The idea of a clock which tells not the time but the location of your family members, as the Weasley family clock does, is something that may not be exclusive to the magical world forever. Discovery News has a most interesting article online which talks of a prototype device from Microsoft researchers which would be able to keep track of the general location of your family members using their wireless cell phone network, and translate that information back to a clock at home. The device works by using a preset location of a persons work, school, or home, and when the person goes back to that area, ‘the software sends a signal through the network back to the Whereabouts Clock at home. The clock interprets the signal and uses it to move an image of the person’s head into the appropriate area. The image moves into “elsewhere” when the person’s mobile phone is in an undesignated area.’ Families would also be able to text a message to the Clock, leaving a note of their activities if they should change.
Abigail Sellen, a Microsoft researcher, is quoted in the article and says of the intent of the prototype device:
“You can buy a service on your phone to keep track of your kids. There is even talk about putting electronic chips into kids, which is not what we want to do at all… We wanted to build a device that was not too intrusive into people’s lives, but at the same time recognized the importance of reassurance in a family.”
The Whereabouts Clock has been tested by a number of families who, the article says, did not have issue with privacy. The article notes, however, that Microsoft has no immediate plans for such a product to come to the market.
i wish they would also come up with marauder's maps of different places. i think its a good way to keep track of where people are, and to investigate on crimes and stuff like that, without grossly invading people's privacy. _________________
wow that is really cool. sounds really interesting. thanks for sharing _________________ Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
~ Albus Dumbledore
I think it's a reall good idea for families... but I wonder how it would work outside of families. For instance, would I be able to control who would be able to track me? Or would I have to start looking over my shoulder everywhere I go? _________________ Blame it on a simple twist of fate. ~ Bob Dylan
Yeah, because otherwise, I would make sure to leave my cellphone at home next time I'm up to no good. _________________ Blame it on a simple twist of fate. ~ Bob Dylan
that would suck if u were sneaking out to see you significant other-and ur parents saw it! most people don't have the luxury of living in a castle away from the parentals- with only a howler to yell at u with!
It seems like a cool idea, but creepy at the same time. It's like having big brother there all the time, keeping track of you. Freedom is wonderful, so I'd have to pass if it ever came out.
if i were still in highschool i would just leave my cell phone in my locker if i were going to ditch or cause some mischief lol _________________ www.myspace.com/teenageheartache
its a good idea but i dont think so! wat about stalkers!
and wat if a marauders map was made i could fly to brittan and stalk rupert grint! that would be good but not realistic!
_________________
Wow that would be amazing! its such a good idea... but I would hate the invasion of privicy. Im not havin any micro chips inserted in me, thank you very much.... _________________
"Of course its happening inside your head Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"
In the future they're talkin bout puttin microchips into all new born babies and crap like that. To make em learn stuff INSTANTLY and obviously these chips could be used to track ppl so...I say science and technology has gotten a LITTLE BIT scary in the past decade. Scientists jus don't know when to STOP, do they! I expect the matrix or the terminator movies to come true in about 50 year from now _________________ "My Logic is Never without Reason..."
i wish they coulda put i chip into me so i knew crap when i was first born! and kiddies... once this clock comes out... good luck on doing the bad stuff... i hope it comes out in time when my kids that i may have are older... i will control their lives.. muhahaha _________________
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