rant)

Re:Atlanta Airport

[deft]

wow, i just went through that airport listening to an airport, and didnt notice CNN. I think i made a call when i landed, and before I left too. Used a laptop too.

I must be like a ninja or something. true ultimate power!

Uh. . , you have that backwards.

[Fantastic Lad]

The base setting for a public space is one of silence, which is then filled with various signals. A TV is an advertising vehicle, and I would argue that the true asshole in this equation is the person who has unilaterally decided to infringe upon everybody's attention with his/her message without permission.

If you believe that being hammered at by a TV is the normal state in your environment and that you are somehow harmed when that signal is shut off, then you are Borg, dude.

-FL

I'd use one.

[Fantastic Lad]

I'm more annoyed that people constantly spout stupidity just about 24/7 but I have no right to forcibly shut them up.

Conceited. It's good that we don't have that right, because believe me, to somebody else you are one of those spouting stupidity.

Its NOT your TV. Its NOT your PROPERTY. Leave if you don't like it. Or maybe here's a thought, ASK the propriator if they'll turn it off, down, etc.

Settle down. It's just a tool to be applied when appropriate. If you're in a sports bar, you'd be very rude to use such a device. If you're in an airport which is blasting everybody with an endless CNN loop nobody requested, especially when you're trying to sleep during a 10-hour layover due to a flight delay and nobody on the floor has the ability to modify the background noise, (lived through that one a couple of times), then hell yes, I'd love to have an off-switch for the overhead TV. I'd probably ask the people around me first if they minded, and if you happened to be there, I bet you'd be obliging unless you really are as much of a jerk as you sound here. (Luckily most people are not. They just like to blow off steam on-line.)

In any case, I can't imagine that anybody actually ever uses these devices in a practical manner; it'd be a lot of trouble to carry one around all the time.

-FL

In summary,

[cj1127]

don't fuck with stuff you don't own, and don't go to bars you don't like. Is this really so difficult?

In other news...

[hummassa]

7,329 people died today while browsing the Internet. Sources inside the Interpol state that all of them were reading a tech news site called "slash-dot", and that their brains exploded without apparent reason.

Nice theory, but completely wrong

[pestie]

I've got quite a bit of experience using a TV-B-Gone in Wal-Mart stores, so let me fill you in on some details.

First, much to my disappointment, the TV-B-Gone doesn't work on whatever model of TV they have hanging from the ceiling blaring ads all day long. I've tried a bunch of times in different stores, both with the stock TV-B-Gone and with one of Ladyada's kits, using hacked firmware with more manufacturers' codes in it. No luck. I've also tried looking for a make/model on the TV's themselves, but have never managed to find one. The front of the TV's are covered with a cardboard or plastic cover, and the backs are next to impossible to see from the floor.

When you walk into many Wal-Mart stores, there'll be a small monitor hanging from the ceiling showing a feed from one of the security cameras. At least in this case, it turns out the cameras can't see the IR from the TV-B-Gone. The cameras are probably the variety that come with IR filters. Why they'd choose such models, I have no idea. I also have no idea whether any of the other cameras in the store see the IR or not, but the ones feeding the displays near the doors definitely don't.

Nobody from security has ever bothered me about using my TV-B-Gone. This isn't the Pentagon, it's freakin' Wal-Mart. The security people are probably making $7 an hour and really don't give a rat's ass if some jackass like me with a high-tech toy is walking around turning off TV's, especially considering I'm also a paying customer. I may be bored enough to turn off TV's for fun, but I'm not bored enough to actually drive to Wal-Mart just for that purpose.

Yes, it's fun to turn off the big-screen TV's while Bubba and his rode-hard-and-put-up-wet girlfriend are gawking at them, trying to figure out which one will fit through the door of their double-wide. But that's nowhere near as much fun as turning off the TV's in the video game section when Bubba's pudgy little 10-year-old son is in the middle of playing some Xbox game.

Fine by me!

[pestie]

That's fine by me! I don't even come in to work until 11:00am or so.

defense of the TV-B-Gone

[doom]

Get off your high horse and accept that some people relax using other methods than yours. The ability to enjoy the occasional sitcom or sports event is a positive sign of good mental adjustment.

Look, the weird think about television etiquette is that it's always regarded as acceptable to turn the things on, but turning it off requires a complicated process of polling every person present to find out if anyone is "really watching it". If you have a TV-B-Gone you can flip off the televisions, and if anyone cares, they'll have them turned back on, but it changes the bias in the situation.

There are many people running bars and restaurants who seem to feel that having the television on is an essential part of providing a homey atmosphere or something, and they're completely oblivious to the anti-social aspects of the television-trance phenomena. The TV-B-Gone lets you fix this problem without engaging in a philosophical debate with a low-level employee shuffling around the dining room.

I was out at a gathering in a bar not too long ago with dozens of people regarded me as a hero for getting rid of some (not all) of the fahrenheit-451-scale screens we were surrounded by. Hypothetically, I could've gotten to this point by harassing some extremely busy bartenders for ten minutes, but somehow I think the TV-B-Gone was the less annoying option.