btlgrl

Geez, only thought it was interesting how far GPS technology has come. If there's anything that can be said in addition, it is great that law enforcement has increased their use of the technology. Who knows when one of us may need their help someday, and our cell phone/GPS may save us. My apologies to anyone who doesn't like the post. Just a little fun!!

Sorry, here's the article: Suspected 'Porno Man' 911 caller arrested A 41-year-old Cranston man is charged with making more than 1,800 crank or obscene phone calls. 01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 BY CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY Journal Staff Writer State police used Global Positioning System technology embedded in a cell phone to track down and arrest a Cranston man suspected of making 1,800 obscene phone calls to 911 operators over the past two months. The police arrested Kenneth D. Iasimone, 41, of 210 Hazelton St., who was dubbed "Porno Man" at the Emergency 911 headquarters. Iasimone allegedly called 911 on a cell phone he had bought using the fake name Tony Soprano. Raymond LaBelle, executive director of Rhode Island's E-911, said the man sometimes called 4 to 10 times a day. "He would call and use some dirty language and play a pornographic film in the background," LaBelle said. "The telecommunications operator who took the call would have to listen to the grunting and groaning and whatever else that goes along with that entertainment." Iasimone usually targeted female 911 operators, LaBelle said. If a male answered, he would often hang up. Harassing and obscene callers are not new to 911 operators. "We are here 24/7/365. If you want an audience, there is always someone here to answer the phone," LaBelle said. But until two years ago, there was no way to track down cell phone callers. Two years ago, cell phone companies began embedding global positioning technology into phones. When a 911 operator receives a call from a phone with a GPS chip, a map appears on the operator's computer screen showing a precise location of the caller. In towns and cities that have been "geomapped," the operators see an exact address and sometimes a photo of the building. Cranston has not been geomapped yet. Trooper John Charbonneau's investigation led him to a local cell-phone company where Iasimmone had purchased a cell phone with prepaid minutes in May using the name of the fictional mob boss of The Sopranos. The cell phone had a GPS chip that helped the police focus on the neighborhood where most of the obscene phone calls originated. Iasimone was arrested Monday and charged with more than 1,800 counts of crank or obscene telephone calls. He was released on $2,500 cash bail yesterday. Iasimone has been arrested before. In 1999, he was arrested for violation of a no-contact order in Cranston and domestic assault and crank/obscene calls in Coventry. On both occasions, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to probation and to attend a special program. LaBelle said the penalty for making a false call to 911 is punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or a year in jail. LaBelle estimates that Porno Man's calls took about 90 hours of operators' time. The police arrested another obscene 911 caller back in June, but LaBelle said that one wasn't as prolific as Porno Man. The other man only called a few hundred times.

Talk about an idiot!! (Article is 2 posts down) This moron should know by now that Big Brother is watching! Glad he's out of the picture, but I have a feeling he's not done yet.

Not sure if mine would work, but I'll give it a shot. This was my bug after a climb up Mt. Washington. Thanks for the opportunity to enter. btlgrl

Yes, along with the sun's poles reversing, scientists also believe that it has to do with the sun shedding its outer layer during this period. This coincides with the 11-year cycle, and the increase in magnitude of the CMEs. Yes, this is along the lines of what I had meantioned. The geologists who have studied the magnetic orientation of metals in rocks have noticed the pattern of reversal in various layers, leading them to believe that if we should be following the same pattern, we are long overdue. The reversal does take a long time to happen, but during that time where the poles are moving is when the most dramatic effects will take place, as you mentioned. EraSeek, you are very knowledgeable in this area. Does this follow your line of work, or is it just an area of interest? For myself, I hold a workshop on Space Weather for area school children. Just wondering. btlgrl

The storms from last year are responsible for the failure of Japan's mission to Mars. The blast was so powerful, it knocked out the power and communication systems. The government, along with the ESA (European Space Agency), has really stepped up the monitoring of these occurences. As our magnetic field continues to weaken, studies have shown that the magnetic poles of the Earth will eventually flip (this is a proven natural occurance, which we are quite a few thousand years overdue for), also affecting gps systems, compasses, and exposing us to harmful radiation. The poles will not flip instantly, instead leaving areas of polar radiation concentration over areas around the world, as it works its way towards its new position. In other words, many who have never seen an aurora, probably will. No one can say for sure when this will happen, but anyone can see how the position of magnetic north has moved, and is still moving. Really amazing stuff! btlgrl

These storms are a big issue nowadays. They affect not only satellite transmissions, but they can affect aircraft communications. A large CME was responsible for a large blackout in Canada and the northeastern US back in 1998. It fried a transformer station. Scientists are a bit concerned about these storms for a couple reasons. First of all, they usually follow an 11-year cycle. Right now we should be at a solar minimum, but the storms lately have been unusually strong. Secondly, the Earth's magnetic field, which protects us from these blasts has weakened, leaving open the possibility of dangerous radiation exposure. Check out Spaceweather.com for more details. It really is an important issue when you consider how many of us rely on satellites for everything from GPS, communication, defense, etc. btlgrl

Sorry, I didn't realize this had been done before. My bad. I did return to the cache site today, and I did find it. It was off in a corner of the site, so someone could get to it without disturbing the graves. Otherwise, I did enjoy reading the headstones (the ones that were still standing, that is ). They are great historical references, and I agree with those of you who think it's a good idea to bring attention to them. This one is in horrible shape. Once again, sorry for bulldozing the horse over the head with this one. I'll try to do a better topic search next time. Thanks btlgrl

Oh, that Sparky!! I've seen that cat in the forums before. It ROCKS!! Reminds me of when I used to wash my cat in the sink. She soon started looking like some sick, drowned rat.

I hope it wasn't sparky (if that is your cat), because he/she wouldn't be of much use to you now! I saw BONES!!!!

I would Imagine that not very much in this world would be afraid of your dog!!

Sure, but you've got that awesome dog to keep watch!!

I was just wondering if anyone else gets a little freaked out when you have to head into a cemetery to cache? I went to one the other day. It was a small historical cemetery near an old stone wall. I was hoping it would be hidden outside the perimeter, but my GPS device told me otherwise. So I made the sign of the cross, and headed in. I lasted only five minutes in there, because as I rounded two toppled headstones, I came across a dead cat! I'm thinking Satan worship, so I made tracks. Are there a lot of these around, and are there any rules about them, especially historic ones? Btlgrl

I like this post. I've been in and out of a few in the past few days where I felt I may need to send a couple people to their respective corners! Much love, though. Much love. We all need to vent once in a while, but we also need to balance it out, so here goes: I like geocaching. I'm very new at this, but you guys have all been great. (You answered more than a couple of my stupid questions! I like the idea that geocaching has given me a bunch of new places in my state to visit. Being that I live in Rhode Island, I'm not sure what that says about me. I especially like the idea that I can finally justify the fact that I own a GPS (Rhode Island, remember!) Well, that's all I've got for right now, so much love to all, and HAPPY GEOCACHING!!!!!!!! Btlgrl :0

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery. And as far as airbags go, they ARE life-savers. My VW Bug was broadsided a while back, but the side airbags deployed, preventing my head from going through my driver's side window. My uncle wasn't so lucky though. He was sitting too close to the door, and the force of his side airbag fractured his ribs. I hate to hear when anyone has been hurt, but am relieved to hear she's doing better. Good luck to you both, and although I don't know you, you will be in my prayers.

I'm a girl, as well as being a newbie to this. I stumbled upon it through my Volkswagen Club membership, and I'm very thankful that I did! It's a great way to spend an afternoon, especially when you have the opportunity to visit an area you may have not considered otherwise. My Bug and I have a blast! Sunroof open, CD's spinning, and GPS scanning! YEAH!! btlgrl

I was having trouble with my serial port as well, so I went out and got a serial-to-USB adapter, and I have not had any trouble since. I can't say for sure if this will work for you, and I would not suggest that you go out and spend @ 40 for something that may not work. It may be worth a shot though. You could always return it to the store. Good luck! btlgrl

Yes,you can purchase a serial>usb adapter from most computer stores. I just picked one up for $39.99 at Comp USA. It is from a company called Keyspan. If you can't find it at the store, try their websie at www.keyspan.com. The set-up was very easy. Good Luck btlgrl

I hope someone knows the answer to this. Thank you if you do! I just purchased Mapsend for my Magellan Sport Track Pro. It has been installed, but when I try to configure a route using two waypoints, it only draws a straight line between the two points (and I refuse to swim from Massachusets to Maine, no matter what it says!). Does anyone know how to configure the route so it will follow road directions instead? Thanks, guys. btlgrl

I was able to set up my GPS, and S&T recognized it. I was wondering if the routes that I plan out can be sent to my device, I could not figure that part out. Thanks for the help everyone!

I will also be in Italy in October. I will be visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, Assisi, and Verona. I am hoping to start a travel bug there, and see if it can find its way back. I will also be checking in to see if there are any TB's there that need passage to the states. If anyone has any good suggestions, let me know!

I am new to geocaching, so I would like to know if any of you out there can help. I have a Magellan Sport Track Pro, and I also S&T on my laptop. It lists gps as an option, but it does not let me access it. Can it be used with my device, and how? Any help you guys may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, btlgrl

I am new to geocaching, and I have been exploring this website for tips. I have noticed some geocaching organizations in various states and regions. Are there any such groups in or around Rhode Island? It seems like this activity would be lots more fun in a group. I am very happy to have come across geocaching. It is an awesome idea!!

Thanks for the advice so far. I am planning on taking the next couple days to find as many caches in my area as I can. I hope my friend decides to come along (she said she would, but I've heard that before). Unfortunately, anything involving leaving a main road is frightening to her! If she won't come, I still plan on heading out anyway. I'm looking forward to it!

Hello everyone! I actually stumbled upon this website through my Volkswagen Club membership. I've had my Magellan Sport Track Pro for about eight months now, and never knew this option of use was available. It's very exciting!! I am considering a project with one of my afterschool programs to include making and monitoring a cache. I figure it's a fun way to learn about longitude and latitude, navigation, and plotting. I was just wondering how long it takes for a cache to become active once it has been registered? I just want to make sure we have time to get some visitors before the end of the six-week program. Any advice you may have for packing the cache would also be appreciated. I plan on using my GPS alot more now!! Thanks.