Element 14 Holding Orders Based On US Government Watch List! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 12:42:07 pm
content: http://www.eevblog.com/2014/02/24/element-14-holding-orders-based-on-us-government-watch-list/

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 12:48:40 pm
content: Just change your name to Berk Obarmy and you should be OK. The probability is that you are the David Jones on the US government watch list due to EEVblog comments. It would not supprise me if all members on the blog are watched.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 12:50:59 pm
content: Truly appalling, I'm ashamed almost daily to be associated with such BS as an American.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:05:41 pm
content: Hi,It is well known in the intelligence community that the uCurrent records video, phone conversations and email traffic and sends in it by satellite uplink to some covert government agencies.Jay_Diddy_B

author: adnc
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:08:13 pm
content: what about people carrying names like "Ahmet", "Hasan", "Mehmet" or "Mohamed"?

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:09:17 pm
content: It's probably part of all theFive Eyesbullshit ...I hope the UK gets out of the EU soon, I don't think having an US state in the EU makes sense.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:12:26 pm
content: Just use a different name, like Joan Daves or something like that and you're fineOn a more serious side though, if it were me I would ask the US embassy about this.If you ever want to travel to the US and you're grounded at the airport when arriving and sent back that is pretty expensive to find out.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:18:27 pm
content: One of the large organisation here started to use new American software a few months ago. It also blocks accounts with names which appear on the NSA watch list. It took them about a month to realise what the problem was!

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:21:09 pm
content: yeah like like that ' the crazy Aussie bloke'i wonder if it because you called yanks out on security theatreor maybe you back to future t shirtsseriously though do these buggers have their heads up their arses is it common practise for customers of electronic component disturbers to check against watch lists seems more panic and fearmongering to me.

author: nihilism
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:21:57 pm
content: Davy Jones. They think you're a pirate.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:31:28 pm
content: Let's hope that old scoundrel "Goods in" doesn't get in the list...

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:37:18 pm
content: Quote from: Kjelt on February 24, 2014, 01:12:26 pmThey would likely stonewall him. The US government doesn't tell even its own citizens whether they are or are not on some watchlist. I doubt they would even bother to reply to a non-citizen.This is just one recent high-profile case:http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/02/07/she-got-on-the-no-fly-list-because-the-fbi-checked-the-wrong-box/This watchlist craze is just absurd (it is not like a future underpants bomber goes to buy parts on Digikey, with his real name and address!) and private companies getting into it should be publicly shamed.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 01:59:34 pm
content: Quote from: nihilism on February 24, 2014, 01:21:57 pmMaybe they think he's that guy from "The Monkees." That radical, hippy band from the 60s.(I hope at least one person is old enough and remembers them to understand how silly that is)

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 02:15:09 pm
content: Yes, I remember.And don't forget Mr Bowie's real name.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 03:20:01 pm
content: Quote from: Excavatoree on February 24, 2014, 01:59:34 pma guy at work started wearing a woolen ski cap every day to work (we did have some heating problems during our winter) and I started calling him 'nesmith'. he didn't get the joke, sigh; and I had to explain it to him.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 03:43:14 pm
content: It is starting to get ridiculous. I mean in the 21 century we start to build COCOM list again, this time against individuals. And it is really troubling, that Farnell does that.Not so long ago I've tried to order a MOSFET driver from digi-key. There was like 5000 on stock. Logged in on the local site, there was 0. How come? They dont export it to EU (to a f* NATO country) because military applications. I ended up using the same driver, but it had TTL inputs instead CMOS or vice-versa. That was not military stuff.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:33:45 pm
content: It's rediculas the us government has far far far far far too much power, they should get ther fat noses out of other people's business, not that dave did anything wrong, if they want to be popular then they should not do this.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:38:16 pm
content: want to be popular?are you talking about school girls or countries, here?the rich and poweful don't need to be popular. they have power. that's much better.but again, this is not a US phenomenon. I refuse to travel to the UK due to THEIR nanny-state policies. there are more cameras watching brits (per sq unit of space) than anywhere else. and its infectious; other countries are picking up on this and doing essentially the same thing.fear is catchy and rule by fear is a hard-to-resist thing for those who want easy control of the population.it sucks that america has gone down this path, but its not exclusive to the US by any stretch.

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:40:27 pm
content: What makes you think the "David Jones" on the list wasn't referring to you?Open source hardware? Environmentalism? A publication to reach the masses? "I’m too honest and outspoken for my own good."?Yup... I think I know which David Jones is on their list....

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:43:50 pm
content: The thing is you are much safer traveling here than the US as your not likely to be stopped by border control like I was for no apparent reason, I also hated the the way the police and security treat everyone it's enough to put anyone of coming to your so called "great" country, you feel much more secure here than in the us where you fear the police and security.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:44:50 pm
content: Quote from: CaptnYellowShirt on February 24, 2014, 04:40:27 pmThere are probably a million dave jones'

author: KarlosVandango
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:50:47 pm
content: I've had similar ball-aches when I've bought stuff from the States... And that was just bearings and a few digi-key components... The hassle I went through to get those parts! Never heard of WMD (weapons of mass destruction) that use 6502 bearings, resistors, some TTL logic a few MOSFETS and some LED's!!The UK bends over happily for the US every-time, I can never understand why... And then UK government allows the US to spy on UK companies... And GCHQ quite happily spies on everybody within the country... A nanny state? More like a dictatorship disguised! And ehe damned EU is a complete and utter waste of time effort and money and introducing barmy and pointless laws that nobody in any other country takes any notice of apart from out soft-in-the-head government... What has happened to the UK??

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:52:03 pm
content: That's interesting, they are still using one of those old 3270 systems, probably with an expensive IBM mainframe system somewhere. I thought they were all replaced by cheap standard Unix systems and web browser interfaces by now.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 04:56:53 pm
content: Quote from: KarlosVandango on February 24, 2014, 04:50:47 pmA is not suppose to spy on A's citizens but not-A is ok. sed 's/A/B/g' and then it all makes sense.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 05:35:19 pm
content: Dave, are you sure you are not a frontman for the Iranian nuclear program? This may explain why the CIA fed you with faulty componentsSeriously, element 14 is an international company that operates also in the US. Claiming that 'but it's another subsidiary of us that sold it to suspect X' will not hold water. Element 14 should improve their procedures. Faster human review, having clearance on file, etc. With proper procedures they could make invisible to the customer.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 05:39:30 pm
content: Invisible to the customer? I hope everyone slips up so we can all see where it is happening and put enough pressure to put an end to it so it's not happening at all.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 05:45:08 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on February 24, 2014, 05:35:19 pmthere is a new manufacturing requirement for electronic components: they all have tiny VLF receivers in them and if they detect the signal, they perform at their rated specs. only those in the US can receive the VLF signal and so this ensures that foreigners who use our good components outside of US territory won't get the same level of performance.go look it up!(lol. no, I'm not serious.)

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 05:54:38 pm
content: Quote from: linux-works on February 24, 2014, 05:45:08 pmAnd if you give the product a negative review then it puts you name on some sexrit list so when you go and order from element 14 it flags your name.

author: Laertes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 05:56:35 pm
content: A mate of mine works for a small(ish) company that does avionics, both civil and military equipment. He tells me that after 9/11 it was absolutely impossible for them to get any parts (you know, 0805 resistors and stuff, not military-grade MCUs or something) from any of the large vendors(Mouser, RS, Farnell, Digikey) with delays under 4-8 weeks, for industrial-grade ICs easily half a year or even more. They would have to sign specific waivers for EVERY part they ordered. EVERY TIME they ordered. In a NATO country(germany). In the end the company restructured into a civil mother company that has a purely civil subsidiary that would run all orders and then resell the equipment to the military sister company just to circumvent the ordering scrutiny. Because german military companies are so likely to develop WMDs for the Iraq. Crazy.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:01:44 pm
content: Quote from: Jay_Diddy_B on February 24, 2014, 01:05:41 pmThat new feature wasn't supposed to get out. uCurrent G.O.L.D. Government Overload Linear Dictation

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:08:48 pm
content: I have to confess, Saddam Hussein was innocent. It was me who ordered some parts from Digikey and filled in the wmd form in a certain way.

author: opablo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:14:56 pm
content: What were the "innocuous parts" ?What was the "innocuity level" (!?!?!? jaja) of the parts we are talking about ?resistors... microcontrollers... accelerometers... mems... geiger tubes ?

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:19:55 pm
content: The US and UK are not the only countries with secret services, China, Russia, France, Germany and Italy all have spy departments beavering away to unearth both political and industrial secrets.The US has always had a shoot first ask questions later policy, its just that since Geaorge Bush II was on the throne its also become a policy of shoot yourself in the foot first as well.

author: Rutger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:23:13 pm
content: I feel so much more safe no I know Dave Jones is on a watch list...Dave must be really desperate for parts to order from element 14, their website sucks, so that gives me no confidence in the company.Also I asked to be removed from there email 'spam' list, but I still receive emails, whats up with that?

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:27:45 pm
content: yeah for the us government its guilty until proven innocent.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:32:25 pm
content: This thread is going to hose every "Dave Jones" for the next 50 years. I can hear the thousands of NSA and CIA guys clicking the "Hose this guy checkbox" from here (Canada).

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:35:21 pm
content: Quote from: opablo on February 24, 2014, 06:14:56 pmI think RTL and DTL logic is now safe to buy for anyone in the world.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:45:43 pm
content: worse yet: maybe you are looking for a job and you are on a secret 'no hire list'.this was done in the 1950's in the US. no reason to believe it can't happen again ;(

author: hikariuk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:46:42 pm
content: Wales is a well known hot bed of terrorists. At least I can't even begin to guess at how many people called Dave, David, or Dafydd Jones there are in Wales.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 06:54:30 pm
content: Well, it looks like there is a David Jones that discusses building drones with a guy named NorMohd Al Ariff Zakaria'shttp://diydrones.com/profile/DavidJones883This may trigger an interesting edge in the association graph.

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 07:21:58 pm
content: Quote from: sacherjj on February 24, 2014, 06:01:44 pmIsn't it Government Overlord's Listening Device?

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 07:38:57 pm
content: Quote from: hikariuk on February 24, 2014, 06:46:42 pmYes, I believe for every Dave Jones in Wales, there is at least 10 x as many John Smith's in England. Pretty sure that will be on a terrorist database too.

author: peter-h
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:00:35 pm
content: I live in the UK, and found Citibank blocking online payments on my account. I used to get an obscure numeric error message. After a long time, it got escalated to Level 2 (what a joke) support and they said my name was on a US Govt blacklist. I left them soon afterwards.

author: XynxNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:28:22 pm
content: Probably you got them scared by mailing µRuler leaking envelopes!

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:33:22 pm
content: you think the us govt is bad living in australia, you should try living here.the way those crooked fucks work, you should probably be putting osama binladen c/o al quida, and they would go right through.

author: timtesting
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:44:08 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on February 24, 2014, 06:19:55 pmLOL, yeah. we are taking a Don Knots approached to government these days!

author: erazmus
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 08:57:28 pm
content: As a Canadian, when ordering from Digikey, I have to check a box certifying that I'm not going to export these components outside of Canada. I'm not exactly sure what good this is going to do. Is the simple act of checking a box going to stop the export of critical bomb-making components out of country?

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:04:29 pm
content: those that would do Bad Things(tm) wouldn't dare lie on a web-based form, would they?how insane. how utterly stupid and insane.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:10:00 pm
content: Dave, just keep an eye out for vans like this

author: open loop
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:35:22 pm
content: What would be crazy is if we could not buy mentos and coke due to watch lists, just picture the science at Tescos or Wallmart (but you can buy real Guns at Wallmart in some states! With amo!)My therory...What would be interesting to find out (well actually very dull) is how these ordering systems work for an international company like Farnell. Just think of the following situation...Farnell/ element 14 buys 10000 resistors from vishay say..The route to get 10 of these resistors in the post to your door is ridiculously complicated fortunately its mostly automated through computers. There must be upwards of 40 transactions and steps needed just to get these parts. I know this from talking to friend who writes e commerce software as a job. Just think of tax laws, accountancy laws, stock control, kanban, purchasing, parts availability, currency conversions, shipping and billing addresses, customs etc then I think to trade with the USA you need to put some extra steps for accountancy etc ( I am an engineer not an accountant). And the software has to talk with an old computer based stock control systems that you inherited when buying a subsidiary company, this is precisely why these large companies use "obsolete" stock control software as it would be a very complicated and expensive job to update it. I reckon it would cost Farnell upwards of 20 million pounds just to do the upgrade.As for watch lists, given the above complexity where transactions bounce between a labarynth of computer systems I am not surprised. It just makes the customer feel that extra special ;-( not, so I totally understand why Dave was miffed when he found out as I would be.Companies are s#*t scared of being finned by their own government that export controls become a pain in the arse even for domestic customers! I think this is going to happen more and more...I have had experience of this kind of thing where I had to get an export licence to send a "tech support" email to Pakistan about equipment we stopped making 25 years ago. Yep.. you can contravene UK export controls by clicking send on any email where you give any technical information to the wrong company/organisation, even if they are in your own country! Just make sure you know who the end user is.As we all now know that Osama bin larden is now dead you could use that name.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:49:20 pm
content: Quote from: open loop on February 24, 2014, 10:35:22 pmthat's the most Sharking revelation I've heard all day.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:49:59 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on February 24, 2014, 10:10:00 pmIt is missing a way too big obvious parabola dish from the top.By the way, I've just seen a terrorist under my desk, he was sweeping the floor for the fallen 0603 resistors, which he could not order from farnell. The eagle is in the code ten, i repeat the eagle is in the code ten!

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:52:08 pm
content: Quote from: rollatorwieltje on February 24, 2014, 06:08:48 pmMy buddy Rumsfeld called. He wants to know where you hid the WMD's.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 10:55:52 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 24, 2014, 10:49:59 pmits a very common thing to name your wifi SSID 'fbi surveillance van'.it can't hurt, if you want to keep people from trying to connect to your AP

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 11:16:29 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 24, 2014, 10:49:59 pmThe dish is inside the van. The roof is fibreglass.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 11:18:16 pm
content: Quote from: CaptnYellowShirt on February 24, 2014, 10:52:08 pmOk, if he tells me what happened to the missing $2.3 Trillion dollars.

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2014, 11:27:54 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 24, 2014, 11:18:16 pmI asked, but I didn't get a reply... static on the line or something. I'm going to assume he was driving though a tunnel.

author: steves
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 12:05:56 am
content: These watch lists and whatever are so obviously ineffectual in their apparent purpose that one must assume that their real purpose is in keeping the fear of terrorism at the front of people's minds.The terrorists have already won IMO and the they didn't have to try hard, nor in many cases even exist.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 12:21:03 am
content: Quote from: steves on February 25, 2014, 12:05:56 amits the ones that don't exist that you have to watch out for. for their gains can be infinite.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 01:12:36 am
content: Quote from: CaptnYellowShirt on February 24, 2014, 11:27:54 pmAsk him if he is a reptilian, goodies start at 2 minute markOh Dave. Flying to US for Maker Faire doesnt sound all that hot nowI wonder when Chris starts getting his orders 'on hold'.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 01:18:41 am
content: Probably its too late for current generation, for those who live in countries that are Uncle Sam's puppies, do you still believe this will still there either getting worst or betterat next generation ?An example as Sagan for Dave ?

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 01:23:24 am
content: uncle sam's puppies.great name for a band!

author: OrangeJacketGuy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 01:50:44 am
content: How much grief would this forum get if I posted all of those PRISM keywords as a reply to this already monitored thread?

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 02:04:24 am
content: I found this link particularly interesting:http://people.howstuffworks.com/government-watch-list.htm

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 02:17:43 am
content: This whole thing reminds me of the Boston Legal episode where Denny Crane found out he couldn't fly because there was another Denny Crane on the US no-fly list and homeland securities computer system went by name only.Never thought real life would be that stupid.

author: OrangeJacketGuy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 02:21:51 am
content: I'll bet $5 that there's an Al Kaholik on that list.

author: Vernon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 02:59:58 am
content: Perhaps you were placed on the list for being suspected of identity theft?

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 06:24:40 am
content: Quote from: hammy on February 24, 2014, 06:12:38 pmMy son was "detained" for an hour or so at Bali Airport because he had the same name as a guy on a watch list.This particular bloke is not a terrorist but a common criminal---a very nasty one,though!.It took the Indonesians a little while to realise the "baddie" was an African-American,whereas my son is not!I found him on the Internet in 5 minutes!It seems that the list doesn't include any supporting documentation.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 06:30:19 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on February 25, 2014, 06:24:40 amWhich is the main advantage and sole purpose since it was created, so at any minutes or seconds, any interested parties without any hassle just can "update" the list if "needed", think about it.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 10:47:00 am
content: you haven't been buying Plutonium for doc brown again dave ?

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 12:23:48 pm
content: I just checked, you can orderhttp://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/magnetic-seperator-beneficiation-machine-magnetic-seperator_1222196566.htmlon alibaba. Hovewer, I cannot order fusion bombs, pure uranium or plutonium. That is a shame. I wonder if we can order fully equipped fighters or tanks, but I'm afraid to write it into google.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 12:33:15 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 25, 2014, 12:23:48 pmduckduckgo is your friend.also, VPNs can help.in fact, just run both.(and yes, I do. I rarely run my net connection with the VPN turned off, these days.)

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 12:43:48 pm
content: And to what are you VPN'ing?Free proxy? So you are giving some unknown guy the best place for a man-in-the-middle sniff/attack?Paid proxy in unregulated country? You are even paying him for the man-in-the-middle?Paid proxy in regulated country? Hah, as if that helps. Still logging you.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 03:06:42 pm
content: Well, I did not want to make my point that strong. But yes, how well do you trust your VPN hoster? Especially the free ones, what is their business model?I played with it, and am using VPN sometimes. But more because I do not want family snooping. Or I am abroad (often) and I do not want my Banks extra security popping up (so I have a server at home, and will appear to come through that). But I do not use VPN because I somehow thinks I can get 'of the grid' of the real powers.I do not agree with the sometimes given 'if you have nothing to hide...' argument, the privacy invasion is principally wrong. But it is what I have accepted. I am pretty sure they are not interested in me, so let them store and sort through my embarrassing browsing history if they must. I can't stop them anyway.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 08:34:43 pm
content: Quote from: cybermaus on February 25, 2014, 12:43:48 pmI'm vpn'ing to 'safe' and good countries in the EU and other places.I am 100% aware of the fact that my inbound 'calls' are logged at the ingress but I'm pretty sure that the exit traffic is NOT logged and I can create new sessions with new endpoints at will, even every few seconds if I really want to 'spray' my packets outwhat the vpn buys me is that its not back-traceable (at least not without a non-free price or effort and that's good enough for me).one down side to vpn is that a lot of services try to be 'smart' about who you are or where you are. example: if I login to mouser and I'm on a french vpn endpoint, they want to 'help me' by setting my language to french! I speak not a word of french but they don't carealso I've had orders that I place online CANCELLED when they see an inbound connect from a 'strange place' compared to where they think I should 'belong'. I ordered something once, got the confirm, paid for it and then an hour or 2 later, got a 'sorry, sale rejected, call customer service'. I did call and they were not sure what was wrong. they then asked me 'are you on vacation now?'. (laugh). I see what their problem wasgoogle also wants to change my language. when I login to the techshop (love the place, btw; just joined a few weeks ago) and I look at their reservation calendar, its in another language since its google based (sigh) and google 'thinks' I am in holland or germany or something. if I close the vpn and source from my 'home' IP, the menus and widgets come back in english again. highly annoying.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 08:39:05 pm
content: looks like hack-a-day is covering this topic:http://hackaday.com/2014/02/25/us-government-screws-up-terrorist-watchlist-few-surprised/

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 08:42:48 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on February 25, 2014, 02:45:22 pmfully agreed and understood.none of us can easily (or effectively) hide from the powerful nsa. that's not my goal.my goal is to keep my comms anonymous to -everyone else-. that's easily do-able. no one else has the power of the nsa or the three letter agencies. but comcast, pacbell, time warner (etc) - those are easily worked around and their 'deep packet inspection' can be foiled with simple end to end encryption - such as what a vpn provides.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 09:35:55 pm
content: Quote from: linux-works on February 25, 2014, 08:39:05 pmSeems everyone is covering it, including conspiricy theory central infowars.comPeople just love this sort of stuff!Either way it's turning out pretty embarrassing for Element 14 who haven't responded yet. The longer it takes them I suspect the more people will think that "proves" the story about the list being the governments is true.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 09:38:29 pm
content: sunshine is the best disinfectant.or, so they say.shining light on this absurdity might help. so I'm glad its being covered far and wide.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 09:53:00 pm
content: Of course the really scary thing is that the people who are supposedly in charge of security are such bumbling dickheads that they think stuff like this achieves anything useful.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 11:12:40 pm
content: For those who thought this was a joke or they were mistaken, no it's real, the Element 14 MD has confirmed it.It's called restricted party screening apparently:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_Party

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2014, 11:19:35 pm
content: well, its like the old python song: "every schottky is sacred. every schottky is great. if even one goes missing, the DHS gets quite irate!"

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 12:30:18 am
content: So what was the trouble with Flir E8 stuck in customs again Dave? Seems like the dots are starting to connect

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 01:09:59 am
content: Quote from: Rasz on February 26, 2014, 12:30:18 amNope, that was just the usual $1000 customs limit.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 01:17:22 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 25, 2014, 11:12:40 pmSounds really serious Dave, will this affect other parties like Digikey, Mouser etc ?Or your other main page American sponsors ?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 01:24:26 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on February 26, 2014, 01:17:22 amNope, no one cares, business as usual.

author: synapsis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 01:33:36 am
content: Quote from: erazmus on February 24, 2014, 08:57:28 pmI have to do this when buying direct from Texas Instruments. And I live inside the US.Of course I'm in Arizona... where you can get stopped for driving while Mexican, denied goods because you're gay, etc... I got questioned (in Spanish a couple of times) no less than 6 times one day while taking panoramic photos too close to the border fence.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:45:01 am
content: EEVblog LAB INTERNET SHUTDOWN BECAUSE DAVE TOLD THE TRUTHhttps://twitter.com/eevblog/status/438502467236405248https://twitter.com/eevblog/status/438507198797185024QuoteNSA installed special tracking and interception just for Dave.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 04:04:45 am
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on February 26, 2014, 03:45:01 amGreat news !!!Now Dave can permanently terminate his iffy daily backup of the eevblog web site & forum, it will be secured & well maintained at NSA's storage.

author: CaptnYellowShirt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:01:54 am
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on February 25, 2014, 12:23:48 pmIn the US, you can own and operate nearly fully operational fighter jets. Among a short list of other rules -- making it legal for import -- the weapon hard points have to be "disabled" (an ATF rule, if I'm remembering correctly).But here's the catch... what disabled means is kind of left up to the owner's interpretation. Some people think it means removal, but other people think it means safety-wiring the weapon-free switch over to the 'safe' position.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:18:32 am
content: So in the US you can own a personal jet fighter. In Canada our military's version of an aircraft carrier is a rowboat with a chunk of plywood on top. The biggest military decision in the country is which coast to put the tank on.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:47:12 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on February 26, 2014, 06:18:32 amWhen did we get a tank ??

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 06:53:59 am
content: Around the same time we got the 3 used submarines with the leaks.

author: kodi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 08:17:08 am
content: Day as everyday.yaaawn... Open the project files, search for parts. Read mail. Oh, Maxim has something new. Interesting. Let's order a sample! Oh, Zero Gecko back in stock at DigiKey. Nice. Hmmm... Got email from Maxim "please prove you are not donkey or other camel with beard on this two pages A4 form and have it confirmed by the official". Huh? For line driver? Got an email from DigiKey - similar, but just one page A4. Scratch the head. Why do they need docs for STK, when MCUs were sent no problem. Next two days - try to resolve the issues, project on hold. Guys from DigiKey were nice and finally they confirmed, that in my case I'm purchasing it for myself (the STK, that is) I can be all of the required three persons, signatures which are required. Cheers, guys. Wait... So what was the purpose of this exercise again?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 08:39:29 am
content: Quote from: CaptnYellowShirt on February 26, 2014, 06:01:54 amI believe you can do that in Oz too. Gary Johnston who owns Jaycar Electronics once famously (maybe still does) had a part share in an F4 Phantom he flew on weekends.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 09:38:51 am
content: Hmmm, 7 pages about the insane US govt watch list bullshit, and so far no obvious paid shills defending the US Govt.I don't think the NSA/GCHQ are getting their money's worth from these guys:http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140224/17054826340/new-snowden-doc-reveals-how-gchqnsa-use-internet-to-manipulate-deceive-destroy-reputations.shtmlI mean seriously. The taxpayers have a right to expect government employees to do a better job of making anyone criticizing the government, look like crazy people.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 12:28:05 pm
content: It's the no-buy list for you, AcHmed.(Is there a tongue-in-cheek emoticon? I hope no one thinks I'm being serious.)

author: JoeO
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 12:36:35 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on February 26, 2014, 11:02:28 amCheney has been out of office for 5 years. It is Obama killing American soldiers and innocent civilians in Iraqistan.

author: CrosseyeJack
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 02:10:18 pm
content: My first and last order from Element 14 was for my first Raspberry Pi.Ordered the thing, got everything I've had from other companies, got a delivery date and waited for my Pi. And Waited, And Waited. About a week after my delivery date I contacted them to see when and how they had shipped it as it might of got lost in the post/mis-delivered (I often get post and deliveries for another address) and only then found out that the order was put on hold for some reason.I Didn't dig into it too much as I was pissed because they hadn't contacted me over the issue I just told them to cancel the order and refund me and I popped over to RS to order my Pi.My RS order kept me informed all the way and my pie came in a Raspberry Coloured moulded plastic case 2 days before the expected delivery date. Since then I've got my bulk orders from RS and not even bothered to look at Element 14/Farnell.

author: (In)Sanity
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 02:21:39 pm
content: As a US Citizen who's ancestry goes back to the crew of the Mayflower I have to say what a disgrace the US has become lately. Yes I understand the need for all this ludicrous security surrounding Pez dispensers and plastic spoons, but seriously they need to work more on public relations and not pissing people off all the time. Their was a time when the US was one of the most respected countries in the world, anymore with all the new policies it's become the country not to trust. The sad part is even within the government it's a tiny minority that has created all this drama.On an upbeat note their is a place not too far from me there you can catch a ride in a Mig-29. Go figured, soviet era jet the US use to compete with now owned by a private US citizen.Jeff

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 02:29:12 pm
content: Ah, good old cold war. We knew who our enemy, and he was far away.except for McCarthy era of course. Or Beria's reign. Oh fuck, its of all ages..... only the technology changes.

author: FrankBuss
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 02:46:58 pm
content: Quote from: CrosseyeJack on February 26, 2014, 02:10:18 pmI never have a problem when I order from Farnell/Germany. Order in the morning, delivery next day guaranteed, if it is in stock in one of their warehouses in Germany or UK. But they don't have as much parts as Digikey and usually more expensive.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:34:35 pm
content: and now, even the brand new soylent news is carrying this:http://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=14/02/26/0323217(soylent is a fork of slashdot, started just a week ago when the slash beta came out and people wanted to do a mass exodus from slashdot.)wonder how many news agg's have picked up on this story.dave, you're famous now

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 03:37:00 pm
content: Quote from: AcHmed99 on February 26, 2014, 01:42:27 pmWho are 'us'?

author: hikariuk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2014, 07:57:05 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on February 25, 2014, 09:53:00 pmThat depends what they're trying to achieve. If what they're trying to achieve is maintaining an illusion of protective action, then they're probably succeeding. At least to the vast majority who don't actually like to think too hard.

author: Rod___
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 27, 2014, 02:11:02 pm
content: Interesting, presumably Farnell and Newark do the same thing!! What about RScomponents (or Radio Spares as I remember them)?It really is a bad thing when long established UK companies are dictated to by the United States of Paranoia

author: ales22
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 10:20:49 pm
content: I'm not sure if I sould laugh or cry over this:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2556586/Reach-sky-Overzealous-Heathrow-security-officials-confiscate-Toy-Story-cowboy-Woody-DOLLS-miniature-gun.htmlParanoia is horrible disease.

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 06:22:56 am
content: So, would you cry over the absurd confiscation of the gun...or over the fact that Woody normally does not even feature a gun. He has a holster, but not a gun, him not having a gun falling into the same PC-ness like re-CGI-ing agents in the ET movie with walkie-talkies.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 07:03:07 am
content: Quote from: cybermaus on March 02, 2014, 06:22:56 amIf Woody doesn't normally have a gun,the concern may have been more over what the gun was made of,rather than the fact itwasa "gun".Various things made of untreated wood,for instance,are commonly confiscated due to the possibility of devastating plant diseases.The dear old Daily Mail was never one to spoil a good story with facts,so I doubt if they did any serious research on the matter.Woody probably lacks a gun so that smaller kids don't choke on it.Plenty of toy soldiers still have guns,but they are usually moulded in one piece with the soldier.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 07:19:53 am
content: I really miss quality reporting. Where is bat boy when we need him most?

author: hikariuk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 08:36:49 am
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on March 02, 2014, 07:03:07 amThing is the character Woody in the films just never had a gun, he always had an empty holster. You can make up whatever in-setting reason you want for why that is; it's quite possible the character Andy lost it years ago (I mean that's what happened to most of my toys with fiddly bits). It could be the in-setting character never had a gun either - there's certainly precedent for a character who doesn't carry a gun in westerns.The real world reason quite possibly was that Pixar didn't want him to have a gun; it seems quite possible it was to avoid the possibility of choking hazards. The old school green molded soldiers in the films have their guns still. It's also possibly they didn't want to make a movie tie-in figure with a gun, so decided to excluded it in the film too, so it still looked identical.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 10:16:09 am
content: Quote from: ales22 on March 01, 2014, 10:20:49 pmSmall fully functional guns actually exist and they can be used to harm and/or intimidate people. I wouldn't want to get hit by one.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 12:19:23 pm
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on March 02, 2014, 10:16:09 amSurely a pen, grain of rice and a good set of lungs will do more damage

author: cybermaus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 01:04:19 pm
content: Don't let them overhear you, or next month we will also not be allowed to bring a pen.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 01:41:04 pm
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on February 26, 2014, 06:47:12 am1 Whole tank? I would suggest all the Canadian citizens chip in a few bucks, buy a 2nd tank and donate it to the Military. No decisions on which coast to put it and maybe everyone can list the contribution as a tax deduction.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 02:44:50 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on March 02, 2014, 12:19:23 pmWell...2mm shot went clean through a normal sized tomato.Tomatos are mainly water, so are humans. If it kills a tomato it can kill a human.

author: deth502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 07:09:15 pm
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on March 02, 2014, 10:16:09 amand if the tsa agent could not tell a working metal machine with moving parts from a shitty lump of molded plastic, they shouldnt be considered fit to leave their padded cells.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2014, 07:17:23 pm
content: Quote from: dc101 on February 28, 2014, 09:38:31 pmIf your search terms are purely on name, then I agree - I think Dave Jones should be taken to guantanamo and be waterboarded until he finally admits he is an al-qaeda terrorist pretending to be a nice family man from sydney running a blog on electronic engineering. Come on, we all know he is a terrorist "sleeper" and this whole thing is a front.I will remove my tinfoil after I hit "Post"...ETA: For context -www.eevblog.com/2014/02/24/element-14-holding-orders-based-on-us-government-watch-list/

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2014, 01:59:36 am
content: Quote from: Legit-Design on March 02, 2014, 02:44:50 pmI don't recall seeing any muscle, sinew, fat or bone last time I cut up a tomato!!.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2014, 02:06:45 am
content: I think it unlikely a 2mm pinfire could cause fatal damage unless very carefully used. I would be rather more afraid of a sharp toothbrush.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2014, 02:07:09 am
content: First, the terrorist needs to demonstrate its lethal, or at least the weapon is convincing, so a 1st shot must be initiated. Otherwise he will get laughed at.Terrorist aint stupid, with that "rice gun", even he managed to kill a person on the 1st shot, assuming an instant & deadly penetration into the heart or critical brain part, how do you expect the threatened crowd will react after the 1st shot while watching he is busy re-loading the "rice" ?I don't think its good enough to make such a dangerous threat that will convince the whole plane passengers.Not a security expert, but I don't think that rice gun is more threatening than a metal fork.A weapon for assassin, probably yes, but with big chance of failure, a weapon for hijacking a plane ? C'mon.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2014, 11:54:50 pm
content: Congratulations, you made it on Techdirt :http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140226/18352626367/australian-man-cant-get-parts-because-his-super-generic-name-is-us-terrorist-watchlist.shtmlWonder how much traffic they will bring you, compared to previous more niche/related sites like Hackaday... would love to see some stats if you'll find the time in a few days to check and if you're willing to share.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2014, 12:13:30 am
content: (geeky looking guy going thru security)"check this guy, bruce; he might be carrying wooden-covered capacitors or even metal bitcoins. he looks the type, alright."

author: Winston
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 06:52:49 pm
content: Change your name to Terry Wrist or Al Kyder.The Chaser's War on Everything - Airport Prank

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 06:01:34 pm
content: https://twitter.com/kpoulsen/status/466244176376381440From @ggreenwald's new Snowden docs: the NSA unboxing a Cisco router to install spyware.http://glenngreenwald.net/pdf/NoPlaceToHide-Documents-Compressed.pdf…pic.twitter.com/NDsk0hg4GQAre these incidents connected? Does NSA hold orders so they can install their spyware? I guess it didn't work since Dave only ordered components but might as well have ordered some other things.What high tech gadgetry are they using to remove the packing tape without leaving traces?Atleast we now have name for this "supply-chain interdiction"

author: scientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 06:08:48 pm
content: Hey, at least the NSA has figured out how to teardown parts without breaking the warranty seals! We could take a few tips from them