Prank ideas hit sour note

GPS World,  Dec, 2007  

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GPS can be a tool for "doing evil deeds," pointed out John Brandon in Wired Magazine. In his October 23 article "Psst. Wanna Be a GPS Prankster? Here's How," Brandon describes tricks such as moving geochaches, changing voice prompts, or inputting bogus waymarkers at Waymarking.com.

"With great power comes great potential for irresponsibility," he wrote. "Look up the locations of geocaches--packages stashed for GPS treasure hunts--and move them. Stake out the old spot and watch players go mad with frustration."

It was all in fun--but not in the eyes of readers, many of whom took umbrage at the very idea.

A few comments: "This is a horrible article, as it destroys a great game." "Every bit as amusing as making bogus Wikipedia edits." "We have enough problems with deer hunters, animals, and reckless teenagers, now we must deal with (pirates)." "I knew the dark and seedy underbelly of consumerized GPS would emerge at some point."

There was one less heated comment: "A little humor doesn't hurt now and then."

COPYRIGHT 2007 Questex Media Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning