Posted on 04/17/2005 2:46:01 PM PDT by Willie Green
In what is described as the largest telematics deal in history, IBM engineers will design an automobile-monitoring system and install a device in cars to track drivers in the United Arab Emirates.
(Excerpt) Read more at informationweek.com ...
I rented a car in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. The contract stated that cars were equiped with GPS. That if the car was taken out of the agreed upon geographic limits, driven at excessive speeds, or other improper use of the vehicle occured, I would get popped $$ when I returned it.
Now it gets funny. First they said they wanted a $400 deposit attached to my VISA card. Then one said no, not needed. Because I was NOT a residence of Vegas. She said that The locals kept stealing the cars, but we visitors returned them.
Since were were driving out alone into the desert, I figured the GPS was great. We'd be found easily in case of trouble. Worng. I mentioned that when returning the car & the girl said, well, the GPS wasn't really in all the cars. Just some.
Well, when it does, that'll put an end to all the, "Why don't you geezers get the hell out of the left lane because it belongs to me" threads.
At least it's better than losing your head or testicle!
woman driving car=execution.
Sounds like it's time to ramp up production on the Prius and the Aveo...
Man, I hate it when I'm worng...
Willie, I've always found your posts interesting and informative, but you are one depressing person! I really didn't want to know this. Thanks for posting it, though.
Back in 1994, I stopped to help a guy who's truck was broken down, and he told me that every car and truck built since 85 had a box on it that the government could shut it down if they wished. I thought he was a nut, but now nobody even raises an eyebrow when they mention it. Of course, you can check on some OnStar type systems by entering your vehicle code on the internet. I'm just glad they didn't have them when I was a kid.
American Express, Minneapolis circa 2000, American Express had signed off on a system image (they have to test extensively against their own software) sent the image to IBM to have it pushed to roughly a third of the machines.
Someone at IBM added an untested piece of software to the image when it was pushed to the computers. 1 third of the machines at American Express went down due to the addition of this piece of software.
IBM may make good, but they darn well make sure they get their pound of flesh.
As for you, Bobitutu, you obviously have no sense of humor, nor do you know a bit of hyperbole when you see it.
Are the black boxes under warranty? Because if mine starts having problems I would sure feel safer knowing that I can get it fixed right away. I'd hate to think that someone wasn't able to track my whereabouts because I accidently pulled a wire while changing my oil or something...
I was watching a report about Washington D.C. deploying radar traps. They have two mounted cameras at a couple of intersections and they also have two or three cameras mounted on unmarked police cars that move about the city.
As I watched these cameras flashing almost constantly, it dawned on me. The police officer does absolutely nothing but sit back in his car and nibble on his donuts. And what does that mean? The fact that the police officer does not have to move a muscle means that the days of +5 to 10 mph grace is over.
They used to not worry about the minor speeders because the time, cost and effort was not worth a measly $15 or $20 dollar ticket. Now, it will be quantity over quality. Set that radar gun to 35mph and just start clicking away. Delay the ticket issuance for 4 to 6 weeks so as to bag the same people early and often and then when things begin drying up in 2 or 3 months, move on to the next area.
What a great scam!
Nice, but you need to hire a plumber to work on it!
It is happenning here.
Oregon is testing a system with gps in cars that tax by the mile while in Oregon. The gps is to tax only while in the state.
But that is just where it starts.
We still have a tax on phones from the Spanish American war of the 19th century.
Ca still has a sales tax from the earthquake years ago that was SUPPOSED to be taken off at the end of that year. I think it was 94 or something like that.
Once they get their greedy hands on a supply of our money it NEVER comes off.
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