I think if commercial use were allowed, the number of drones buzzing around would skyrocket. Every event, from sports to news, would have a dozen different drones flying around looking for that perfect shot. That presents the safety concerns. Some of these quadcopters aren't exactly small and could hurt a few folks if dropped into a crowd.

Although I'm sure it's really just a money issue at the heart of it. There should just be a mechanism to register drones for flights just like they do with helicopters, blimps, etc. I think some of the footage you could get from them would be really cool to see on the news.

No. Drone does not imply autonomous flight.

It's becoming more common, although slowly. I have a C&P from my US bank. Reading through the thread here, there appear to be several other banks that issue the cards upon request, too.

The card I was issued from my bank does not allow the PIN to be changed. It could be because they don't have physical branches/ATMs anywhere, though. Maybe if this catches on a lot more, you'll be able to change it at any ATM.

If someone steals your card, deactivate your card.

Sure, but in the meantime, the PIN prevents the card from being used since the thief doesn't know what it is. It also prevents the card from being cloned (assuming that's possible) and used elsewhere even though you have your card in your wallet. It's the whole "something you have" and "something you know" security model.

With the terminals, the bank issues you a challenge code based on the transaction and you use the terminal, card and PIN to generate a response that validates your the authorised card holder. It's worked pretty well the few times I've bought someone online with it.

I agree the Visa and MC programs are a pain. They come up so infrequently that I never remember what the password is. Plus with varying rules as to what constitutes an acceptable password, I can't even count on it using a password I'm familiar with.

If implemented like in Europe,though, you only have to remember the PIN. Which you use everywhere, so that's not an issue. There's a challenge-response part of the online purchase that generates a code to confirm you have possession of the card and know the PIN to validate the transaction. Yes, everyone has to have the little card reader available. I've only made a few online purchases with my European card, but they've all been that way so far.

Do you have any links to chip & pin flaws? The one I saw I thought allowed you to enter any PIN and have it return as valid, so the transaction would be charged. You had to have a programmable card hooked up to a laptop and a valid card, I think. Doable with a jacket and backpack, but not quite clone & go. Curious what else is out there.

Yes, you'd have to have the card reader if everyone implements a challenge/response type system like in Europe. I have one at work and keep one at home. When I travel I throw one in the bag just in case. You get used to it.

Online sales use a challenge-response system to ensure you have the card and know the PIN. You don't enter the PIN into any website, though, just the little card reader. The challenge-response system is run by the bank, I think. You're redirected there as a part of the sale to verify. Kind of like the Verified by Visa thing, but instead of just entering a password, you do the whole challenge-response thing with your card and reader.

This is how it's done in Europe, at least.

In POS systems, the PIN never leaves the card reader, so it's can't be stored to be stolen later.

I've opened it up for cleaning once or twice. No issues... instructions found online were pretty easy to follow.

I was going to say the IBM Thinkpads, too. Like any computer, they eventually get old and underpowered compared to the new stuff, but they keep chugging. Mine is from 05, I think right after Lenovo bought 'em, but it's still the IBM version. One key is missing, case is cracked and there are a few grey pixels, but it still works (typing this on it now). Made it through deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, too.

Is that "long lasting" or is it sad that 9-10 years out of a laptop is considered long?

First, why would you have an ex as a friend on FB, still? Second, why would YOU choose to share your location with them?

Put aside the hate for a second and realise this is done right... or at least closer to right. It's opt-in, which solves the first problem most people have. Second, you specifically choose who you want to share with. It's not everyone by default. Yes, yes... you have to tell FB where you're at first. If you have a problem with that, you're probably not on FB, anyhow, so who cares?

I could see this being useful with the group of work friends I have. We all have families, so our plans are usually with them first. If we decided to go downtown, it'd be nice to see if someone else decided to do down, also. Our commissary/store is an hour away and everyone usually makes a trip down there every other weekend or so. Sometimes you run into them, sometimes you don't. Again, it'd be cool to get a little notice that someone is down there at the same time so we can bullshit in the foodcourt while the wives shop.

IIRC, there was a special $40 upgrade from Win7 when Win8 first came out. $35, $40, something like that. I upgraded one of my laptops since it was so cheap.

This. Cook with what's good to drink. Same goes for wine, I hear, but I don't really drink it that much.

I use Westvleteren when cooking, which should annoy any beer snobs out there. :)