Portables Without Cameras? 442
crankyspice writes "I work routinely in environments where a camera cannot physically be present (e.g., federal court), which really limits what I can carry with me. For instance, I'm a Mac guy, but there's no way to order a MacBook without a built-in webcam (which I've never used on the machines I've owned that have had one). Ditto the iPhone. I'm left with a BlackBerry 8830 and the bottom rung of the [W|L]Intel portables. Even then, when I ordered a Dell Mini 9, I had to wait more than a month because I specified no webcam when I placed the order. This is a relatively common (government, law, sensitive corporate environments) requirement; what have other Slashdotters done? Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?"
Step back a bit... (Score:5, Funny)
Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?
Simple, non-technical solution: just hire $10/hour security guards!
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:4, Interesting)
Not necessarily better!
I've seen many crazy things to do w/ "security" guards, in all regions of the U.S. and various contexts (courthouses, airports, etc.) A friend of mine had his P38 (old military style) can opener taken off his keychain in the Bucks County Courthouse (PA); it's hard to believe that it's (much) more dangerous as a slashing implement than most of the other keys on the same keychain. And the keychain itself could be used to bludgeon someone. And the strap of my messenger bag could have quite satisfyingly throttled that simpering, simple-headed nogoodnik of a "security guard" in the first place.
True: walked into a parole office in New Jersey with a fellow about to start parole. The lazy, snickering security guard spotted us after we'd both entered, through the (unattended) flimsy, Soviet-style metal-detector that probably had guts cheaper than the kind you see guys sweeping down the beach. The new parolee, who was carrying nothing, was asked to actually go through the device. I was not (had to ask special) -- even though I was carrying a bag that could have had a few dozen grenades, or mice, or whatever. Perhaps it was because I was wearing a Suit of Hypnosis and a Tie of Knotting.
Guard soon went back to guarding his GameBoy in the corner 20 or more feet from the entrance.
timothy
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
I run into folks like you at work all the time. Most of us just refer to you guys as assholes. It's astonishing to me how arrogant people can be.
I'm ultimately the one that's going to have to look for any IEDs that somebody might plant in my part of the building as well as screen vehicles coming in. I get that you make more than I do, but that's really no reason to act like such a jack ass.
You know it's not exactly stress free working at one of the top hundred terrorist targets. And having to put up with ar
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Is that in the top hundred by actual attacks committed, or just estimated by some politician to be worthy of using to scare people. Do you know how many terrorist attacks there have been on US soil between 1961 and 2003 ?
7
And several of those were cases of one man with a mission, which we normally call "criminals" not terrorists. So explain the top 100 terrorist targets please. You have way more attacks in schools than you do terrorist incidents.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/pubs/fs/5902.htm [state.gov]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school-related_attacks [wikipedia.org]
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
A friend of mine had his P38 (old military style) can opener taken off his keychain in the Bucks County Courthouse (PA)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
It's really no surprise at all that the security guard wouldn't let that pass. Especially as they're made of stamped aluminum and probably worth about .10 cents each.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
I don't know about new ones, but mine's from the 80's and is dull as can be. Still does a great job on cans. I've carried through airports and courthouses all over the US and Europe on my keychain, and it's never been a problem.
They're less than a buck, and a great thing to have on your keychain.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
The very least expensive can-opener possible is a P38 without the hinge. A fancy Fiskars version [myllymaki.fi], which is about 5 times more expensive than the usual non-fancy version.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
The least expensive can-opener is actually Chuck Norris's fist.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Interesting)
More than once I have asked "why do you have this rule or that" and gotten the response: "Because the boss must be on crack or something".
As for the cameras issue. That is legit. Not only do courts sometimes deal with cases where identities must be protected (I.e. It's bad enough little Sandy has to testify against her Daddy for molesting her, but putting her picture on the net would make it a whole lot worse) but there are other "institutions" that have vested interest in being photograph free. I.e. Many titty Bars ban Cams to protect the day jobs and church membership of part time strippers as well as the Senate seat of tonight's #1 tipper.
As for cam less devices. Nothing wrong with having a low end device. I.e. In a courtroom, You don't need a high frame rate or surround sound. Even my lowly old Dell Latitude D620 is overkill for legitimate courtroom usage.
Phones are a bigger problem. It's getting real hard to find phones with Email, 3G and WiFi without a built in Camera.
I'm shocked nobody has capitalized on this to release "Cam-less mods" for those Blackberrys where the cam can be hidden and crippled by changing the user removable back panel for one without the lens opening.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
As for the cameras issue. That is legit. Not only do courts sometimes deal with cases where identities must be protected (I.e. It's bad enough little Sandy has to testify against her Daddy for molesting her, but putting her picture on the net would make it a whole lot worse) but there are other "institutions" that have vested interest in being photograph free. I.e. Many titty Bars ban Cams to protect the day jobs and church membership of part time strippers as well as the Senate seat of tonight's #1 tipper.
The ability to effectively enforce a ban on cameras is something that's only possible for the current relative sliver of history. What are those organizations going to do when technology allows virtually anyone to covertly record what they see through their eyes (organic or cybernetic)? They should start thinking about that now, because in the not-too-distant future they will have no choice but to allow it.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
What are those organizations going to do when technology allows virtually anyone to covertly record what they see through their eyes (organic or cybernetic)? They should start thinking about that now, because in the not-too-distant future they will have no choice but to allow it.
Blindfolds are cheap, they'll need foil linings to avoid people have IR (or other non-visible spectrum receiver) eyes though.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The a third party "repair" sites that specialize in removing cameras from phones, such as the iPhone. (Your warranty is removed along with the camera).
These guys do a pretty good business around military bases where high value assets are located, such as most Navy Bases and some Air Force bases. You often can not have a cell phone with a camera on such bases, (especially if you are a civilian employee/contractor).
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
It wasn't Google, it was Microsoft.
It wasn't a satellite, it was an Airplane.
It wasn't secret info any more, and hadn't been for several years.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=ryqjpf4s57kc&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=10352732&encType=1 [live.com]
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Or better yet, get a piece of trim tape that matches closely to the color of the laptop bezel. Cut it to match and look stock.
When asked, say "If I ordered one with a camera, that's where it would go" If you use an automotive class trim or striping tape it will not easily come off or peel at the edges.
it's very VERY easy to outwit $12.00 an hour security.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
This isn't about outwitting security. That's the easy part. The real problem is if you get caught in a high security facility with a camera, it's your job and probably worse. If you add to that the fact that you were actively trying to hide it (with "automotive class trim") you might be accused of espionage.
Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:3, Informative)
A camera is something that can take photos, not something with some parts that could have made a camera. So:
a) pierce the lens if you really want to be crazy, screwing up some nice camera innards. This is relatively risky.
b) Sand the lens and surrounding area a bit.
c) Get some good 2 part epoxy and apply over the camera.
Voila, you no longer have a camera.
Obviously they won't warranty YOUR CAMERA, but you don't have to open it up. If you skip step a, you're not even 'breaking' anything... but if b/c is ri
Re:Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Funny)
Morning, I'd like to introduce you to Mr Warranty.
Oh, you two have already met and broken up.
OK then forget I ever spoke.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
> There's no way a rational person will accuse you of trying to sneak in a camera.
We are talking about a security guard.
You know, the same guy that use to beat you up in 10th grade just because he could. The guy that couldn't pass the police physical or the written test.
Getting caught (by what ever means) with a camera you KNEW was there, AND one that you tried to hide can cost you big time. Your Job. Your security clearance. Maybe a couple years of your freedom.
Telling them you read it on SlashDot won
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3)
I have a 1/4 inch drill bit that can disable any camera in any device in minutes, and I think that any security guard would be able to see that it would never work again.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:4, Interesting)
Ah, not, that's not true.
You can not tell a camera's electronics from a cell phone's electronics. None of this stuff can be distinguished on Xray. Even a cam embedded in a laptop can't be distinguished from the other electronics in the device.
They see your cell when you go thru the scanner (you put the phone in the basket before going thru).
They have been trained to look for cameras built into computer bezels (even tho 98% of them face the computer user, not the courtroom).
They do it with eyeballs, not Xrays.
Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:5, Insightful)
I've just cruised through this list of netbooks [amazon.com] over at Amazon. It returned just over 5,000 results and I can't find one without a camera. I'll keep looking but this leads me to believe that you may just need to look at a regular laptop. And the wait is probably going to exist otherwise because you are obviously looking for something that is just outside the norm for these.
This discussion [c0t0d0s0.org] from last September didn't turn up anything, except the Mini 9 - which you already mention. Though they do bring up one option that I think is the best bet; to open up the case, yank the camera and fill in the spot where it went. It can't be that hard. If some guy can fit an LCD behind the apple logo [slashdot.org] - you can get the camera out.
The phone issue I find being brought up going back to 2005 and it's probably older - this seemed to offer hope [yahoo.com] and mentions a few models but it's old and I'm not sure how stuff would have carried forward. Most stuff I find mentions Blackberry which you already have. So my guess is that there is no treasure trove of camera free devices that you have missed. You are just in a tough spot.
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Removing it yourself won't work, since it can't be "certified."
Drill out the camera with a 1/4" drill bit. Then when the security guy points out the camera hole, SHOVE A PENCIL THROUGH IT!
Most webcams are on their own circuit board above the display. If you wanted to save it, to put back in later, you could remove the board, then drill out the case.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
They probably just couldn't get behind the LCD to disconnect the camera at the source. That's as far as I got disassembling the unibody too. If you're willing to cut the cable you can keep Wi-Fi and just lose camara + bluetooth.
If anyone knows how to access the hidden screws in the unibody LCD, please let me know. I'm guessing that a special tool is involved.
Get an OQO (Score:5, Informative)
Get an OQO. Fits in a pocket, full windows xp/vista. Mobile broadband built right in. Extended batteries for hours of use.
http://www.oqo.com/ [oqo.com]
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:5, Informative)
I don't know what both you and the original question asker are talking about.
I just went onto Dell's website and looked at the first range of laptops that I would ever consider for myself and NONE of the models have webcams? Why?
Because I selected 'Enterprise / Corporate' on the first page and not 'Home - give-me-all-your-crap-that-only-the-children-would-use'. :)
Come to think of it, I've only ever owned one laptop with a webcam, that that was back in the day (>5 years ago) when the only way to get a decent 3d card in a laptop was to go for the home models, since then none of my laptops have them simply because when I buy a laptop I want one designed to work, not look good, etc.
See:
Dell Examples [dell.com]
HP Examples [hp.com]
BTW, pretty much any business model laptop will include a model without webcam, for the exact reason raised by the original questioner.
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:5, Funny)
Don't worry, I'll do it for you!
thinkpad (Score:2, Informative)
check out the T400 or the T61 if they still sell it.
Re: (Score:2)
dude.. (Score:5, Insightful)
The answer is simple. Break the camera device. It won't break your computer or portable. . it will break the camera.
Make it so it is obvious when you point it out.
Re:dude.. (Score:5, Informative)
A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...
Re:dude.. (Score:5, Funny)
Make a sticker with Certified by and Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law on it. Scribble a name and date on it.
Re:dude.. (Score:5, Interesting)
Reminds me of when I worked for the Saskatchewan government. Every piece of hardware has a "Property of GOS" sticker on it, with an item # and barcode. The various people (Crown prosecutors, etc.) who needed to disable the camera on their provided phone/blackberry/etc. would simply have that sticker over the camera lens.
Re:dude.. (Score:4, Insightful)
A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...
Except, on the off chance that they do find out it's still functional, he could be in trouble. Since he clearly has no interest in ever using the camera, it would seem like painting over the lense with black paint would be the easiest way to convincingly break it.
Re:dude.. (Score:5, Funny)
I always just cover it with my thumb when I open the lid to show them that there's no camera. It's foolproof!
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
On my first day, I was issued a Macbook Pro with a disabled camera, and a sticker adjacent to the lens reading "this camera has been physically disabled per [companyname] policy."
Simple, really. (Score:2)
A glob of two part epoxy over the lense should do the trick for you.
(Someone else asked about black berrys)
On a crack-berry, if you don't WANT to read the emails
when you take it out of the hoslster (like, to answer
the PHONE), drill out the magnet in the holster.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Drilling out the magnet will prevent it from going to sleep when you stick it in there, fyi. Bad for the battery life.
These places should do what others do (Score:5, Informative)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
Many high security establishments, both government and commercial, realize that they can't stop technology without serious concessions. What some do are to put a special tamper-proof tag over the camera. Then they just inspect the tag when you exit and, if tampered, confiscate the device until it can be validated.
What good would confiscating the device after the fact do? If these are really "high security" establishments as you say, wouldn't they be concerned that you might "tamper" with the tag, use the camera to photograph or record video of sensitive materials or discussions, then encrypt and transmit said photos or videos to a far-off website, all before leaving the establishment? Confiscating the device at that point would be like closing the barn door after the horses escaped.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
True high-security environments are designed against RF leakage, although as the poster states, such environments wouldn't allow a camera in to begin with. Actually they usually prohibit cell phones of any type, so it's all moot. It's sort of overkill, because there's nothing to keep people from remembering what they see, and if they work there they probably see quite a lot. Such schisms are typical of government though.. place armed guards at the entrance who will let you in with a dollar bill wrapped a
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
Places that need really good security tend to have it provided by Marines. ;)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
One would think. I used to work at a major defense contractor that dealt with nuclear materials. There was a five foot high fence around the facility and I knew people who had jumped it (without triggering a security alert) when they had forgotten their badges. Oh, and cars used to get stolen out of the "secure" parking lot on a regular basis.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
The problem that I see is that these kinds of devices are pretty obvious about containing a camera. I'm sure a dedicated microcamera using the same kind of module and some compact electronics could be better concealed than an iPhone or a notebook computer. I think one can be easily made that's about the size of a dinner mint with inexpensive and mostly off the shelf parts, if you don't require a screen.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
If it's a true high-security environment, it's a tin-foil building. Good luck transmitting through that.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
When you're in a truly secure environment, it's the only way to be sure. On the other hand, I was working on a base once, and after several trips through the security checkpoint, the guards got annoyed and just slapped an "Unclassified" sticker on my laptop.
Just read specs - plenty of items out there (Score:2)
I attend several film festivals each year, which include several world premieres and advanced screenings. Some of those festivals can be pretty picky about even camera phones.
I guess I don't understand the original question. There's no secret website where all the items lack cameras, but almost every site lists a full spec for their products, including the presence (or lack of) camera. There is a market for those that don't want cameras, so devices exist and will continue to exist.
Instead of an iPhone, I
keep digging, Watson (Score:3, Interesting)
Choosing an option without a webcam isn't why you had to wait for your Mini 9. When I ordered one (64GB HDD, Ubuntu, 2GB of RAM, no webcam) I got it inside of a week. Chances are the reason you had to wait was because you chose a common configuration that everybody else was ordering.
You could also look at a larger screen size of a notebook. Again with Dells, you can quite easily specify no webcam option. It's actually a charged upgrade for them to get the webcam. I'm fairly sure that other manufacturers can also sell you a notebook without a webcam, but HP doesn't sell a consumer laptop with Linux preinstalled. :)
Remove it yourself (Score:2)
If it is that important to you, then "remove" it yourself. Probably the easiest thing to do is to find a thin sheet of plastic the same color as the case and epoxy and small piece of it over the camera. This pretty much permanently disables it and doesn't overly mess up the look of the machine.
Drill (Score:2, Insightful)
A drill with a 1/4" bit will surely remove the offending camera from the device and, if done properly, will convince even the $7/hr guards while leaving the device operable. YMMV.
If you don't mind used... (Score:2)
You can normally find them with their docking station for about 400 on eBay. It's a great little machine.
No kidding... (Score:4, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
I've never been to a strip club that didn't allow phones w/cameras. Taking pictures is another issue, but good luck getting a worthwhile picture without flash photography anyway. (No pun intended).
but there's no way to order a MacBook without (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Software disabling is *not* enough in these situations, as they anything that can be turned off with software can be turned back on with software
This has been a problem for quite some time, however, there are some places that are normally camera-averse that don't have the same restrictions on laptops with cameras. (it's a bit more obvious if you're trying to take a picture in a courtroom with a laptop camera, whereas a phone based camera can be more easily palmed
In other cases, the limitations may be based
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Just re-read the grandparent post. Apple authorized technician can remove iSight, Bluetooth, etc as needed so you can order your favorite Mac and make it security-compliant.
This may sound stupid, but why wait? (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm pretty sure that will convince folks that you don't have a camera installed.
The Nate
Re: (Score:2)
military solution (Score:5, Informative)
The US govt bought some macbooks without cameras. I don't know if Apple removed them before selling to them, or if they had a 3rd party doing the removal process. What I DO know is they were manufactured with the cameras in them, and removed after production and packaging.
Re:military solution (Score:5, Informative)
drill it (Score:2)
Same way it's usually cheaper and much easier to buy a PC with Windows, delete it and install Ubuntu than try to find a manufacturer to supply it for you out of the box.
Re: (Score:2)
This will get interesting (Score:5, Interesting)
There's someone who's implanting a camera to replace a glass eye. With the singularity and associated transhumanism, this will get more complicated.
Re:This will get interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
Spray Paint and Super Glue (Score:3, Informative)
I have a similar working situation. Here, we petitioned to be allowed to bring in devices with cameras. The seriously non-technical solution we arrived at is to spray paint over the lens with the color of the case, let it dry, then superglue a piece of clear plastic over the spray paint. The judges approved of it (and did it with their own devices) and security was notified to be aware of this modification.
The only issue? Warranty. The solution? Letter from the judge and from the head of security stating why the procedure was necessary, that to their knowledge the manufacturer of the product has no alternatives without cameras, and to please perform a warranty repair on all portions of the device except the camera. Several of us have taken our devices for repairs. Dell cried like a little girl, but was finally convinced. Apple said no problem, but the camera is not covered. Sony said piss off and die. So, your mileage may vary.
Nevertheless, it works, and a curious security guard just has to pry at it to realize it is not coming off.
My sympathies (Score:2)
I had to go through that a few years ago. Lenovo sells a number of laptops without cameras, so look at what they have. As for phones, that can be even harder.
Last time I had to buy a phone like that it took me half an hour to get it through rep's at Verizon's head that I wasn't looking for a cheap prepay phone..... When all was said and done I had a choice of three phones in the store, and had to settle for a floor display for an out of production phone.
$12/hour security guard (Score:5, Insightful)
> Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera.
It also would not convince me.
Ever try the oldest trick in the book? (Score:2)
> Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera.
It also would not convince me.
Outside of a Federal Building, I'm guessing that most places visited have the same $12/hour Security Guard that is more window dressing than anything. "Uh, I left it in my car" in response to "do you have a cell phone?" works more often than not, sad to say.(not that I condone bending the truth or anything...)
Thinkpad, for one (Score:2)
The (not low end) thinkpad I got a few months ago had the camera as an option. A brief look at other brands would probably reveal the same thing. Hell, you could just ask the other people working there what they use.
If you love apple too much to lower youself to using a wintel machine, why not get an old mac? The recent macbooks/ibooks may be camera-free. I know that the Pismo (powerbook g3 400/500) series is great, and can run OSX10.4 (haven't tried 10.5, sorry).
Hot soldering iron tip through the lens (Score:2)
Hot soldering iron tip through the lens. I've heard that works; I've no real experience with it.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
So yes I believe that covering the camera with tape might be acceptable, stupid as that may seem.
Re:I'm amazed at how many say "Put some tape over (Score:5, Funny)
The feds do not appreciate people who think they can half-ass security measures
I know! They get really threatened by people who try to outdo them at their own job.
Lenovo x200s? (Score:2)
I finally did not buy it, but i considered it. I seems to have no camera.
Thinkpads! (Score:3, Informative)
Silly question (Score:5, Interesting)
This is a silly question.
For the Mac, take it to the Apple store, and ask a tech to open the case. He can remove the camera, control board, etc, etc....
For most PC laptops, the same can be done by any retailer with a tech on site.
For the phones, it may be a little harder to get an authorized tech to open it. You may have to ask the store who is a local authorized repair tech.
If you're not worried about the warranty, do it your self. It's not very hard. If you do it carefully, you can replace the camera later, and if you have to return it for warranty work, they won't be able to tell.
In any of those cases, I recommend keeping the removed parts, should you want to replace them later.
Another option may be to "decorate" the case. Home Depot sells glue backed foil for sealing air conditioning ducts. No, not "duct tape", it's foil tape. Some have written marks, and some don't. I'd go with the unmarked ones. Carefully line the edges of your display with the foil, so it doesn't look ugly. Voila, no camera.
Or option 3.. Bust out the camera with a drill or punch, and fill the hole with a dummy plug or epoxy.
Since you're in a real security environment, I'd go with options 1 or 3. Option 2 can open you up to liability. Since the camera still exists, you're just hiding it, you could in theory uncover it, use it, and then cover it again before you leave the facility.
I used to work in a few pseudo-secure facilities. Their rules were that no recording devices of any sort were allowed on the premises. They were datacenters, so the most I could really get was a picture of what other providers were using. Really, that could prove embarrassing if say I came out of an Equinix facility, showing that the IBM enterprise eBusiness managed hosting service was just a mess of desktops and rackmount machines, badly cabled, in partially filled racks at best. Since they advertise that they have their own facilities, even knowing that they are simply a few cabinets in a cage buried in an Equinix facility would be embarrassing.
I've seen quite a few "enterprise" providers, who run on a few desktop machines jammed into a cabinet. Then again, I've seen even more "enterprise" providers with beautiful setups. It's funny, their customers never get to see the real setup, but a tech who is there to work for another company gets the full view. :)
Anyways, I used to carry cameras, my cell with a camera, or whatever I wanted in. It was a simple matter of burying it so deep in my laptop bag that the security guards wouldn't want to dig through all of it. In the same environments, they require property passes to remove equipment. If you have enough stuff moving, you can move extra stuff too. I've accidentally removed more than the pass showed. It wasn't intentional, it's just that we overlooked a piece, and noticed when we cross-checked the list later. It would have been a lot harder to walk in, and then walk out with just one piece of undocumented equipment.
I've had the same happen with the TSA. They want to search, so I tell them "Go ahead, but you have to put it back like you found it." They unzipper a few compartments, see that they're jammed with cables for various purposes (I come prepared), and then just wipe it down so they can do their attempt at detecting explosives.
On the TSA explosives testing (as I digress)... A friend was driving me to the airport to catch a flight back home. We had already arranged with another friend to go to a local shooting range. I burnt off several hundred rounds of 9mm, .45 ACP and 12 Gauge, which means I handled plenty of ammunition and the residue was all over my hands, arms, face, and clothes. I also handled my carry on (obviously). I didn't really think about i
Mobile phone cameras (Score:4, Interesting)
I think the #1 reason its so hard to find a phone with no camera is that the carriers would rather you bought one with a camera (since they can up sell stuff to go with that camera)
I cant believe that there isn't enough demand for camera phones from consumers for manufacturers to continue to include cameras (being that cameras have a non-zero cost)
Cameras were banned at my last job (Score:5, Funny)
Cameras were banned at my last job. In fact I had to sign several different layers of paperwork saying I wouldn't bring in any cameras, storage devices, blah blah blah.
What was the first thing they issued me?
A cell phone with a camera in it.
Same problem/Different Technology (Score:4, Interesting)
Needless to say, productivity went way down.
I work in the Court system (Score:4, Informative)
Each court is different. You have to know your court.
First, if you are an attorney, or go to court regularly as a non-court employee (attorney's assistant, expert witness, etc), then you should have at least one non-camera phone. If you can, try getting a phone you can just pop a SIM chip into and out of easily. (Dunno how well that works in the US -- my US carrier was always Verizon, no SIMs.) Or just go Blackberry (that's what I have, and for that reason).
Second, if you have a reason for needing your laptop this should not be a problem. The prohibition against camera's is not a universal and absolute prohibition.
If you're an attorney, speak with the judge for your case. Using a Macbook/MBP as part of your trial is fine. Explain to him your situation, explain to him any added measures you will take to cover the camera (such as tape), and he will let you take it through. (If he does not, well, you're an attorney -- I shouldn't have to tell you how to fix it.)
If you're not an attorney, but are working for/helping one, then speak with the attorney who is your main contact. Explain the situation and offer multiple ways in which the court may be appeased (such as tape over the camera).
If the judge knows who has the cameras and something then gets out, there will be no problem. The full wrath of the court can be directed at you for breaching the court's trust.
If you truly think you NEED the laptop while in court for something other than the case, why? Either you work there, and then you simply need to ask your supervisor/employer for permission, or you don't and there's no reason for you to be chilling in the courthouse browsing the internets and Twittering with Ashton. (And if you're media -- seriously? No excuse for that, either.)
As for other non-judicial sensitive areas, you're on your own. If I ran a security team at a secure business location, I'd likely not even allow in mobiles to begin with. Regardless, your rights are much more limited in private situations.
Of course, you could always use the advice of some Slashdotters here. First, since Windows is a pain, either get an Apple service center to remove the camera (or get a Linux machine with no camera). Second, go Windows with no camera.
Oh, and as for the Dell Mini 9 -- if you are truly an Apple guy, and you get one of these, you better Hackintosh it. I did mine, and it's fantastic.
Good luck, and have fun.
- Pacer
Let an Apple tech physically disable the camera (Score:5, Informative)
FYI: A similar action can be taken for hand held devices such as an Apple iPhone.
BTW: You can still use an external camera/microphone for services such as iChat on a MacBook where the built in devices have been removed. When permitted, plugging in an external camera/microphone will temporarily restore such capability. Moreover, by physically removing such external devices when they are not in use, you can better control them. :-)
So buy your MacBook, have a Apple Certified technician remove the offending components, and if needed get a letter of volatility. Q.E.D.
Talk to security (Score:4, Insightful)
Since it seems you've investigated the technical side of the problem do a little leg work on the human side. Talk to one of the security guards and find out who they report to since ultimately that is who your solution must be agreeable to. Explain the situation and ask what measures would be necessary to take in a device with a disabled camera. You can look at possibly using a case, skin or just a sticker that would obscure the camera just make sure that whoever the security guards report to OKs it.
Then the next obstacle is getting the guards to understand that it has been OKd. Assuming that there is probably a small number of guards that you'll deal with get to know them and preemptively bring the subject up to them, show them the steps you've done to disable the use of the camera and let them know you've talked to their boss about it.
Be prepared for them to still balk at the idea and have equipment around that you can use if they wont let the disabled camera pass. Hopefully at this point they will ask their superior about it and he will verify that he gave his OK and next time you'll be able to take your better toys in with you.
Just keep in mind that the security guards are just trying to do their job to the best of their ability. Things that will draw their attention and almost assuredly lead to your and your disabled camera being turned away/confiscated are any attempts to sneak something past them and any attitude at all if they ask about it. And by all means never wait until discovery/discussion of the device would interrupt court proceedings as that is just a good way to piss of a judge and get yourself found in contempt.
Re: (Score:3)
A cheap camera on a cellphone actually is a good thing. It's a camera that won't be in the bottom of the glove box with dead batteries (or, in earlier days, expired film) when you need it (e.g. after an accident, or when corrupt cops are putting some minority "in his place.")
It's really quite a shame that certain environments need to restrict their presence.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
The T60s [ibm.com] and T61s [ibm.com] still ship without cameras.
Re: (Score:3)