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Portables Without Cameras?

Posted by Soulskill on from the why-does-my-toothbrush-have-a-camera dept.

crankyspice writes "I work routinely in environments where a camera cannot physically be present (e.g., federal court), which really limits what I can carry with me. For instance, I'm a Mac guy, but there's no way to order a MacBook without a built-in webcam (which I've never used on the machines I've owned that have had one). Ditto the iPhone. I'm left with a BlackBerry 8830 and the bottom rung of the [W|L]Intel portables. Even then, when I ordered a Dell Mini 9, I had to wait more than a month because I specified no webcam when I placed the order. This is a relatively common (government, law, sensitive corporate environments) requirement; what have other Slashdotters done? Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?"

15 of 442 comments (clear)

  1. Step back a bit... by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?

    Simple, non-technical solution: just hire $10/hour security guards!

    --
    Trolling is a art,
    1. Re:Step back a bit... by Ruede · · Score: 5, Insightful

      what the 20$/hour techy doesnt get is that the 12$/hour guard knows that a camera that is switched off, can easily be switched back on.

    2. Re:Step back a bit... by Forge · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Usually the problem isn't how dumb the guard is. Most guards just aren't permitted to think anyway.

      More than once I have asked "why do you have this rule or that" and gotten the response: "Because the boss must be on crack or something".

      As for the cameras issue. That is legit. Not only do courts sometimes deal with cases where identities must be protected (I.e. It's bad enough little Sandy has to testify against her Daddy for molesting her, but putting her picture on the net would make it a whole lot worse) but there are other "institutions" that have vested interest in being photograph free. I.e. Many titty Bars ban Cams to protect the day jobs and church membership of part time strippers as well as the Senate seat of tonight's #1 tipper.

      As for cam less devices. Nothing wrong with having a low end device. I.e. In a courtroom, You don't need a high frame rate or surround sound. Even my lowly old Dell Latitude D620 is overkill for legitimate courtroom usage.

      Phones are a bigger problem. It's getting real hard to find phones with Email, 3G and WiFi without a built in Camera.

      I'm shocked nobody has capitalized on this to release "Cam-less mods" for those Blackberrys where the cam can be hidden and crippled by changing the user removable back panel for one without the lens opening.

      --
      --= Isn't it surprising how badly I spell ?
    3. Re:Step back a bit... by jman11 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Morning, I'd like to introduce you to Mr Warranty.

      Oh, you two have already met and broken up.

      OK then forget I ever spoke.

    4. Re:Step back a bit... by elguap0 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      How dare they leave off those attacks from 1952 and 1954 from their list of terrorist attacks from 1961-2003! Conspiracy!!

  2. dude.. by joocemann · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The answer is simple. Break the camera device. It won't break your computer or portable. . it will break the camera.

    Make it so it is obvious when you point it out.

    1. Re:dude.. by (H)elix1 · · Score: 5, Informative

      A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...

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      +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
    2. Re:dude.. by compro01 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Reminds me of when I worked for the Saskatchewan government. Every piece of hardware has a "Property of GOS" sticker on it, with an item # and barcode. The various people (Crown prosecutors, etc.) who needed to disable the camera on their provided phone/blackberry/etc. would simply have that sticker over the camera lens.

      --
      upon the advice of my lawyer, i have no sig at this time
    3. Re:dude.. by InsertWittyNameHere · · Score: 5, Funny

      I always just cover it with my thumb when I open the lid to show them that there's no camera. It's foolproof!

  3. These places should do what others do by ggendel · · Score: 5, Informative

    Many high security establishments, both government and commercial, realize that they can't stop technology without serious concessions. What some do are to put a special tamper-proof tag over the camera. Then they just inspect the tag when you exit and, if tampered, confiscate the device until it can be validated.

  4. Get an OQO by clam666 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Get an OQO. Fits in a pocket, full windows xp/vista. Mobile broadband built right in. Extended batteries for hours of use.

    http://www.oqo.com/

    --
    I'm a satanic clam.
  5. This will get interesting by Sybert42 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There's someone who's implanting a camera to replace a glass eye. With the singularity and associated transhumanism, this will get more complicated.

  6. Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well by supernova_hq · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nope, you already posted.

    Don't worry, I'll do it for you!

  7. Re:military solution by paxswill · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can get Apple to remove the camera. I remember reading in a security document about disabling the camera. An option listed is to have it removed by an Apple service center (an Apple Store might do it, but unlikely), and they'll make a note of it in the Applecare database. You get a warranty, no camera, and access to secured areas.

  8. Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well by SectoidRandom · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't know what both you and the original question asker are talking about.

    I just went onto Dell's website and looked at the first range of laptops that I would ever consider for myself and NONE of the models have webcams? Why?

    Because I selected 'Enterprise / Corporate' on the first page and not 'Home - give-me-all-your-crap-that-only-the-children-would-use'. :)

    Come to think of it, I've only ever owned one laptop with a webcam, that that was back in the day (>5 years ago) when the only way to get a decent 3d card in a laptop was to go for the home models, since then none of my laptops have them simply because when I buy a laptop I want one designed to work, not look good, etc.

    See:
    Dell Examples

    HP Examples

    BTW, pretty much any business model laptop will include a model without webcam, for the exact reason raised by the original questioner.