Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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

Posted by kdawson on from the patents-b-gone dept.

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."

59 of 340 comments (clear)

  1. I for one by Mipoti+Gusundar · · Score: 2, Funny

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

    --
    Will code for new sig.
    1. Re:I for one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I am officially open sourcing my firstpost-B-gone

  2. A Necessary Addition by hyades1 · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
    1. Re:A Necessary Addition by david+duncan+scott · · Score: 5, Insightful
      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.

      --

      This next song is very sad. Please clap along. -- Robin Zander

    2. Re:A Necessary Addition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

    3. Re:A Necessary Addition by sleeponthemic · · Score: 3, Funny

      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).

      --
      I record my sleeptalking
    4. Re:A Necessary Addition by Timmmm · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

    5. Re:A Necessary Addition by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 5, Funny

      The Deaf.

      You can go now.

    6. Re:A Necessary Addition by Meest · · Score: 5, Interesting

      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...

    7. Re:A Necessary Addition by cide1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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.

      --
      -- the computer doesn't want any beer, no matter how much you think it does. NEVER, EVER feed your computer beer.
    8. Re:A Necessary Addition by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 4, Funny

      UGH! Coffee not working yet.

      That should have been THE BLIND!

      I'll go now...

    9. Re:A Necessary Addition by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Insightful

      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.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    10. Re:A Necessary Addition by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 2, Funny

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

    11. Re:A Necessary Addition by turtledawn · · Score: 5, Interesting

      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.

      --
      Uh, "if it looks roughly mouse-shaped according to my infra-red sensitive pit, eat it"? --Chris Burke 09-08-10
    12. Re:A Necessary Addition by sukotto · · Score: 5, Funny

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

      --
      Come play free flash games on Kongregate!
    13. Re:A Necessary Addition by v1 · · Score: 4, Informative

      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.

      --
      I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    14. Re:A Necessary Addition by v1 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      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?

      --
      I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    15. Re:A Necessary Addition by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 4, Funny

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

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

    16. Re:A Necessary Addition by Strawser · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.

      --
      The louder he talked of his honour, the faster we counted our spoons. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
    17. Re:A Necessary Addition by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

    18. Re:A Necessary Addition by Toll_Free · · Score: 4, Insightful

      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

    19. Re:A Necessary Addition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      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.

    20. Re:A Necessary Addition by machine321 · · Score: 2, Funny

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

    21. Re:A Necessary Addition by Thiez · · Score: 3, Interesting

      > 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?

    22. Re:A Necessary Addition by KGIII · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    23. Re:A Necessary Addition by crazybilly · · Score: 2, Insightful
      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.

    24. Re:A Necessary Addition by KGIII · · Score: 2, Interesting

      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.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    25. Re:A Necessary Addition by boombaard · · Score: 2, Insightful

      > 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.

    26. Re:A Necessary Addition by dave562 · · Score: 2, Informative

      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.

    27. Re:A Necessary Addition by Doggabone · · Score: 2, Funny

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

      Probably due to the good animal's gender confusion!

  3. So glad this was posted by halcyon1234 · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

    --
    UTF-8: There and Back Again
  4. Brilliant! by camperdave · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    1. Re:Brilliant! by sleeponthemic · · Score: 5, Informative

      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 :)

      --
      I record my sleeptalking
    2. Re:Brilliant! by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Interesting

      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.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:Brilliant! by Just+Some+Guy · · Score: 2, Insightful

      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.

      --
      Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
  5. Stupid. Just plain stupid. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  6. Re:I would love to take this to a sports bar. by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 5, Funny

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

  7. Re:purpose? by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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. ;)

  8. Re:purpose? by ptorrone · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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)

  9. What is there to patent here? by DrXym · · Score: 2, Insightful
    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.

  10. Television... by Muckluck · · Score: 3, Funny

    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?!

    --


    --I like turtles...
  11. Not the TV's so much as the music being too loud. by VShael · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

  12. Re:purpose? by VShael · · Score: 5, Funny

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

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

  13. Re:purpose? by hal2814 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "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.

  14. Re:Not the TV's so much as the music being too lou by hal2814 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "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.

  15. Having stopped watching tv for a while by fredrated · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.

    1. Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while by leomekenkamp · · Score: 2, Funny

      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).

      --
      Wenn ist das Nunstueck git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput.
    2. Re:Having stopped watching tv for a while by Abstrackt · · Score: 2, Funny

      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!

      --
      They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
  16. Re:Positive Motives by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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.

  17. Re:purpose? by st0rmshad0w · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    Luddite.

  18. Re:purpose? by geminidomino · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  19. Re:purpose? by poot_rootbeer · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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.

  20. The real reason by HEbGb · · Score: 3, Insightful

    .. 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.

  21. Oblig: How is this news? by mk2mark · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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?

  22. Re:purpose? by geminidomino · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  23. No patent? Could he be out sold? by sherriw · · Score: 2, Interesting

    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.

  24. Re:TV addiction is biological by reidconti · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

  25. Re:or cellphone-B-Gone by MooUK · · Score: 2, Funny

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

  26. In other news... by hummassa · · Score: 2, Funny

    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.

    --
    It's better to be the foot on the boot than the face on the pavement. ~~ tkx Kadin2048