Project 25 Phase 2 is a system used nationwide, which requires both an expensive scanner and technical expertise to program it. Any government agency seeking to completely block the public out of communications should be suspect. If NYPD wants to prevent the public from knowing what they're doing, my first question would be - what are they planning to do that they don't want the public to know about?

There aren't any ANPR or traffic cameras in my town. When I want to be anonymous online, I use an offshore VPN service. You can buy cheap prepaid phones for cash at the corner store... Anyone sufficiently motivated and mentally prepared to remain anonymous can do so.

No, most paintball guns are not full auto because most paintball fields prohibit them. Players get around it by installing special trigger and hopper systems that allow them to achieve high rates of fire.

I used to play paintball all the time. Full auto is frowned upon because it takes the fun out of the game for those who can't afford such toys (which is most everyone...full auto paintball guns are expensive)

The stated purpose was to cause strain on the system and require human intervention. I have my doubts that the software developers will give up because of a dress. Maybe she raises awareness, maybe she doesn't...I have my doubts that sheep are aware of (or capable of being interested in) the intentions of she shepherd.

You shouldn't have an expectation of privacy while in public. This is why clothing isn't optional while in public places.

Most of those cameras are mounted on traffic lights - for all the world to see. To make them weather proof, they end up in large mounts in clusters on tall poles and on overpasses. It's a safe bet that if the road has more than 1 traffic light, or it's a freeway or highway - it's got a camera.

You're welcome.

Cameras aren't hard to find, the ones connected to the ALPR systems anyway.

I sit at my desk streaming something while I work. Headphones, or speakers on my desk - that jack is in use. And why take it away? It's a technology that has been around for decades and can be used for more than just audio out.

The real reason - they want to save a few pennies on board manufacturing costs and have an excuse to sell you a $30 dongle to replace the headphone jack they just took away from you.

Let us assume that this becomes a fashion trend and everyone starts wearing dresses with license plates on them...

They'll upgrade the software to recognize vehicles first - then look for license plates on them. This chick didn't do anything heroic, she actually helped the system get better. It will cost more in hardware - but that was coming anyway.....the budget included enough money to implement the ALPR system, and they don't want to lose that budget - now they'll pay more for better hardware to run the more intensive software that ignores dresses.

If you don't want to be tracked, don't go places that track you. While you're at it, turn off your phone, and get off the internet. You're being tracked - and that isn't going away any time soon.

Bump stocks suck. They destroy your accuracy and waste ammunition. Unlike actual automatic fire control systems, they require the shooter to give up a solid point of contact (shoulder) in order to operate.

Nobody lost anything of value. Some idiots lost a toy that had no value.

maybe it cues people to laugh at jokes they don't really understand because they'd rather fit in than appear to be ignorant of the joke.

It sounds like an interesting experiment.

Same here. Microsoft isn't just late to the party, the party is over.

It's almost like I haven't been getting notifications from my phone in Linux for years. I can even reply to text messages without touching the phone.

has a whole new meaning when they can also cut you off from your money.

Did they forget to consult with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Robert Francis O'Rourke? They already predicted the world would end in 12 and 10 years respectively.

To "don't be evil"?

Grammar doesn't fend off coyote, wild hogs or bobcats in my part of the country. I have livestock to protect.

Tacticool is something city folk do. Here in the sticks, they're tools to do a job.