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Where To Start With DIY Home Security?
secretrobotron writes "I'm a recent university graduate from a co-op system which has kept me on the move every other semester, so I've never really had a permanent place to live, and I've never had the opportunity (or the capital) to buy expensive things. Now that I'm working, those restrictions on my life are gone and I'm living in an apartment with things I don't want stolen. I would love to build a DIY home security system, but I don't even know where to start since Google searches reveal things like diysecurityforum.com, which help only to an extent for a curious newcomer. Has anybody out there successfully built a home security system on a budget? If so, where did you start?" Related query: When similar questions have come up before, many readers have recommended Linux-based Zoneminder (last updated more than a year ago); is that still the state of the art?
and if that doesn't work: more gun.
Do you even lift?
These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
So...
What are you going to buy that is worth stealing?
A moat and a drawbridge.
NB: The message above might reflect my opinion right now, but not necessarily tomorrow or next year.
In order to select the correct solution for you, we're going to need your address and a list of the expensive stuff you don't want stolen. Oh, and in case we drop by, please let us know the hours that you're usually at home. Would hate to make the trip out there only to find that you're away. Thanks!
I left my Mercedes unlocked on a Friday after work, came back on Monday morning and was surprised to find it unlocked.
Nobody locked it for you? Bastards!
German Shepherds, and a 12-gauge shotgun. You can probably use the gun for other things, like killing noisy turkeys, and the dog will make an excellent addition to your family and/or good way to attract chicks if you take it for the occasional walk in the park (although, if the dog is out with you, its not home watching the house. Maybe get two and have them work on shifts).
Get size 14-16 work boots from second hand store and old issue of Guns & Ammo. Leave on front porch with a note on the door that says: "Bubba, Rufus, Jim Bob and I went to the store to get more beer and ammo. The pit bulls attacked the mail carrier this morning and things got out of hand. Not sure if Killer got involved, there was too much blood to tell. In any case all four of the pit bulls are in the house so you better wait outside till we get back."
Keep Doing Good.
Dogs are useful and all, but bear ..
I totally agree. A bear is much better than even several dogs. Even in the case of several intruders, while the dogs could tackle them both simultaneously, the bear makes short work of even the largest thug.
"His name was James Damore."
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
When an intruder enters the area of protection, it automatically begins barking like an angry dog. From outside, it sounds like you have a very unfriendly dog inside.
Have you read my blog lately?
@Step 4
Wow that is one weird fantasy you have going there!
I would have gone for two hot blondes breaking in myself.. but I guess different things for different folks. (j/k)
http://www.linuxhomesecurity.com/ All the surveillance is based on MythTV. Seems open source friendly.
A bunch of tabs for future "support" on that website I see... I really hate to be that guy but it reminds me of this: xkcd
We should start a new Slashdot and return control to the geeks. It actually wouldn't be that hard to get some users to
time travel
time travel? Now that's going to require a lot of explosives!
I think your key ingredient might be time travel
Customer: I gotta get these pills to my girlfriend.. four months ago.
Einstein Express. When it absolutely, positively, has to be there the day before yesterday.
Here's a simple, proven technique for damage mitigation: A steel plate covering your entertainment center (or a workbench or whatever piece of furniture contains your most valuable stuff). Attach it with 3 bolts, and hide a wrench in a convenient spot. But here's the key to this technique: WELD a few dozen additional bolt heads onto the plate. You can remove the armor in just a few seconds when you come home, but the burglar, not knowing the scheme, will quickly run out of patience.
At a shop building which had been suffering from weekly burglaries, despite all manner of locks and alarms, this technique instantly and permanently stopped the losses.
Speaking of risk management, if you're preparing for that eventuality I hope you've also got an anti-nuke shield and a space alien laser weapon detection system because I'm pretty sure both are more likely than your scenario.
- Michael T. Babcock (Yes, I blog)