As somebody who owns tons of computers I also own tons of battery backups. As one of their many features, my battery backup can save some files and shutdown my computer for me as soon s the power goes it. It’s really neat… but I want more.
I’m envisioning a battery backup that alerts me when my power is out. It can simply use my email program to fire off an email to me, or send me a twitter, or text message, or whatever - or it can be more advanced and not require a computer at all.
One could build in an ethernet port and a simply linux operating system with sendmail and boom - it can alert me without a computer.
This would be very useful for businesses. When I worked at Wendys in college our power went out a few times and we lost thousands of dollars of food that spoiled overnight. If we had a system to alert us to the power outage we could have driven the food to another store before it spoiled.
I know some alarm companies do this, but they generally only call 1 person. An email list would be more efficient here.
Another use is for old people who have medical equipment. My friend Chuck often leaves his grandmother at home - and she’s on a breathing machine. I’m sure he’d buy one of these too.
Does this product exist already? If not, why doesn’t it?
July 21st, 2008
Previously I mentioned that one of my credit card numbers had been compromised. I quickly took care of that (here’s how) but not until I called to send back some recent purchases did I realize what they were up to.
I couldn’t figure out why I kept receiving book clubs, blockbuster accounts, and weird facial cremes in the mail. I thought surely that this had to be the dumbest identity thief ever. They’ve purchased 6 things and have yet to hit $100, and everything keeps showing up at my house. FAIL…
Or not.
See, what I didn’t realize is that everything they ordered was through a commission junction banner. So the person who has my credit card number simply created a commission junction account and then clicked his own banners and signed me up for the products. There’s almost no way they’re going to get caught. The credit card company has to trace it back to the book clubs, who trace it back to commission junction, and it probably dies there. By then, the person’s account is probably closed up and they’ve already cashed their check. By keeping the purchases under $100 they avoid any likelihood of being charged with a crime - as it’s not profitable for the credit card company to go after them.
Hats off to you olivikau8m@excite.com - it’s a pretty nice scam you’ve got going there for you. May the fleas of 1000 camels infest your genitals.
On a plus note, Scholastic simply told me to donate the books I received to a local library instead of sending them back. Most companies would want their $5 shipment back and threaten to charge me for it if I didn’t send it back within so many days. I know, a few have done so. Let me tell you it’s a pain in the ass to have to go and buy a box to put crap in that you didn’t order. (since most had the packing slip inside the box, so it had to be opened to call them)
My library is about to get a bunch of Disney books though, so at least somebody other than olivikau8m@excite.com wins here.
July 21st, 2008
