Burglar nabs laptop - Laptop nabs burglar

Tdot · May 11th, 2008, 04:37 PM

This news story just cracked me up. Something I hadn't thought about before, so I won't spoil the punchline, but I love it.

octatonic · May 11th, 2008, 04:43 PM

Awesome.

I have a total of 5 Mac's all running Leopard.
'Back to my Mac' is a wonderful feature, not just for the situation above but for getting data when I am working in other studios.
It has saved my bacon on more than one occasion.

Arlo · May 11th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Excellent! LOL!!

blacklinefish · May 11th, 2008, 07:07 PM

The only problem is that it uses a service that costs $99 a year. Isn't an insurance policy cheaper than that?

--gh

neocaster · May 11th, 2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklinefish

The only problem is that it uses a service that costs $99 a year. Isn't an insurance policy cheaper than that?

--gh

Maybe, but it only covers material losses. I dunno about you, but it's worth $99 to have a fair chance to get my pictures, home videos and music back.

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklinefish

The only problem is that it uses a service that costs $99 a year. Isn't an insurance policy cheaper than that?

--gh

The .mac account does a lot more than allow for back to my mac... you can also use this with a product called timbuktu... there are several others... my favorite about this was in a laptop initiative where all the kids get laptops at a school.... we'd had a couple stolen and we used timbuktu (this is about 3 years ago) anyway, we connected to the machines and changed the desktop picture to one that said "This Machine Has Been Stolen from XXX high school. It is being tracked and anyone using it is guilty of Grand Theft. To return this computer call (and I listed the 800 number for my secretary) we had all of them back in 3 days...

There are really great products like computrace etc.... but, the short answer is... no, insurance isn't better because getting folks to pay on these is a pain in the rear... I deal with these projects by the thousands of computers and I promise you computer insurance is an ugly ugly business.

my .mac account is just about my favorite thing.. it is very, very cool.

dangerine49 · May 11th, 2008, 08:51 PM

PC's can also use an embedded software subscription tool called Computrace (LoJack for laptops) which can track down thiefs to recover the laptop and even erase the hard drive remotely if there is sensitive information on the hard drive.

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 09:27 PM

computrace works on both platforms but is functionally different than what is referenced in the story.

ajgus · May 11th, 2008, 09:39 PM

Dude! I've been hearing so many stories lately about how computer thieves have been foiled by the victims. I own two Macs, one of which I'm typing on now. Its great to think that if my MacBook is ever stolen (God forbid), that there is a chance of utilizing that sort of cyber-vigilanty justice...

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 09:43 PM

Ajgus, it won't happen on its own! You need to make sure the method that you prefer is setup. If you use computrace or backtomymac or timbuktu... you gotta set it up... none are foolproof and a really astute thief (typically an oxymoron) can defeat any of them.

On macs, you can also explore using a firmware password or using filevault (both built in) to protect your data... Lots to know in both of these areas and lots of thinking prior to action.

ajgus · May 11th, 2008, 09:51 PM

I hear you getbent. I'm just saying that I like it anytime when victims are WAY smarter & WAY more savvy than those that would attempt to victimize them. I'm all about poetic justice. Quite frankly...I play guitar...I ain't never really been much for no fancy computer learnin'. Its just great to know that idiots like that can be thwarted.

Tdot · May 11th, 2008, 09:57 PM

The ability to connect and control a remote computer is nothing new for any platform. But the current technology available at the consumer level is pretty cool however you choose to implement it (I do use .Mac and it's very cool for many reasons).

The fact that this function isn't widely used by consumers yet is what makes the story so funny. A guy steals a laptop, the police can do nothing. Some time later the owner realizes she can turn on her stolen laptop from another computer and spy on the thief. And because the laptop is using the internet, and has a built-in web cam with software to take snapshots or movies of the user, software for remote access, - the thief gets caught!

I just imagine the guy sitting there surfing the web, and the mouse/trackpad seems to be acting up. The computer begins to have a mind of it's own. While the thief is puzzled, the webcam activates and takes his picture and gives it to an unknown source (the real owner).

Now did the thief say WTF?... OH SH..! Or did he even realize what had happened? Either way it's just plain funny that the cops find him, his accomplice, and a pile of other stolen goods. All because someone implemented some features built-in to an off the shelve laptop.

garytelecastor · May 11th, 2008, 09:58 PM

I LOVE THIS!!!!!
This guy comes over to visit and helps himself. Then ends up being charged?!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 10:10 PM

my guess is that they used photobooth to take the guys pic... which is hilarious because it makes a progressive "boop" sound when it is taking pictures and countsdown... they must have been wildly befuddled...

thieves really, really suck.

furrfurrfurr · May 11th, 2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

thieves really, really suck.

my sentiments exactly

Tdot · May 11th, 2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

my guess is that they used photobooth to take the guys pic... which is hilarious because it makes a progressive "boop" sound when it is taking pictures and countsdown... they must have been wildly befuddled...

That's the way I imagined it. Cursor bounces around, Photobooth launchs, he's looking at his own face on the screen... boop boop boop boop boop .. chink, a few windows pop around and Photobooth quits. Then he either goes on surfing or has a panic attack. My bet is he probably kept trying to figure out what buttons he pushed to make that cool camera thing happen.

getbent · May 11th, 2008, 11:33 PM

and then hit web gallery! ha ha! oh man! When we caught the little turds who'd stolen the 3 laptops... all by 'scaring them'... ha ha!

There is a story in the Mercury News about a tech director who has been stealing gear and reselling it from his own district... it is a sad backstory to say the least... and he is going DOWN!

I'm helping a school district investigate a suspected thief right now and so far our info is not looking good for the suspect... Pretty funny when they ask us to manage their inventory and then forget that we track where everything goes including where it 'phones home' from...

Nobody ever thinks they are gonna get caught...

Blazer · May 12th, 2008, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

This news story just cracked me up. Something I hadn't thought about before, so I won't spoil the punchline, but I love it.

"Smile, you're on candid camera! ...No really, you are!"

Tdot · May 12th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer

"Smile, you're on candid camera! ...No really, you are!"

When I originally posted, my brain meant "spoil the plot", but my fingers typed punchline. That certainly is the punchline.

And the best quote:

Quote:

“It doesn’t get much better than their bringing us a picture of the guy actually using the stolen property,” a police official said.

May 11th, 2008, 04:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,313 58 Photos	Burglar nabs laptop - Laptop nabs burglar This news story just cracked me up. Something I hadn't thought about before, so I won't spoil the punchline, but I love it. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

May 11th, 2008, 04:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
octatonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,282	Awesome. I have a total of 5 Mac's all running Leopard. 'Back to my Mac' is a wonderful feature, not just for the situation above but for getting data when I am working in other studios. It has saved my bacon on more than one occasion. __________________ “Music is perpetual, and only the hearing is intermittent.” - Henry David Thoreau.

May 11th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Arlo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Maine [in a van down by the river] Age: 49 Posts: 2,168	Excellent! LOL!! __________________ My music? It is free for my friends.

May 11th, 2008, 09:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	computrace works on both platforms but is functionally different than what is referenced in the story. __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.

May 11th, 2008, 09:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,539	Dude! I've been hearing so many stories lately about how computer thieves have been foiled by the victims. I own two Macs, one of which I'm typing on now. Its great to think that if my MacBook is ever stolen (God forbid), that there is a chance of utilizing that sort of cyber-vigilanty justice... __________________ "Is anyone here a Marine Biologist?!!!"

May 11th, 2008, 07:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
blacklinefish Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northwest Missouri Age: 40 Posts: 1,004	The only problem is that it uses a service that costs $99 a year. Isn't an insurance policy cheaper than that? --gh

May 11th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
dangerine49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 339	PC's can also use an embedded software subscription tool called Computrace (LoJack for laptops) which can track down thiefs to recover the laptop and even erase the hard drive remotely if there is sensitive information on the hard drive.

May 11th, 2008, 09:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	Ajgus, it won't happen on its own! You need to make sure the method that you prefer is setup. If you use computrace or backtomymac or timbuktu... you gotta set it up... none are foolproof and a really astute thief (typically an oxymoron) can defeat any of them. On macs, you can also explore using a firmware password or using filevault (both built in) to protect your data... Lots to know in both of these areas and lots of thinking prior to action. __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.

May 11th, 2008, 09:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
ajgus Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 1,539	I hear you getbent. I'm just saying that I like it anytime when victims are WAY smarter & WAY more savvy than those that would attempt to victimize them. I'm all about poetic justice. Quite frankly...I play guitar...I ain't never really been much for no fancy computer learnin'. Its just great to know that idiots like that can be thwarted. __________________ "Is anyone here a Marine Biologist?!!!"

May 11th, 2008, 09:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,313 58 Photos	The ability to connect and control a remote computer is nothing new for any platform. But the current technology available at the consumer level is pretty cool however you choose to implement it (I do use .Mac and it's very cool for many reasons). The fact that this function isn't widely used by consumers yet is what makes the story so funny. A guy steals a laptop, the police can do nothing. Some time later the owner realizes she can turn on her stolen laptop from another computer and spy on the thief. And because the laptop is using the internet, and has a built-in web cam with software to take snapshots or movies of the user, software for remote access, - the thief gets caught! I just imagine the guy sitting there surfing the web, and the mouse/trackpad seems to be acting up. The computer begins to have a mind of it's own. While the thief is puzzled, the webcam activates and takes his picture and gives it to an unknown source (the real owner). Now did the thief say WTF?... OH SH..! Or did he even realize what had happened? Either way it's just plain funny that the cops find him, his accomplice, and a pile of other stolen goods. All because someone implemented some features built-in to an off the shelve laptop. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

May 11th, 2008, 09:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
garytelecastor Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,084 18 Photos	I LOVE THIS!!!!! This guy comes over to visit and helps himself. Then ends up being charged?!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!! __________________ éí 'aaníígÓÓ 'áhoot'é Redd Volkaert is a Jedi Knight at one with the Force!!!

May 11th, 2008, 10:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	my guess is that they used photobooth to take the guys pic... which is hilarious because it makes a progressive "boop" sound when it is taking pictures and countsdown... they must have been wildly befuddled... thieves really, really suck. __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.

May 11th, 2008, 11:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 8,732 37 Photos	and then hit web gallery! ha ha! oh man! When we caught the little turds who'd stolen the 3 laptops... all by 'scaring them'... ha ha! There is a story in the Mercury News about a tech director who has been stealing gear and reselling it from his own district... it is a sad backstory to say the least... and he is going DOWN! I'm helping a school district investigate a suspected thief right now and so far our info is not looking good for the suspect... Pretty funny when they ask us to manage their inventory and then forget that we track where everything goes including where it 'phones home' from... Nobody ever thinks they are gonna get caught... __________________ I got a room at the top of the world tonight, I got a room at the top of the world tonight, and I ain't... comin'... down.