Hardware Hackers Create a Cheaper Bedazzler 282
ptorrone writes "Hardware hacker extraordinaires Ladyada (Adafruit Industries) and Phil Torrone (of MAKE magazine) have just published an open source 'Homeland Security' project, a non-lethal LED-Based Incapacitator: THE BEDAZZLER. After attending a conference where the $1 million 'sea-sick flashlight' (THE DAZZLER) was demoed by Homeland Security, the duo decided to created an under-$250 version, and just released the source code, schematics and PCB files. The team also released a 5 minute video describing the 'official version' as well as how they created the 'open source hardware' version."
Re:The purpose of the article (Score:3, Interesting)
Patents? (Score:3, Interesting)
Anyone else remember X-Men's Dazzler? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Patents? (Score:3, Interesting)
I think these would be great to use against police (Score:3, Interesting)
I think these devices would be great to use against riot police by protesters.
I wonder how long before they will be illegal?
Re:Except that... (Score:4, Interesting)
Replying to my own post ... actually, the problem is not just that what's dangerous to one person in a crowd is merely annoying to another. The overlap occurs in individuals too.
If a person is sufficiently motivated, especially if they're well-trained or on drugs, even *lethal* force can be inadequate to stop them.
Re:The purpose of the article (Score:3, Interesting)
Laser weapons. It specifically bans laser weapons where the primary purpose is permanently blinding people.
Oddly, it doesn't ban laser weapons where the primary purpose is killing people.
Re:Except that... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Except that... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Pigs will like this (Score:3, Interesting)
To a cop there are three kinds of people: Cops, cops' families, and suspects.
To Infernal Affairs, there is one kind of person: suspects. This includes themselves!
Re:Pigs will like this (Score:4, Interesting)
And yet, when you get in trouble, your first call will be to 911 and the first responder will most likely be a police officer who will try and help you or your family in any way he can.
I'll order a pizza instead. The pizza guy will show up sooner, might actually help, and is less likely to hassle me instead. Cops are good for providing paperwork required by insurance companies, and little else.
Pardom me if I have nothing but contempt for cops, but I have seriously been in a situation where I (as a pizza guy) had just been robbed, was still bleeding, and the cop hassled me for consuming his valuable time with my problems, called me stupid for delivering pizza to that neighborhood, and then gave me a ticket for some some expired sticker. Oh, and made sure to get free pizza from the restaurant.