Submitted by TreoBART on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 1:15pm.
I'm only as worried about my tech possessions as I am about being mugged. I think it would be pretty hard to mug someone seated in the middle of a rush hour train (though not impossible I suppose). I'm much more worried about the walk from the BART station to my car/office. Also, I'm smart enough NOT to leave my possessions even remotely unattended in public. My bag is always in my lap, not perched on the edge of the seat or on the floor next to me where anyone could grab it. Nothing makes a police officer laugh at you faster than:
"Officer, I left my purse on the floor right next to the door while I put on my face mask and ear plugs and slept, and someone stole it!"
I don't think you should be allowed to file a theft report if your item was left unattended, unlocked, or given to someone you don't know.
Submitted by chrystalflanders on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 3:29pm.
If someone is careless about their laptop, then they shouldn't bring it... If someone snatches it.. is it ok to use it as a weapon and bonk them on the head with it. Is that self-defense? Just curious.
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
.......Why use something as big and expensive as a laptop on a public transit system anyway? What, some people don't have time at home to do what they need on there? At least you can fit an iPod in your pocket. But then again really a laptop has the same theft potential as any other possession you have whether on public transit, in public, or even at home. (Well, there's my comment for the day. ZzZzZzZz)
Submitted by boopiejones on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 8:36pm.
i would guess most people using laptops on bart are using them for work, not play. i know a guy whose company allowed his 2 hour daily commute time to count toward his 8 hours of work because he was on a wi fi enabled bus and logged into his work laptop.
Submitted by chrystalflanders on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 9:40am.
Is that ripping off the job by saying you are working while on Bart, using your laptop? What does the longest trip on bart actually take? 2 hours at the most? What type of work can be done on Bart in that short ride that can't wait until you get to the job? I can see an AMTRAK ride requiring an opening of the laptop, but not really bart. Ok understand people are work-a-holics, but I think waiting is good. The cramped ride in the AM makes it difficult. I thought about popping open a laptop once, but it would be a waste of time because by the time I get logged on, find what I'm looking for, I'd be where I'm gonna be.. Shit!! Shit!! Shit!!!!
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
Submitted by Thorbjørn on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 8:08pm.
I saw some dude on a crowded standing room only train that had his notebook computer out and was attempting to use it while standing. It was pressed up against his chest and only half open since there wasn't room. That is some kind of need for an information fix.
The people who I assume are prime targets are the ones (usually men) sitting in the seats right next to the doors. They're not aware of anything going on around them. Seems like it would just take someone to wait until the doors were about to close to grab the computer just before they closed so they couldn't follow if the timing was right.
The Oakland PD canvassed our neighborhood with brochures on safety. Some of the recommendations were not to display any electronic devices, including cell phones, in public places. I assumed that thieves wouldn't really care that much about phones at this point unless they were really fancy ones like Treos or iPhones. I never assumed my crappy Razr would interest anyone.
It's probably more dangerous off BART then on. I got mugged at gunpoint while on the street with a mostly empty backpack on, but the thug evidently was thinking I had a computer in it and lost interest in that item when there was no computer in it. He took my previous, crappy cell phone mostly so I couldn't call the police too quickly, I think. I don't think he cared about the phone itself. There is more to the story, but it's ugly and traumatic. I'd say the neighborhoods surrounding many BART stations are more dangerous than the BART trains themselves.
Submitted by bart_rider on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 10:51pm.
I've worked on my laptop alot on BART and nothing has ever happened but I don't sit by the doors either and would never even think of trying to use it standing up. There's not much they can do with it if they get their paws on it because Apple would be on to them in a new york minute.
Submitted by boopiejones on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 8:36am.
i was wondering the same thing. i guess if the person tried to log into the internet i could see them somehow sending a message to the computer that renders it inoperable???
personally, i am a big fan of boobytrapping. i think it is totally lame that it is against the law to boobytrap. if someone tresspasses into my house, why shouldn't i be able to have a trap door that deposits them into a vat of boiling tar? or plastic explosives inside my laptop that detonate if someone gives the wrong password three times? if you ask me, there need to be real consequences for peoples actions. someone would think twice about stealing a car if there was potential for the gear shift knob to give them a 200,000 volt electric shock.
edit: apparently there are software packages that report if a laptop appears to be stolen. these include CompuTrace and LaptopLocate for Windows, and PC Phonehome and Mac Phonehome, LapCop and StealthSignal for Macintosh laptops. the company can work with law enforcement to recover your laptop. plastic explosives still seem more effective to me.
There are legal boobytraps that are non lethal. Alarm Systems. Use sirens that blare at ear piercing levels. 120db is good. If you really want to get fancy, put electronic locks on doors and program the system to lock down that room where the sensor is tripped. What's the trap? Locking the room down and the blaring siren. I would not recommend that however. Really just by putting signs around your home that it is protected by an alarm system is enough to deter a burglar. A hardwired system is the best. If you must go wireless, I recommend Ademco products. Yes, I'm a do-it-yourself type of person. Mainly in electronics.
Submitted by boopiejones on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 9:32pm.
Locking down a room with a blaring siren sounds like a great idea, but you'd probably get sued for a couple things. False imprisonment and causing irreversable damage to the poor robbers ears. Maybe more. I think it totally sucks, but its true. I like texas' laws better. Can't you kill a tresspasser even if your life is not threatened in texas?
I have no clue but I would not try it. And yeah, that locking down the room with the intruder inside and blaring sirens was a joke. I would prefer that the system lock all other doors in the facility except the entrance that they used. I'm keeping the siren at blaring levels so they will want to leave if they know what's good for them. Then again, being the sound tech I am, I may replace the siren with my stereo system and have it play the song "Bad Boys, Bad Boys. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" LOL
Submitted by bikesonbart on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 8:32am.
My solution for passing through the hood near Coliseum is to look crazier than they do. Plus it helps that I don't look like I have any money or anything worth stealing.
I agree. There's nothing wrong with having nice things, but the stupid part is when we make it so obvious. And please don't say "that wont happen to me" That's like telling Ashton he can't punk us.
I'm only as worried about my
I'm only as worried about my tech possessions as I am about being mugged. I think it would be pretty hard to mug someone seated in the middle of a rush hour train (though not impossible I suppose). I'm much more worried about the walk from the BART station to my car/office. Also, I'm smart enough NOT to leave my possessions even remotely unattended in public. My bag is always in my lap, not perched on the edge of the seat or on the floor next to me where anyone could grab it. Nothing makes a police officer laugh at you faster than:
"Officer, I left my purse on the floor right next to the door while I put on my face mask and ear plugs and slept, and someone stole it!"
I don't think you should be allowed to file a theft report if your item was left unattended, unlocked, or given to someone you don't know.
-----------------------
There is no "U" in BART
If someone is careless about
If someone is careless about their laptop, then they shouldn't bring it... If someone snatches it.. is it ok to use it as a weapon and bonk them on the head with it. Is that self-defense? Just curious.
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
i'm kinda surprised the
i'm kinda surprised the voting is so close. is it really that scary to take valuables on bart?
.......Why use something as
.......Why use something as big and expensive as a laptop on a public transit system anyway? What, some people don't have time at home to do what they need on there? At least you can fit an iPod in your pocket. But then again really a laptop has the same theft potential as any other possession you have whether on public transit, in public, or even at home. (Well, there's my comment for the day. ZzZzZzZz)
i would guess most people
i would guess most people using laptops on bart are using them for work, not play. i know a guy whose company allowed his 2 hour daily commute time to count toward his 8 hours of work because he was on a wi fi enabled bus and logged into his work laptop.
Is that ripping off the job
Is that ripping off the job by saying you are working while on Bart, using your laptop? What does the longest trip on bart actually take? 2 hours at the most? What type of work can be done on Bart in that short ride that can't wait until you get to the job? I can see an AMTRAK ride requiring an opening of the laptop, but not really bart. Ok understand people are work-a-holics, but I think waiting is good. The cramped ride in the AM makes it difficult. I thought about popping open a laptop once, but it would be a waste of time because by the time I get logged on, find what I'm looking for, I'd be where I'm gonna be.. Shit!! Shit!! Shit!!!!
Chrystal Flanders -"You're Saying it or You're Not! You're a Punk or You're Not!"
I leave mine tucked away,
I leave mine tucked away, out of sight. There's no need for me to take it out. I can usually manage the 1/2hr without checking my email.
()_()(._.)
For all the years I've taken
For all the years I've taken bart I've never seen a laptop or pda being stolen.
I saw some dude on a crowded
I saw some dude on a crowded standing room only train that had his notebook computer out and was attempting to use it while standing. It was pressed up against his chest and only half open since there wasn't room. That is some kind of need for an information fix.
The people who I assume are prime targets are the ones (usually men) sitting in the seats right next to the doors. They're not aware of anything going on around them. Seems like it would just take someone to wait until the doors were about to close to grab the computer just before they closed so they couldn't follow if the timing was right.
The Oakland PD canvassed our neighborhood with brochures on safety. Some of the recommendations were not to display any electronic devices, including cell phones, in public places. I assumed that thieves wouldn't really care that much about phones at this point unless they were really fancy ones like Treos or iPhones. I never assumed my crappy Razr would interest anyone.
It's probably more dangerous off BART then on. I got mugged at gunpoint while on the street with a mostly empty backpack on, but the thug evidently was thinking I had a computer in it and lost interest in that item when there was no computer in it. He took my previous, crappy cell phone mostly so I couldn't call the police too quickly, I think. I don't think he cared about the phone itself. There is more to the story, but it's ugly and traumatic. I'd say the neighborhoods surrounding many BART stations are more dangerous than the BART trains themselves.
I've worked on my laptop
I've worked on my laptop alot on BART and nothing has ever happened but I don't sit by the doors either and would never even think of trying to use it standing up. There's not much they can do with it if they get their paws on it because Apple would be on to them in a new york minute.
Our family might get a
Our family might get a macbook soon. What can Apple do if your macbook has been stolen? Lowjack?
i was wondering the same
i was wondering the same thing. i guess if the person tried to log into the internet i could see them somehow sending a message to the computer that renders it inoperable???
personally, i am a big fan of boobytrapping. i think it is totally lame that it is against the law to boobytrap. if someone tresspasses into my house, why shouldn't i be able to have a trap door that deposits them into a vat of boiling tar? or plastic explosives inside my laptop that detonate if someone gives the wrong password three times? if you ask me, there need to be real consequences for peoples actions. someone would think twice about stealing a car if there was potential for the gear shift knob to give them a 200,000 volt electric shock.
edit: apparently there are software packages that report if a laptop appears to be stolen. these include CompuTrace and LaptopLocate for Windows, and PC Phonehome and Mac Phonehome, LapCop and StealthSignal for Macintosh laptops. the company can work with law enforcement to recover your laptop. plastic explosives still seem more effective to me.
There are legal boobytraps
There are legal boobytraps that are non lethal. Alarm Systems. Use sirens that blare at ear piercing levels. 120db is good. If you really want to get fancy, put electronic locks on doors and program the system to lock down that room where the sensor is tripped. What's the trap? Locking the room down and the blaring siren. I would not recommend that however. Really just by putting signs around your home that it is protected by an alarm system is enough to deter a burglar. A hardwired system is the best. If you must go wireless, I recommend Ademco products. Yes, I'm a do-it-yourself type of person. Mainly in electronics.
Locking down a room with a
Locking down a room with a blaring siren sounds like a great idea, but you'd probably get sued for a couple things. False imprisonment and causing irreversable damage to the poor robbers ears. Maybe more. I think it totally sucks, but its true. I like texas' laws better. Can't you kill a tresspasser even if your life is not threatened in texas?
I have no clue but I would
I have no clue but I would not try it. And yeah, that locking down the room with the intruder inside and blaring sirens was a joke. I would prefer that the system lock all other doors in the facility except the entrance that they used. I'm keeping the siren at blaring levels so they will want to leave if they know what's good for them. Then again, being the sound tech I am, I may replace the siren with my stereo system and have it play the song "Bad Boys, Bad Boys. Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" LOL
My solution for passing
My solution for passing through the hood near Coliseum is to look crazier than they do. Plus it helps that I don't look like I have any money or anything worth stealing.
I agree. There's nothing
I agree. There's nothing wrong with having nice things, but the stupid part is when we make it so obvious. And please don't say "that wont happen to me" That's like telling Ashton he can't punk us.