Billyman
11-06-2002, 11:59 PM
They're neat and totally cooj. Do you really want one? Think twice.
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=431326
The Stavanger men who discovered that data input on a cordless keyboard also appeared on a neighbor's computer - supposedly far out of range in another building - have had their equipment replaced. Nothing has changed, and the manufacturer is worried.
Per Arild Evjeberg and Per Erik Helle made headlines when they discovered that text Evjeberg was typing in was appearing in Helle's apartment, 150 meters and at least two walls away.
Product manager Tore A. Särelind of Hewlett-Packard Norway is concerned and said the firm is taking the problem "deadly seriously", Stavanger Aftenblad reports.
"It was discouraging. When Per Arild started typing with his new keyboard it popped up on my screen again. It isn't his keyboard that is the problem, it is the keyboard in general. HP must realize that the sender is emitting far too powerful signals. Users have basically no control over who receives the signals," Helle said.
"The theory that it was an isolated fault with Evjeberg's keyboard is weakened considerably when a new keyboard does the same thing. It indicates that the problem is much larger than we first believed," said Särelind, who will likely have the product tested by Norwegian electronics testing foundation Nemko.
Särelind said that HP had mobilized forces to examine and react to the problem.
"Among other things we will check the suitability of the frequency we use. It is a so-called walkie-talkie frequency with a radius that can be difficult to limit," Särelind said.
"We also would like to do an "on site" test in the area where Helle and Evjeberg live to see if there are special circumstances there which might influence the reach of the keyboards," Särelind said.
Särelind said that further tests would have to take place before they could decide on a recall. Over 65,000 of the keyboards have been sold by HP in Europe alone. The keyboard is also sold in the USA, but in smaller numbers.
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article.jhtml?articleID=431326
The Stavanger men who discovered that data input on a cordless keyboard also appeared on a neighbor's computer - supposedly far out of range in another building - have had their equipment replaced. Nothing has changed, and the manufacturer is worried.
Per Arild Evjeberg and Per Erik Helle made headlines when they discovered that text Evjeberg was typing in was appearing in Helle's apartment, 150 meters and at least two walls away.
Product manager Tore A. Särelind of Hewlett-Packard Norway is concerned and said the firm is taking the problem "deadly seriously", Stavanger Aftenblad reports.
"It was discouraging. When Per Arild started typing with his new keyboard it popped up on my screen again. It isn't his keyboard that is the problem, it is the keyboard in general. HP must realize that the sender is emitting far too powerful signals. Users have basically no control over who receives the signals," Helle said.
"The theory that it was an isolated fault with Evjeberg's keyboard is weakened considerably when a new keyboard does the same thing. It indicates that the problem is much larger than we first believed," said Särelind, who will likely have the product tested by Norwegian electronics testing foundation Nemko.
Särelind said that HP had mobilized forces to examine and react to the problem.
"Among other things we will check the suitability of the frequency we use. It is a so-called walkie-talkie frequency with a radius that can be difficult to limit," Särelind said.
"We also would like to do an "on site" test in the area where Helle and Evjeberg live to see if there are special circumstances there which might influence the reach of the keyboards," Särelind said.
Särelind said that further tests would have to take place before they could decide on a recall. Over 65,000 of the keyboards have been sold by HP in Europe alone. The keyboard is also sold in the USA, but in smaller numbers.