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I recently had an interesting find at a local thrift store: a mess of televisions used in a correctional facility! Unfortunately, I didn't find any drugs or shivs hidden in mine (would be a bit hard, given the cases are clear) but they're nice pieces of kit for $8 each.
They'd be super handy as external monitors for something like htop or other system monitors, but the HDMI and VGA port appear to be disabled somehow. However, intriguingly, there is a USB port "for factory use only". I can get about 5 more if I want and I can find a good project for them, but I don't really know where to start when it comes to potentially modifying them to re-enable the HDMI port. I figure they just need their firmware configured to enable the ports, but I have no idea where to start. If anyone has any ideas of where to start poking around I'd appreciate it. They're also a rather unusual item, so I'd be glad to entertain any questions you may have about them.
Imgur album with some pictures of one of the monitors in question.
As always, thanks!
[Editor's Note: I've done a bit of web searching, the monitor is marked as AMP'D HDTV Monitor SLTV-1519AP-3S with ATSC Tuner, and others seem to have got it working. It appears to be useful as a gaming display, as well as for other purposes. It is a 15" screen (720p). Anyone with any ideas?]
(Score: 4, Insightful) by legont on Saturday August 11 2018, @03:49AM (4 children)
I was trained differently. The main idea was that if I show a weapon, I have to use it. The reason is that it is psychologically easier to attack an armed opponent. Demonstrating a serious weapon, such as gun or knife, is a way to get killed. That's where the classic cowboy scene comes from: boys are looking into each other eyes without drawing their guns. Whoever draws it first is usually killed.
In practical life the best knife, or even mace, defense would be to cry loud and ask for mercy and if the attack continues use the blade before the attacker sees it. Also, when using it, the intent should always be to kill the attacker. An intent to produce some reasonable damage is a bad idea for similar reasons. Wounded animal is more dangerous.
Hence if you carry a weapon make sure you prepare yourself - accept it - to kill people. If you don't it is safer to leave guns and blades at home.
"Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 11 2018, @11:43AM (3 children)
Well said. I can't fault GP for his nonviolent ideals, but practically, shows of force don't work unless you have overwhelming force, which is nearly never the case between individuals.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 12 2018, @12:39AM (2 children)
GP here. I think the both of you are underestimating the effectiveness of a good (OC, sticky gel, spray nozzle) mace.
Because it does not cause permanent damage, there is no moral inhibition - even to pacifists like myself - to using it in a pre-emptive attack in a confrontation that has not yet turned violent but looks like it's about to. It can be safely applied from well outside the reach of a knife-wielding attacker and opens up all tactical options - you can either go on the offense and physically attack or try to disarm the assailant who is now blind and cramping in pain - basically helpless - or just GTFO. On top, it doesn't require much skill to successfully apply, anyone can use it to full effect with zero training. All of this makes it a credible deterrent.
An attacker who is not stupid will accept that charging into the mace guy, no matter how meek he looks, has the strong possibility of coming out of the fight with at least their dignity lost and maybe more. A stupid attacker will learn the hard way :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 12 2018, @01:15AM
There is no mace in prisons, and as a normally concealed weapon, it's not a deterrent to violence. I also have to disagree wrt the morality (as well as the advisability) of making a first strike just because it's nonlethal. Violence is violence, regardless of whether your intent is to kill or not. The same logic behind "if you show the weapon you must use it" makes using nonlethal weapons just as dangerous as lethal ones that aren't used lethally. Many people will respond to your threat with premeditated deadly force. Better to just take a whooping or get robbed if you don't have the heart for fighting without weapons.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Sunday August 12 2018, @11:10PM
Be careful though. Depending on what the attacker is on, the mace may simply enrage him enough to beat you to a fine pulp while he screams in pain.