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December 28, 2004
Christmas Hoax
The website that supposedly let viewers control Christmas lights is a hoax.
A man who boasted to reporters around the world that his Web site allowed strangers to turn his outdoor Christmas lights off and on admitted Monday it was an elaborate hoax designed, he said, to spread holiday cheer.
Alek Komarnitsky, a computer specialist, said he started the site two years ago to see if he could use computer tricks to make it look as if the thousands of lights adorning his house in Lafayette were blinking on command.
Not only did he fool website visitors (more details on how he did it here), he also fooled many media types, including the Associated Press....who apparently didn't investigate his claims too closely. Imagine that.
I never was really asked any "hard" questions, but once I started talking X10/Ethernet/Wireless/etc. their eyes would glaze over. None asked to see the webcam ... and at the time, there was actually NOTHING in the "tree" across the street - I subsequently tossed a goofball contraption with lotsa duct tape up there, with extension cord going to a neighbors house.
Good one, Mr. Komarnitsky! And thanks for the biggest laugh I've had in days.
It also raises other questions. Like if this is how poorly the media investigates their fluff pieces, how well do they really investigate their serious stories?
Or why should we believe anything they report?
Posted by Rita at December 28, 2004 04:47 AM
Comments
Totally amused.
Posted by: Keith at December 28, 2004 08:32 AM
I especially liked the "web camera bearings" excuse.
Posted by: rita at December 28, 2004 08:54 AM