O'Reilly Author's Laptop Rescued By 'Twitter Posse' and Prey 123
An anonymous reader writes "Bad news: a Canadian who visited New York had his laptop stolen. Good news: it was outfitted with Prey, the open-source computer tracking application. Better news: a group in NYC made a 'geek squad intervention,' faced the culprit and retrieved the laptop safely. This case naturally raises the usual sorts of questions about the 'Twitter posse' culture." The victim-turned-victor is author and consultant Sean Power.
Re:If you steal a laptop (Score:4, Insightful)
If you're smart enough to even pose these questions, you can probably do something better with your time than steal laptops.
Re:Let me get this straight... (Score:1, Insightful)
...a possibly armed criminal face to face...
...inevitable armed criminal....
...following bloodbath.
Christ, you're a coward. Enjoy your long, safe, life hiding away from any potentially dangerous situations. It's almost sad to know you're not capable of standing up for yourself or others.
Re:Let me get this straight... (Score:5, Insightful)
You have to turn off the television and get out more. Half the time the 'hardened criminal' is just a teenage kid being opportunist. Even a retired American lady I know here tried fighting off a mugger here last week, and the worst she got was a bruise backside when she was pushed over. I've stopped robberies, and had a number of people arrested. I'm still here, no bloodbath.
However you can be 99% certain that the person with the laptop the next day is not the thief. As soon as they steal it they sell it immediately no matter what the price. The last time I was robbed it was hell getting back my stuff as they'd sold it all within 10 minutes. My 250e shades they sold for 20e. The watch, phone, etc went for similar ridiculous prices. Just ask for the laptop back and the person in possession will give it straight away (as they did in this story). There might be a little initial bluster, to simulate indignation hence innocence, but they know perfectly well they bought a stolen laptop which is a criminal offence.
Just how little do these folks think their lives are worth?
With an attitude like that, you are one sad member of your society and I'm glad you don't live near me.
Phillip.