206 DEAR HACKER
206 DEAR HACKER
the Earth, assuming that the theory is correct about time being differ- ent for moving objects and the speed they are traveling, we can infer that the time we have aged would be less than what the Earth has aged. It may not be the fountain of youth, but it is a step up. Remember that this is only a theory. There are kinks and ideas that are subject to change. Thank you for your time.
Jesse
It’s good to hear that scientists are exploring the possibility of time travel without the use of a DeLorean as they are rather expensive and difficult to get a hold of. We also are indebted to you for confirming that time travel is indeed a one way street. This easily explains why we have not met any time travelers since they would have to come from the past where it hasn’t been invented yet. We look for- ward to future reports from the laboratory.
Dear 2600:
I have been in the electronic security industry since the early 1990s, at first installing and later designing and selling CCTV, access control, intrusion, fire alarm systems, and integration packages. I think that your fine magazine should be mandatory reading for anyone who works in any security field. I’ve been a reader for so long that I forgot when I started.
All of our security systems have a computer/network component. It always amazes me that my industry “peers” seem to know so little about computer networks and less about network security. I always ask people in my business if they read or know what 2600 is, and the answer is almost always no. It is no wonder that IT managers cringe when they see us pulling into their parking lots!
I want to remark on an editor’s response to a letter by Estragon in the 26:1 issue concerning CCTV systems in supermarkets. This same remark can be applied to many surveillance system installations.
TECHNOLOGY
Large CCTV installations in supermarkets are very common. Many “mega-stores” may have 64 or more cameras and four or more DVRs connected to RAID arrays to collect and archive video (to be stored for years in some cases). The reason is not to stop you from shoplift- ing a steak or some dairy products, although this deterrence is a side benefit. The main issue is the store protecting itself from fraudulent “slip and fall” personal injury lawsuits.
You have to sell a lot of lettuce to buy a $30,000 to $40,000 CCTV system, but if you prevent one fraudulent lawsuit, the system has paid for itself many times over. Supermarkets which operate on a notoriously low profit margin are able to win discounts on insurance for having these systems installed. Video images are sometimes stored for the length of time allowed to file a lawsuit against the store. This is years in many localities. Hence, the RAID array.
Reading a book by its cover can be misleading. In the example shown here, the motive is purely economic (could even be greed). Yes, storing images of shoppers (including me) grates on me, but in many cases, these stores need this protection to stay in business.
Just thought a view from a different angle might be enlightening. The Security Department
We thank you for showing us a different perspective on this.
Dear 2600: What happened to all the 10-10-XXX long-distance prefixes? It
seemed at one point, about ten years ago, you couldn’t go a minute without seeing or hearing an annoying ad for one. It seems like they all of a sudden disappeared. Now I don’t know what to do with all those promotional refrigerator magnets....