Where To Start With DIY Home Security? 825
secretrobotron writes "I'm a recent university graduate from a co-op system which has kept me on the move every other semester, so I've never really had a permanent place to live, and I've never had the opportunity (or the capital) to buy expensive things. Now that I'm working, those restrictions on my life are gone and I'm living in an apartment with things I don't want stolen. I would love to build a DIY home security system, but I don't even know where to start since Google searches reveal things like diysecurityforum.com, which help only to an extent for a curious newcomer. Has anybody out there successfully built a home security system on a budget? If so, where did you start?" Related query: When similar questions have come up before, many readers have recommended Linux-based Zoneminder (last updated more than a year ago); is that still the state of the art?
a gun (Score:5, Funny)
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
If violence didn't work, it's because you didn't use enough of it!
What do you have (Score:4, Funny)
So...
What are you going to buy that is worth stealing?
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
and if that doesn't work: more gun.
Any chance you are from Texas?
The solution (Score:3, Funny)
A moat and a drawbridge.
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
A sticker on your door with the weapon of choice and a message saying "We don't call 911"
Need more info (Score:4, Funny)
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
"Screw a dog..."
Umm. I think you want 4chan.
Re:Choose a place to live where there is no crime (Score:2, Funny)
I left my Mercedes unlocked on a Friday after work, came back on Monday morning and was surprised to find it unlocked.
Nobody locked it for you? Bastards!
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, come to think of it, a well-trained dog is probably one of your better security options.
Indeed ... especially if he's well-trained enough to use a gun.
Dogs and Guns (Score:5, Funny)
German Shepherds, and a 12-gauge shotgun. You can probably use the gun for other things, like killing noisy turkeys, and the dog will make an excellent addition to your family and/or good way to attract chicks if you take it for the occasional walk in the park (although, if the dog is out with you, its not home watching the house. Maybe get two and have them work on shifts).
Re:What do you have (Score:5, Funny)
He's going to have a kickass security system that he doesn't want thieves to break in and steal.
Re:a gun (Score:4, Funny)
or nukes from orbit, just to be sure.
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, come to think of it, a well-trained dog is probably one of your better security options.
Since when is an option that requires me to handle dog excrement on a daily basis a 'better' option?
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Indeed ... especially if he's well-trained enough to use a gun.
Naw, just train the dog to chew off the toes of thieves . . . http://idle.slashdot.org/story/10/08/04/1547221/Dog-Eats-Mans-Toe-and-Saves-His-Life#commentlisting [slashdot.org]
Get size 14-16 work boots from second hand store- (Score:2, Funny)
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monst (Score:5, Funny)
Dogs are useful and all, but bear ..
I totally agree. A bear is much better than even several dogs. Even in the case of several intruders, while the dogs could tackle them both simultaneously, the bear makes short work of even the largest thug.
Appropriate signage: (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Solution (Score:3, Funny)
When an intruder enters the area of protection, it automatically begins barking like an angry dog. From outside, it sounds like you have a very unfriendly dog inside.
Re:Risk Management (Score:1, Funny)
@Step 4
Wow that is one weird fantasy you have going there!
I would have gone for two hot blondes breaking in myself.. but I guess different things for different folks. (j/k)
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
"No honey, it's a potato gun, not a bong."
"What do you need it for?"
"It's for protection. You want me to protect you, right?"
"How does it work?"
"You shove a potato in there and then some bolts and screws, and then fire it at the bad guy."
"What if the bad guy has a REAL gun?"
"Look honey, I made one for you too."
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
I carry a gun because a cop was too heavy!
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Actually, come to think of it, a well-trained dog is probably one of your better security options.
A well-trained dog would be good, but I reckon having an un-house-trained dog would deter most unwelcome visitors.
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
"Dude... people can get past a dog. Nobody fucks with a lion."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seQsqfwd0ts&feature=related [youtube.com]
Re:There is a Linux Home Security Project (Score:3, Funny)
http://www.linuxhomesecurity.com/ [linuxhomesecurity.com] All the surveillance is based on MythTV. Seems open source friendly.
A bunch of tabs for future "support" on that website I see... I really hate to be that guy but it reminds me of this: xkcd [xkcd.com]
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Stops handling it for christ's sake, and put it in the bin.
Re:a gun (Score:5, Funny)
And if that's not true you just need to apply it more.
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
No, no. He said "The U.S. doesn't have fun at mentally lower rates of buglary". Americans just love the sound of brass instruments - life's just no fun without them.
Re:Sure... (Score:5, Funny)
time travel
time travel? Now that's going to require a lot of explosives!
Re:Sure... (Score:3, Funny)
I think your key ingredient might be time travel
Customer: I gotta get these pills to my girlfriend.. four months ago.
Einstein Express. When it absolutely, positively, has to be there the day before yesterday. [jt.org]
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Re:a gun (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, most burglars are too lazy to think that far ahead.
I mean, it takes a lot of effort to come up with a plan bee.
Armor (Score:2, Funny)
Here's a simple, proven technique for damage mitigation: A steel plate covering your entertainment center (or a workbench or whatever piece of furniture contains your most valuable stuff). Attach it with 3 bolts, and hide a wrench in a convenient spot. But here's the key to this technique: WELD a few dozen additional bolt heads onto the plate. You can remove the armor in just a few seconds when you come home, but the burglar, not knowing the scheme, will quickly run out of patience.
At a shop building which had been suffering from weekly burglaries, despite all manner of locks and alarms, this technique instantly and permanently stopped the losses.
Re:Risk Management (Score:3, Funny)
Speaking of risk management, if you're preparing for that eventuality I hope you've also got an anti-nuke shield and a space alien laser weapon detection system because I'm pretty sure both are more likely than your scenario.