Laptop detectors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 06:17:24 pm
content: This subject may have been already covered here, several times, and I'm sorry for bring it again. But this is getting me almos crazy.Arround my University have been a lot of robberies to the parked cars. It seems that the thieves are just going to the trunks to get the laptops that people eventually let there.Is it true that devices capable of detecting laptop batteries really exists?

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 06:26:48 pm
content: No. The way they detect a laptop battery is by opening the trunk and looking if there is a laptop inside.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 06:28:01 pm
content: The funny part is that, supposedly, they only "violate" the cars that have a laptop inside

author: os40la
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 06:37:09 pm
content: Try leaving just a battery in your car to see if that theory holds any water.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 06:39:23 pm
content: That could be a nice try, but in first place I usually go by bus to classes and, second, the idea of get to the car and see a broken window doesn't semms much funny...

author: mc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:19:34 pm
content: Somebody is probably watching the car park to see who's putting laptops in their cars.It's part of my employers training/company policy that you don't place laptops into the trunk when you're parking up as you never know who might be watching. The advise is to place them in the trunk before driving, or if that's not possible and taking them with you isn't possible, leave them covered in the footwell. Not ideal, but it's not as blatantly obvious as being seen leaving them in the car.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:28:08 pm
content: I know that. But it's very strange that dozens and dozens of preople are making the same mistake and being robbed...I just don't know if those "detectors" are a myth...

author: Len
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:28:46 pm
content: Quote from: canibalimao on October 01, 2015, 06:28:01 pm"Supposedly"?I don't believe it. Either they saw a laptop in the car, or they saw someone putting something in the trunk, or they tried car doors to find one that wasn't locked (people do that every night around here).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:31:55 pm
content: Simplest method is what is used here, there is a lurker who observes the cars entering the parking, and those who either put the laptop in the back, or who do not carry it with them to class, while going to a building where the subject matter likely includes use of said laptop will have the car broken into as there is likely there is one there. Only needs somebody in the area, either sitting in a park with a view of the parking, or standing around but not obviously loitering. They then mark the car and pass the info to another who will do the break in with the spotter providing cover and observation, or do it themselves.Only electronics will be a cellphone to communicate if there are a group doing this.Funny thing is today on the way home I saw a car driving along with a broken side window, the driver obviously an out of towner ( the number plates are a give away) must have had either a smartphone, tablet or laptop on the seat next to him, and it was taken at a traffic light. he turned off down a road that leads to a motor spares place and a glass fitment shop.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:38:06 pm
content: Yep. *NEVER* put any bag in the trunk before leaving the vehicle if there is any chance of being seen. If you need to put a bag away, pull over to do so far enough away from where you intend to park up that no one can easily follow you to the parking place. If you have shopping bags or similar on the seat, leave them open so its obvious that they are either empty or only cheap groceries. Don't leave any DIY supplies visible that might lead a thief to think you may have power tools in the trunk. Finally, it helps to drive an older cheap vehicle rather than something new and expensive.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:49:09 pm
content: Maybe they are opening the trunks without leaving any visible damage and closing them again? Then you'd never suspect that your car had been "violated".McBryce.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:51:56 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on October 01, 2015, 07:49:09 pmNo, they are breaking ate least one glass window.Initially I thought about a RF Jammer that would leave the doors opened, but no. Here they use brute force.I can't just believe that are so many stupid people that put things in the trunk after leaving the car

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 07:57:50 pm
content: Its not that they are stupid (though no doubt a few are) however, many students don't have enough big city life experience to be sufficiently cautious.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 08:01:24 pm
content: It all depends on what level of crime you're used to and the level where you are at the moment. Where I live, I could leave the laptop on the drivers seat of an open cabrio and it would probably still be there when I got back. But the place I grew up in... The laptop would still be there, but the car would be gone.McBryce.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 08:16:17 pm
content: Here in my city, specially in the University zone, everyone knows about robberies. Only, maybe, Erasmus students are more "uninformed". I'm not in a city known by crimes, but it's far from a peacefull city.And we are not talking about "freshies", we are talking about "veterans" that are in town for long long time (most of them lived here their all life).

author: MiataMuc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 08:37:50 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on October 01, 2015, 08:01:24 pmMunich?I always see people leaving their satnavs in the car..

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 08:39:20 pm
content: I have personally been the victim of having my car broken into at a trail-head out in the forest. The thieves observed one of the women putting their purse into the trunk after we parked, and that is how they knew which car(s) to break into.There may be some VERY SLIGHT possibility that they are using a WiFi detection method of some kind to see if there was something inside the vehicle emitting 2.4GHz. But all laptops I've seen turn off the wireless signals when you close them.I would bet 100:1 in favor of the simple observation method vs. some sophisticated "detection" scheme.

author: briselec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 09:26:51 pm
content: Different places require different tactics. There's a small town near one of the places we used to go rock climbing. People were getting their car windows broken till we worked out it was just local kids looking for cash. After that we would leave the cars unlocked and a few coins for them. They would take the coins but never anything else and no more broken windows.

author: Bob F.
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2015, 09:50:24 pm
content: Wouldn't the trunk/boot of a car make quite a good Faraday cage (or would the metal need to be grounded to be effective)? If so, detecting any sleep-mode activity from a laptop in there would seem unlikely.But I would guess that two or three young adults hanging around an area chatting, where lots of other young adults hang around chatting, would go unremarked. Add me to the Occam's Razor view: eyes are very sensitive and effective sensors and readily available to even the most dim-witted of criminals.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 06:35:18 am
content: Maybe it's time to set some traps for the thieves? Maybe a small paint/smoke bomb or similar. If that happens often enough, a lot of would be thieves might think it's too risky and look elsewhere.

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 06:47:26 am
content: There are thieves thatonlysteal certain items. So, they will observe a parking lot, and see what owners leave in their cars. They will study the patterns, to see at what usual time owner does what. Then, they will brake in the car at the specific time, andonlysteal that specific item.This happens in my country often. For example, in my parent's Dacia Sandero, we had an electric air compressor for inflating tyres. Once in the while, i would go to the car, and check the tyre pressure with it. It was on the parking lot in front of the apartment building.So, one day they broke in trough a passenger door (very easy on this car, just use screwdriver to push out the lock), they dropped the collapsible rear sits to get to the trunk. Theyonlystole air compressor, even though there were also a car jack lift, wheel wrench, first aid kit, spare tyre under the trunk, and so on. All of that stuff was right there, next to the air compressor.

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 07:04:29 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on October 02, 2015, 06:51:56 amYeah, they often steal wheels, car batteries, petrol, window wipers (not so common now), car radios, first aid kits, tools,...They stole car battery from my grandfather so many times, from his Yugo, that he takes the battery out of the car and brings it home every time.They also stole our licence plates for our Sandero. After that, I have put security screws on the new ones. And few months ago, I have noticed that one of those screws was half way undone (it is a long screw). So they must have tried to undo it with pliers or something, and then given up.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 07:38:50 am
content: Quote from: Srbel on October 02, 2015, 07:04:29 amA long time ago (more than 10 years) my mom's car (Opel Corsa) got her licence plates stolen. The car was parked on a street and, with our plates, another Corsa got his plates (very nice to call "he" to a car) stolen also. A lot of cars were parked on that street, but they only wanted the Corsa's ones. The new plate screws are "scraped" just to make impossible the job of unscrewing them. It's just impossible...My mom went to the police and, not much time later, the letters from lawyers came in.Those bastards were using a black Corsa like ours, with our stolen plates, to put gasoline an leave without paying, pass throw tolls on the highway and, the last thing was use the car to take down a mobile phone store front window...

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 06:12:14 pm
content: QuoteWhere in Portugal do you life?Here in Vienna you could not leafy anything outside. It will be stolen in 24h. In the Norh is CZ in the East SK and HU.Now the People from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Turkey,... who come whit Fake Syrian Passports and the Crime Rate rise up.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 07:25:43 pm
content: Quote from: MiataMuc on October 01, 2015, 08:37:50 pmCologne. And yes, my satvav is also always left visible, clipped to the dash in my car, sometimes in town, with the roof left open and it's always there when I get back. However, we have had one experience of crime here. My wife left her car open and someone went through the glove-compartment. It was full of music CDs, but they left without taking anything. I told her it just proves that even thieves think her taste in music is crapMcBryce.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 08:06:49 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 02, 2015, 06:12:14 pmYay mate, what a way to paint entire nations as criminals. Add the refugees/migrants too, for good measure, they are the most popular scapegoat now. And then it gets discovered that the cars are broken into by local junkies selling the goods to have money for heroin or a bunch of bored teens is entertaining themselves in this manner ...The actual stats show significantdecreaseof crime in Austria since the "Eastern Bloc" you are mentioning (SK/CZ/HU) has joined EU in 2004 and Schengen in 2008 (http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BK/publikationen/krim_statistik/2013/2732014_KrimStat_2013_Broschuere.pdf, p. 9 onwards ). If what you were alleging was true, shouldn't the report be showing the opposite, with the lack of border controls and everything?The only things significantly up are violent crime (assaults and such) - but there 70% of perpetrators were Austrian citizens - and cybercrime.That's not to say that some of my countrymen (I am Slovak, despite the French flag) are not a disgrace and criminals, but this sort of over-generalization is really unhelpful and only fanning xenophobia and hate.Thank you for not spreading this BS anymore.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 08:40:15 pm
content: QuoteNo! I say only after the Boarder got open and the Police never search a Car the (smaller) City around and in Vienna the Crime Rate increased. So when you look on the Cart on Site 9 you see ~1,100 more Case of burglaryin Austriaand ~600 more Car burglary.The stats dont say who i was. For example the offical Chart dont make a difference between People who have an Migration Background. The have may an Austrian Passport but the dont want to integrate in the Austrian Society. German is there 2nd Language.Sorry we dont need those People here. If the want talk Turkish the should fly Home to Turkey.QuoteNope! 1) the dont say in which part of Austria the Crime in or decrease. That mean when the Crime Rate in Tirol 20% decrease and in Vienna it 10% increase the Crimerate in Austria will decrease by 10%.Maybe i finde some other offical sources to.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:01:57 pm
content: Look here, this is the most recent (2014) and very detailed:http://www.statistik.at/wcm/idc/idcplg?IdcService=GET_NATIVE_FILE&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=103667There you have it divided even by nationality (Austrian vs foreigners). Page 42 has a nice graph showing the crime trends - the foreigner caused crime is pretty much constant and the opening of the borders after 1990 didn't have much effect.Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 02, 2015, 08:40:15 pmBut you are sure that it was done by foreigners. Riiight ... That makes sense.QuoteWell, I only wish someone reminded you of this once you have to travel or work abroad somewhere, where German isn't the first language. I am sure you will feel totally welcome. Unbelievable ...

author: bigdawg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:15:02 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 02, 2015, 06:12:14 pmapart from all good points already raised by janoc, I was just shocked that you included India in your list of refugess/illegalsBelieve me, they dont need to go to Austria; heck most Indians would not even know where it is. Plenty of Indians already immigrate to stateside/UK/Aus etc without problems, and they all have many stereotypes here; none of which come close to "they are all robbers"

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:25:21 pm
content: QuoteBut not official.QuoteSo here are the Problem with nationality.1) When on the Boarder station nobody check the Car the cant find anything inside a foreigners Car. The Personal Belongings are lost and nobody get charged for.Here an nice example. If not on every KM on the Autobahn a speed camera who catch a over speeded Car do you think the drive slower? No but nobody can catch them and give them a Ticket.2) Migrants who life in the 2nd or 3rd Generation here are never shown in any offical Stats as foreigner. The are include in the "Austrian" Stats.If you speak German read that:http://www.irks.at/assets/irks/Publikationen/Forschungsbericht/IRKS_MA17_Kriminalstatistik_Migranten_2012-07-12.pdfQuotethere is also some other problem it called "Roma/ Sinti" i belive you know the slang word. I can show you tons and tons of news articles what thoes gangs do.QuoteSure I was in Canada the most European Country, Thailand, Dubai, Japan.I have no Problems with Tourist only with People who want to life here and dont integrate in the Austrian Soscity.Quotetrust me the come!So everyone can google for "Traiskirchen".QuoteSure i never have Trouble with Indian only with everyone who read the Koran and or are from an Arabic State.

author: MiataMuc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:32:28 pm
content: Quote from: McBryce on October 02, 2015, 07:25:43 pmDon't they tow cars with open roof or open windows in Cologne, too?

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:39:05 pm
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 02, 2015, 09:25:21 pmI suggest that you actually check your facts before talking.Tell this to our former minister Rusko who got caught on your Autobahn doing 200+km/h (he drove the government BMW himself and claimed that he "didn't realize the car can go that fast ..."). He got stopped, 800 euro fine and a driving ban. Government minister, at that.Also, your government is routinely sending speeding tickets for foreign registered cars abroad, so if I get flashed in Austria for speeding, the ticket will be waiting for me at home (tested, this was the case at least since 2001 or so). This works over most of the Europe now, btw.QuoteLOL. And how many of the SK/HU/CZ countries you were smearing before actually "read Koran" or are "Arabic"? And the Roma you mentioned? And the Turks? (fyi, Turks neither speak Arabic nor have anything to do with Arabs - tell a Turk that he is an Arab and you could end up with a few broken bones). So who else you "never have trouble with"?Pathetic.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 09:43:22 pm
content: Quote from: MiataMuc on October 02, 2015, 09:32:28 pmNot sure about towing, but in Slovakia and Czech republic you can get fined by the police if you leave your car open like that. Basically, it is considered that you have left the car unsecured. Also, should anything happen to it - theft or vandalism, for ex. - you are going to have a hell of a time trying to get compensated by your insurance in such case. They will consider it your fault and refuse to pay.

author: Augustus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2015, 10:20:56 pm
content: In Germany: Depends on the officers mood. Legally, they are allowed to tow the car, if they feel it's necessary to prevent a crime. For example if you leave it unlocked in certain "crime prone" areas. Most of the time you'll get away with just a ticket...

author: MiataMuc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 12:39:12 am
content: my mother got her beaten up Mazda 323 towed for having left the windows open 3 cm.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 03:26:41 am
content: Quote from: janoc on October 02, 2015, 09:01:57 pmI actually mostly agree with janoc's statement. Although I probably wouldn't have put it so bluntly. I think if you move to a country permanently you should learn their primary language (or at least learn some basic words and phrases).In Australia for example, how can people get buy in society without speaking or reading the language? How are motorists going to read street signs and understand road rules if they can't read them? They won't always have an interpreter sitting next to them guiding them.I see this time and time again in the area where I work; people who can barely say hello in English, yet expect all the same rights and freedoms as English-speaking Australians. Yeah, I'm sorry, put a bit of effort in and cut the crap.

author: canibalimao
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 09:57:12 am
content: Quote from: Lord of nothing on October 02, 2015, 06:12:14 pmIn Porto, the second district with more people in the country.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 09:57:15 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on October 03, 2015, 03:26:41 amI would like to clarify what I said there - having to learn the local language is absolutely fine, IMHO. I have lived in 4 different countries so far and learning at least the basics of the language to get by and to be able to do the administrative stuff like taxes is a must. I don't think anyone has a problem with that (even though expecting e.g. an elderly grandma to learn a foreign language at her age is a bit illusory, IMHO. Some tolerance certainly wouldn't hurt).I was pointing out the xenophobic and outright racist part of the "If they want to speak Turkish they can go to Turkey" - wtf is it of anyone's business which language I use with my friends or family? This is only looking for an excuse whytheyare not likeusand thus it is OK to discriminate, hate them, whatever. If the language is not enough, it will be about their skin color, religion, supposed crimes or some other BS excuse. Which was finally pretty much confirmed in his later posts about "Koran" and "Arabic" and few other bits. He isn't looking to debate the facts, he is looking for excuses why hating these people is OK.I have been on the receiving end of these attitudes ever since I have started to work abroad, whether it was Germany, Switzerland, Denmark or here in France. There is always someone who will let you feel that you are not equal to the locals. Honestly, it is insulting and tiring.I have never been employed illegally, never committed a crime, I am paying all my taxes and obey all the laws of the country I am in. I also speak 5 languages thanks to that (how many do you?). And I still get painted as a scum by people like Lord of nothing only because of my foreign accent and the bad luck of having been born 20km on the wrong side of the Austria-Slovak border.The best are the platitudes by some "Oh but it is not aboutyouit is only about thoseothers!" - but who are those "others" when entire nations are being stereotyped? Racism and xenophobia were always present in Europe, but most didn't want to see it, it wasn't something you talked about and not wasn't compatible with the humanist EU ideals. The refugee crisis has illustrated this really well, bringing out the true attitudes of the people to light. Unfortunately, there my countrymen (and especially the country's leadership) really have dropped the ball too. However, that is for another discussion.My message to people like Lord is: If you want to point out that someone is a criminal, then call them out by name and let their language, nationality, religion, skin colour etc be alone. The 99.9% of the other people caught in such wide net are going to be innocent and you are only pouring gasoline on the fire of racism and xenophobia. We have all seen where that leads 75 years ago.

author: McBryce
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 07:17:07 pm
content: Quote from: MiataMuc on October 02, 2015, 09:32:28 pmNo, they'll only tow a car if the doors are unlocked. During the summer I rarely close the roof and I've been driving convertables for the last 18 years.McBryce.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 08:16:04 pm
content: Never underestimate the commonality of an inside job. If there is someone that has access to security cameras, they could be writing down the number plates and passing them to a third party.In my IT Security class, the instructor who has worked both IT Security and Physical security said a common scam is for a security company to rob the building and then wait for the insurance company to pick up the tab, then contact individual owners and come up with a fake story about how they either found the missing item or whatever or pretend to have found the person who is willing to return the item for a fee which they say "since insurance has already paid you, we can both benefit, you get to keep part of the insurance money and also get your stuff back"Sure, it's insurance fraud, but how will they ever find out, right? That's how that scam works.

author: karoru
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2015, 10:28:01 pm
content: Quote from: janoc on October 02, 2015, 09:43:22 pmIn Poland it's also a small crime (Wikipedia gives out a term 'contravention', but I don't know it's easily understandable by non-lawyer English users) to leave a car in a way that doesn't protect it from use by unauthorised persons. You'll get something like 25 euro fine for it (to put it in some comparison, it's the same amount of money you'd get fined for eg parking your car on sidewalk when it's not allowed)..

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 01:29:14 am
content: Quote from: janoc on October 02, 2015, 09:43:22 pmSame deal in Australia. It's an offence leave your engine running if you're more than 3 metres away from the vehicle, not lock doors/secure windows if the vehicle is unattended, not remove ignition key before leaving the vehicle and not "restrain" the vehicle properly (i.e.: apply the parking brake etc...).From memory the fine is currently $106 per offence.Source:http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/rr2014104/s213.html

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2015, 04:43:22 am
content: Quote from: janoc on October 03, 2015, 09:57:15 amThe main problem I've had with this is not with recent immigrants having problems with the language, I've got to say the ones I've met at least try and the effort is enough for me. My problem is with fellow second or third generation immigrants whorefuseto speak English in a lot of situations. It especially bothers me in the working environment. I'm a typical Brit, I can't speak any other languages with any competency, but given my background I'm rather good atlisteningto them so I don't have the "are they talking about me" paranoia going on*. I just find it rude. I understand wanting to get some practice in, my mother and sister do it at home and when we meet up with certain family and family friends. But when we come into hearing shot of people who probably don't understand the languages in question they switch to English or repeat certain parts in English so the aforementioned paranoia doesn't come up**. There are times and places where not speaking the national language when you can is just plain ignorant.QuoteAnd everywhere else as well. Trust me racism and xenophobia are not a European or Caucasoid peculiarity.*In fact I tend to find it funny when they are and think I don't know.**And this is a habit we picked up from the first generation immigrants in our families. It's not the English only speakers who taught us to think of it rude :/

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 04:16:18 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on October 04, 2015, 04:43:22 amThe problem with this is that it is a strawman - it isn't what the guy was arguing about, actually. I agree that talking to your buddy in a language the rest of the people in the room don't speak is rude, but try to work in an international company (or at a university) where it is common that you have a mixed language team. You will see that sometimes for the sake of efficiency it is easier and faster to speak something else than English, especially when your partner doesn't speak English as the first language.Anyhow, have you been to France or Switzerland, for example? There some of thelocalseven in major tourist centres will refuse to speak to you in a foreign language, despite it being obvious that you don't speak theirs and they can actually speak yours (e.g. because they just spoke it to the person in front of you in the queue). They will make an unbelievable effort to pretend that they don't understand what you want. However, say "Bonjour!" in French first and suddenly you get fluent English (or rarely German) back once they hear the foreign accent ... Happened to me on several occassions. What's the difference compared to those immigrants you are talking about?Quote from: Mechanical Menace on October 04, 2015, 04:43:22 amCorrect. However, I was trying to make the point that this was somehow considered a thing of the past, something that doesn't have a place in modern Europe. Unfortunately we are far from it ...

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 04:32:42 pm
content: Quote from: janoc on October 06, 2015, 04:16:18 pmOnly if you don't know what a strawman is. What argument was I trying to demolish by making up a false representation to "burn down?" Oh none, I was joining in the conversation with what annoys me about the sort of situation that was the topic of conversation. You may not believe me that their are people whose first language is English who won't speak it in England if they can avoid it but that doesn't make it a lie nor does it make it a strawman seeing as I wasn't using it to back up an argument and it isn't a false representation. Anecdotal yes, but that doesn't mean I have no right to get annoyed by it.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2015, 11:11:58 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on October 06, 2015, 04:32:42 pmThen I apologize. I have understood your comment as a follow-up to what Lord was saying when he made the comments about Turks that should go to Turkey if they want to speak Turkish. In that context it seemed as a strawman argument because he wasn't talking about people who don't want to speak/learn the local language but people speaking Turkish/Arabic/whatever other language than German in general. If you weren't reacting to that, then that's a different story, obviously.Quote from: Mechanical Menace on October 06, 2015, 04:32:42 pmI certainly believe you that this is possible and yes, it can be annoying. I was not really disputing this.

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 06:49:24 pm
content: QuoteIn other Country the People get forced to learn the local Language. That is the only right think to.QuoteThe Point is Europe is full of Pepole. If Europe is a Boat the will sunk in the next Year. In fact he cant give Work for everyone. How many Factory are closed down?"Mechanical Menace" how many British Car Factory still there? Work for everyone is a myth.I hear a Storry about 0 Hour Contracts in UK. That mean a Worker is hired for 0 Hours and Work only on Request. The huge Problem is if he say or do something against the Company he will be not loose his Job and get Socal Service. In theory the have a Job but no Money.Is that the World we want to life?QuoteSo what will you do in a Country when you not speak there Language? I dont talk about Engineers, Teacher or Student. I talk about people who cheat. Life in a Country and receive Socal Service. Make a lot of Children to get a lot of Money every Month. Dont want to Work and life in there Subculture. The dont want to integrate in our Society.Why should he do? The have there own Supermarket. Have Translators in the Hospital and get Socal Service for Children.Now the have there own Party and try to infiltrate our Goverment. Next step turn the Country into a caliphate.Quoteoke stop! I dont talk about Tourist! I talk about local People who life here for +30 Years and or be the 2nd or 3rd Generation and refuse to speak German.QuoteIf a Tourist ask me in English for Help i have no Problem to answer him.QuoteThe have an Austrian Passport! The live here for +30 Years! The are the 2nd/ 3rd Generation! On the Pager the are Austrians not Tourist...QuoteWhen i life in a Country the First Step is learn the local Language. Speak with my new College.So what shuld we do with People who not want to be Austrians?

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2015, 10:48:47 pm
content: I don't understand how people from continental Europe can be xenophobic, what with them all being foreigners themselves...

author: Lord of nothing
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2015, 12:33:33 am
content: Delta UK dont have so much Problems because your Contry dont have Schengen.Do you know whats going on the Eurotunnel? If now look in the Media.Would you say that People who life in Austria and have an Austrian Passport and dont speak one Word German and Teaching the Kids no German and make everything different are foreigners or locals?What is more important the Country name in Passport or how does People life?

author: Srbel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 09:25:30 am
content: Scum stole my grandfather's car battery again. Small 45 Ah battery. Why not steal big, more expensive batteries from those SUVs? No, steel only from poor people. And the car was parked in front of police station (where he lives), of course.

author: manzini
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 10:49:26 am
content: Quote from: Delta on October 07, 2015, 10:48:47 pmit seems that not only continental europeans.....http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/celts-descended-from-spanish-fishermen-study-finds-416727.html"....but the hordes of British holidaymakers who visited Spain this summer were, in fact, returning to their ancestral home."

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 10:59:37 am
content: Quote from: Srbel on November 15, 2015, 09:25:30 amProbably was the police, get a car alarm with a bonnet switch.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2015, 11:36:30 am
content: Quote from: Delta on October 07, 2015, 10:48:47 pm

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2015, 06:37:30 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on October 01, 2015, 07:31:55 pmThis recent Smarter Every Day video explains why it was the side window that was broken and not the windshield.