Those Internet-controlled Christmas Lights? A hoax

Grok Headline matches for Those Internet-controlled Christmas Lights? A hoax

The Web Controlled Christmas Light Hoax

The Web Controlled Christmas Light Hoax 12/27/2004 07:35 PM
A few weeks ago, when we had our story about Christmas lights causing problems with broadband connections, apparently Alek Komarnitsky stopped by here at Techdirt to tell everyone in the comments that he had set up his 17,000 Christmas lights so they could be turned on and off via the web. I had forgotten about this until earlier this morning when a friend instant messaged me to tell me he's become addicted to the site and had been turning the lights on and off regularly. Well, it turns out my friend was taken in by a practical joke. The lights were real but the we b-cam and web-based control were a hoax that's now getting a bit of press attention. What's interesting, though, is that from the details it sounds like the hoax was more technically complicated than actually setting up a system to really do what he claimed it would do. Still, it's somewhat amazing that no one figured it out until now.

Designer: Christmas Lights on Web a Hoax
(AP)

Designer: Christmas Lights on Web a Hoax
(AP) 12/28/2004 01:11 PM
AP - A man who boasted to reporters around the world that his Web site allowed strangers to turn his outdoor Christmas lights off and on admitted Monday it was an elaborate hoax designed, he said, to spread holiday cheer.

Too many Christmas lights?

Too many Christmas lights? 12/10/2003 07:56 PM
Is there such a thing as too many Christmas lights? I love seeing lavish displays of lights at Christmas time. Some folks like a few old-fashioned Christmas lights and some like to deck the halls in a blaze of glory (this one boasts 700,000 lights). And how much does it cost to run a fabulous display?

Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com!

Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com! 12/25/2003 08:07 AM
UGLY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS. COM .. and then you have these

uglychristmaslights.com
track this site | 5 links

"Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com!"

"Welcome to Ugly Christmas Lights.com!" 12/26/2003 09:03 AM

Alek's Christmas Lights: Humbug

Alek's Christmas Lights: Humbug 12/27/2004 07:21 PM

Christmas Light Switch A Web Hoax

Christmas Light Switch A Web Hoax 12/29/2004 08:07 AM
CBS News Dec 29 2004 11:34AM GMT

""Alex Komarnitsky claimed that his
17,000 Christmas lights "

""Alex Komarnitsky claimed that his
17,000 Christmas lights " 12/29/2004 11:34 AM

Christmas lights indicate a strong
economy? (Also dubious)

Christmas lights indicate a strong
economy? (Also dubious) 12/20/2003 06:23 AM
this article by Virginia Postrel .. more» .. WRITES

reason.com/hod/vp121903.shtml
track this site | 4 links

Man admits Christmas lights Web site
scam

Man admits Christmas lights Web site
scam 12/29/2004 11:38 AM

"Alex Komarnitsky claimed that his
17,000 Christmas lights

"Alex Komarnitsky claimed that his
17,000 Christmas lights 12/28/2004 03:30 AM
it was all a hoax

thedenverchannel.com/holidays/4027215/detail.html
track this site | 4 links

Colorado man admits Christmas lights
website was a scam Online casino strikes
again, buying naughty

Colorado man admits Christmas lights
website was a scam Online casino strikes
again, buying naughty 12/28/2004 07:39 AM
Cnews.canoe.ca - Tue Dec 28, 11:21 am GMT

Scriptable, Internet-controlled sex toys

Scriptable, Internet-controlled sex toys 06/24/2004 04:37 PM
I filed this story for Wired News today about one of the more interesting gadget demonstrations at this weekend's Erotica LA porn industry convention: remote-control, "scriptable" sex toys. Adult entertainment providers will soon sell celebrity-branded "scripts" for the devices (think: Jenna Jameson, Tera Patrick, Ron Jeremy, and the like), which work like mobile phone ringtones but -- well-- then again, kinda different.

Using a two-way video, audio and text chat interface, expo attendees were invited to control Doc Johnson-branded iVibe pleasure devices being put to use by models at an undisclosed location, in various states of undress.

"The device control works both ways -- the person on each end controls the speed and rhythm of the device the other is using," explained High Joy President Amir Vatan, as one attendee cranked his remote partner's iVibe to warp-speed intensity. The Internet-enabled products will become publicly available before the end of 2004, and will later be integrated into an assortment of Web porn destinations.

"It's the ultimate in site stickiness," said Vatan. "For online adult providers, more interactivity means more traffic, and more traffic means more revenue."

Link

Portis out? No. Just an Internet hoax

Portis out? No. Just an Internet hoax 09/11/2004 07:06 AM
Charlotte.com - Sat Sep 11, 10:11 am GMT

US beheading is an internet hoax

US beheading is an internet hoax 08/07/2004 12:11 PM
Al Jazeera Aug 7 2004 3:34PM GMT

Kentucky professor wants to set up
Internet-controlled telescope

Kentucky professor wants to set up
Internet-controlled telescope 08/21/2004 03:06 PM
Canadian Press Aug 21 2004 6:29PM GMT

Uefa wants fans of Internet ticket hoax:
report

Uefa wants fans of Internet ticket hoax:
report 01/04/2004 01:08 PM
Straits Times Jan 4 2004 12:41PM ET

Internet Video of American's Beheading
Found to be Hoax

Internet Video of American's Beheading
Found to be Hoax 08/08/2004 12:25 PM
PolitInfo.com Aug 8 2004 3:30PM GMT

China Unicom to open 3,000 Internet
cafes in tightly controlled industry
(AFP)

China Unicom to open 3,000 Internet
cafes in tightly controlled industry
(AFP) 09/13/2004 08:39 AM
AFP - China Unicom, the nation's second-largest mobile phone carrier, plans to open up to 3,000 Internet cafes by the end of the year, state media said.

Cabaero: Christmas songs on Internet

Cabaero: Christmas songs on Internet 12/20/2003 09:44 PM
Sun Star Network Dec 20 2003 7:41PM ET

Christmas draws record Internet traffic

Christmas draws record Internet traffic 12/30/2003 10:55 AM
ZDNet UK Dec 30 2003 9:13AM ET

Internet traffic hits record Christmas
levels

Internet traffic hits record Christmas
levels 12/28/2004 12:50 PM
Irish Independent Dec 28 2004 4:49PM GMT

NY1 News: Yahoo! Sets Up Christmas Tree
With Internet Receiver

NY1 News: Yahoo! Sets Up Christmas Tree
With Internet Receiver 12/02/2003 01:53 AM

ny1.com/ny/TopStories/SubTopic/index.html?topicintid=1&subtopicinti d=1&contentintid=35122
track this site | 10 links

passing up an opportunity to go home for
Christmas, so that his colleague could
spend Christmas with his wife and child

passing up an opportunity to go home for
Christmas, so that his colleague could
spend Christmas with his wife and child 12/21/2003 08:35 AM
offers to stay there .. Home News Tribune .. feel good story

thnt.com/thnt/story/0,21282,871918,00.html
track this site | 4 links

Boxing clever How small internet firms
boost sales at Christmas

Boxing clever How small internet firms
boost sales at Christmas 12/18/2003 05:46 AM
BBC Dec 18 2003 4:53AM ET

IM use must be controlled

IM use must be controlled 08/21/2004 03:25 AM
Personal Computer World Aug 21 2004 6:51AM GMT

Want Your Own Web Controlled Satellite?

Want Your Own Web Controlled Satellite? 11/19/2003 04:36 PM
We've had plenty of articles about the idea of "space tourism" and how many think it has huge potential, but there's still a long way to go before that becomes reasonable for more than just a very small number of people. However, one company, SpaceDev is looking at a middle step between what we've got now and real space tourism. They're using eBay to offer you your very own chance to own a web-controlled satellite. That's right. For just a few spare million dollars you have lying around, you can own a mostly useless satellite. But, you can show off to your friends by logging into it via a web browser and pointing it at their homes. That's gotta be worth the money. The company is also pitching it to people who then want to resell control time on their satellites. Certainly seems like a long shot, but you should never underestimate the desires of people with large egos and even larger wallets.

Controlled explosions on car

Controlled explosions on car 09/16/2004 01:42 AM
A number of controlled explosions are carried out on a suspect car in north Belfast.

remote controlled

remote controlled 03/09/2004 01:25 AM
Well, we've had the TiVo for a bit shy of a month now, and although the number of shows that we've watched has increased, the amount of time spent in front of the b00b t00b hasn't increased all that much.

Controlled by electrodes

Controlled by electrodes 12/10/2003 12:48 PM
Researchers at NTT have figured out how to control a person's posture and sense of balance by placing electrode patches behind the ears that deliver...

What Is A Controlled Vocabulary?

What Is A Controlled Vocabulary? 12/17/2002 04:33 AM

Lights? Not quite

Lights? Not quite 12/28/2004 09:09 AM
USA Today Dec 28 2004 1:19PM GMT

Remote Controlled PIC of Doom

Remote Controlled PIC of Doom 12/03/2003 09:47 AM
A recent Freshmeat.net release announcement describes the Remote Controlled PIC of Doom (rcpod). Rcpod is a collection of code developed by Micah Dowty for accessing Microchip PIC16C745 and PIC16C765 microcontrollers via USB. The code allows control of various I/O functions including GPIO, PWM, sync/async serial, and RS-485. The package also inlcudes related PCB layouts. The software has obvious uses for robotics, or you could use it to monitor the temperature in your bedroom. Rcpod includes firmware for the PICs as well as libraries designed for Linux and other POSIX systems. All the source is Free Software licensed under the GNU LGPL.

Remote-Controlled Flies

Remote-Controlled Flies 04/11/2005 08:21 PM

All About Facets & Controlled
Vocabularies

All About Facets & Controlled
Vocabularies 12/10/2002 05:50 AM

A Voice-Controlled TV Remote

A Voice-Controlled TV Remote 04/03/2005 07:59 PM

Robot Controlled By 3G Phone

Robot Controlled By 3G Phone 04/20/2004 03:29 AM
3G Apr 20 2004 7:17AM GMT

"USB Controlled, LED Lit, Disco Floor!"

"USB Controlled, LED Lit, Disco Floor!" 04/14/2005 04:50 AM

Tongue-controlled Game-Boy

Tongue-controlled Game-Boy 05/19/2004 05:47 PM
The Tongue-Boy SP is a tongue-based controller for use with the GameBoy targetted at people with quadroplegia.

The NewAbilities Systems TTK or Tongue Touch Wireless Keyboard Transmitter looks like an orthodontic retainer with nine membrane buttons

We add a new jack for the Tongue Boy SP TTK receiver input. We also add a second micro-controller computer chip inside the case to decode the TTK signals from the receiver and activate the Game Boy SP buttons.

Link (via /.)
Grok Description matches for Those Internet-controlled Christmas Lights? A hoax
GrokA matches for Those Internet-controlled Christmas Lights? A hoax

Mobile penetration in the Middle East
varies enormously from country to
country

Mobile penetration in the Middle East
varies enormously from country to
country 06/16/2004 03:37 AM
Research and Markets have announced the addition of the ‘Middle East Mobile Communications 2004’ report to their offering. [PRWEB Jun 16, 2004]

Search the Internet country by country

Search the Internet country by country 09/21/2004 04:26 PM
Bangkok Post Sep 21 2004 7:50PM GMT

Country-by-country results

Country-by-country results 06/14/2004 03:46 AM

I'm a little bit country?

I'm a little bit country? 02/01/2005 08:42 PM

On Saturday I attended MaxItOut, a local charity event inspired by a 4-year old bacterial meningitis survivor whose parents are friends of mine. Bradbury Software was among the event's sponsors, which led to an almost surreal experience.

The fundraiser featured performances by country music stars, and the logos of each sponsor were projected onto a screen during the entire concert. For me, it was, well, very unusual to see the "TopStyle" and "FeedDemon" logos appear behind Keith Urban, Faith Hill and Wynonna as they played.

For the record, I've never been a huge country music fan, but I'm so glad that I attended the event and offered a small contribution through my sponsorship. Well over a quarter of a million dollars was raised for meningitis research, and nobody left that night without being touched by the dedication of parents whose children are affected by the disease.

Where is this country headed?

Where is this country headed? 06/12/2004 09:23 AM
Is U.S. like Germany of the '30s?

Cocaine Country

Cocaine Country 07/02/2004 03:00 AM
Cocaine Country, Sights & Sounds. An 8 minute Flash movie from National Geographic's story, Cocaine Country, by Carlos Villalón, about cocaine in Colombia and what the crop means to the people. [Via TalkLeft.]

Country corn

Country corn 07/23/2004 08:06 AM
Grilled, boiled, roasted, sure ... but fried? A Kentucky barbecue joint offers a twist on a summer favorite, corn on the cob.

Do It for Your Country (Reuters)

Do It for Your Country (Reuters) 05/11/2004 10:50 AM
Reuters - Australian couples owe it to their country to have more children and should get on with the job, the nation's treasurer said on Tuesday.

Around The Country Without Gasoline

Around The Country Without Gasoline 07/30/2004 03:48 PM

Love your country

Love your country 05/06/2004 08:35 AM
With Jack White's help, Loretta Lynn has released a country music album even godless rock 'n' rollers can embrace.

On living in an old country

On living in an old country 04/16/2004 06:19 AM
Derelict London. A gently melancholy collection of photographs of abandoned shops, hospitals, housing estates, public lavatories, and much more. See also Britannia Moribundia, on the national obsession with dinginess and decay. This is where England most truly excels: in all the characterful shabbiness of its drizzled parks, soiled launderettes, frayed tailors, abject chemists .. and cowed solitary cafes.

"Defending their country"

"Defending their country" 08/11/2004 11:56 AM
Two Britons born in Iraq explain their reasons for joining the insurgents loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr.

Segwaying Across the Country

Segwaying Across the Country 09/01/2004 05:51 AM
Bidding his desk job goodbye, a web designer is taking his Segway scooter on a cross-country trek from Seattle to Boston. Friends are documenting the 10-mile-per-hour trip along the way. By Rachel Metz.

Can The US Can Spammers Outside The
Country?

Can The US Can Spammers Outside The
Country? 04/30/2004 12:16 PM
It turns out that not only did the feds charge some American spammers under CAN SPAM this week, but they also went after some Australian spammers as well. The article is unclear, but it sounds like they're not using CAN SPAM for the complaint against the Australian spammers, but are instead going after them for fraudulent advertising. Still, it does raise the question about how far the arms of US law can reach in going after spammers. I imagine it's not so difficult to go after Australian spammers, since the two countries are closely aligned and are likely to cooperate. However, as spammers migrate to less closely allied countries, will the feds be able to do anything?

Country festival

Country festival 10/28/2003 11:09 PM
Last weekend I went to a country festival in Seljord, Norway. It was a bit Hellbilly. Anyway, check out the...

Country Roads

Country Roads 10/29/2003 12:10 AM

2.2km – Van, speeding, being tailgated by a second. Both are passed by a third.

4.9km – Houses.

5.7km – Guy pulled over to take a whiz on the side of the road.

7.1km – White Peugeot flipped over the night before.

10.3km – Four gendarmes in a small marked car, just tooling around.

13.5km – Same hunter with same shotgun leans against same van, waiting.

15.0km – Old man, bicycle, cap, sweater vest, baguette, the full deal.

16.3km – Tall balding Canadian in sensible Passat wagon (the car’s name is Bob) ponders the logic behind burning a CD on which ‘Straight Outta Compton’ is followed by ‘Sk8er Boi’, then remembers something he said years ago that was completely dickheaded, then winces, then decides that it makes more sense that the first thing you see after clicking the Pages tab is the Default layout in editable form, rather than a list, because ninety nine times out of a hundred that’s what you’re going for anyway.

19.9 km – Guy pulled over to take a whiz on the side of the road.

Hoax --> Operation Take one for the
Country

Hoax --> Operation Take one for the
Country 04/29/2004 01:32 PM
Following up on this earlier BoingBoing post, BoingBoing reader buddha says:

Single Southern Guy calls out the Operation Take One For The Country crew, claiming the whole thing is a hoax. Why? The radio station, DJs, and broadcast company involved in the interview transcribed on the OTOFTC site don't exist.

Link

* Nearly 40% of the country is online,
new report says

* Nearly 40% of the country is online,
new report says 06/11/2004 05:00 AM
Taipeitimes.com - Fri Jun 11, 08:30 am GMT

Tiscali to flog four country ops

Tiscali to flog four country ops 05/14/2004 06:06 AM
Ciao

The cult that's running the country

The cult that's running the country 05/03/2004 08:15 AM
Joseph Wilson blasts the secretive neoconservative cabal that plunged America into a disastrous war, in this excerpt from his new book.

" Back Country Conservative"

" Back Country Conservative" 06/19/2004 04:26 PM

U.S. Spews More Spam Than Any Other
Country

U.S. Spews More Spam Than Any Other
Country 12/27/2004 11:56 PM
Information Week Dec 28 2004 3:27AM GMT

Canada, the Polite Country

Canada, the Polite Country 09/17/2004 12:10 PM
Prime Minister Paul Martin swore on live television yesterday, apparently frustrated with the progress of a meeting with the provincial ministers over the future of Canada's straining health care system. During a break in the proceedings, Martin's aunt telephoned him and threatened to wash his mouth out with soap for using the Lord's name in vain. When the meeting resumed, Martin apologized to the nation.

Country profile: Vietnam

Country profile: Vietnam 08/06/2004 12:53 AM
News.bbc.co.uk - Thu Aug 5, 03:21 pm GMT

A Country Boy on Vacation: Question #1

A Country Boy on Vacation: Question #1 08/04/2004 10:00 AM
Torrential rain last night. So, why didn't it kill all the mosquitos? The drops were bigger than the little bloodsucking nanocopters, the air was just about filled with rain, mosquitos are basically defenseless, so why didn't the downpour clear the earth of the scourge? Why oh why oh why?...

Suspect 'spotted' across country

Suspect 'spotted' across country 07/23/2004 12:57 PM
Murder suspect Mark Hobson has been "sighted" across the country since the manhunt began, police say.

Country profile: The Maldives

Country profile: The Maldives 07/21/2004 01:08 AM
News.bbc.co.uk - Tue Jul 20, 05:37 pm GMT

Country Profile Resources

Country Profile Resources 07/02/2004 06:47 AM
Country Profiles

The following is a listing of country profile resources that is taken from International Trade Resources 2004-05 Internet MiniGuide.

ABCnews.com - Country Profiles
h ttp://abcnews.go.com/sections/world/DailyNews/geography.html

Altapedia-Online
http://www.atlapedia.com/

BBC News - Country Profiles
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/country_prof iles/default.stm

CIA - The World Factbook
http:/ /www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

European Platform for Conflict Prevention and Transformation
http:/ /www.euconflict.org/euconflict/sfp/counsurv_f.html

Incore - Internet Country Guides
http://www.incore.u lst.ac.uk/cds/countries/

Infoplease - Countries of the World
http://www.infoplease. com/countries.html

International Business and Law Factbook - Country Profiles
http://www.ibl .com/worldinfo/indexfld.html#Intro

Library of Congress - Country Studies
http://memory.loc.gov/ frd/cs/cshome.html

Library of Congress - Portals to the World
http://www.loc .gov/rr/international/portals.html

Reliefweb - Background by Country
http://wwww.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/vBkC?OpenView&Start=117
UN - InfoNation
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/infonation/e_infonation.htm

US State Department- Background Notes
http://www.state.gov /www/background_notes/

WHO Statistical Information System
http://www.who.int/whosis/

Yahoo - Country Profiles
http:/ /dir.yahoo.com/Science/Geography/Country_Profiles/

Thinking of moving to another country?

Thinking of moving to another country? 12/27/2004 03:46 PM
Are you a blue state American who has the blues? Think Bush is Hitler, and want to burn your American passport ASAP to escape the New American Police State? You sense a disturbance in your aura while sitting in the lotus position meditating upon your healing crystals? Here's a few countries for you to think about: Panama, Costa Rica, and Canada.

Those Internet-controlled Christmas Lights? A hoax