A new tool to assist Mexican migrant workers safely cross over the border into the United States has been developed by Ricardo Dominguez of the University of California in San Diego. Dominguez, an activist/hacker and performance artist cobbled together a cheap mobile phone and a free GPS application to make the “Transborder Immigrant Tool”.
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Dominguez explains:
We looked at the Motorola i455 cell phone, which is under $30, available even cheaper on eBay, and includes a free GPS applet. We were able to crack it and create a simple compasslike navigation system. We were also able to add other information, like where to find water left by the Border Angels, where to find Quaker help centers that will wrap your feet, how far you are from the highway—things to make the application really benefit individuals who are crossing the border.
Vice Magazine: “FOLLOW THE GPS, ÉSE”
[via Mutate!]
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It looks like that they no longer need a high tide to cross the border! Looks like a nice gadget!
November 17th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Heroic!
November 18th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Heroic!
November 18th, 2009 at 12:37 am
I think if someone is arrested with his applet he should be arrested as an accessory for facilitating a crime with intent…
He confessed when he said “…benefit individuals who are crossing the border.”
If he said “anyone out in the desert”, he could explain away that he was talking about people who are NOT crossing the borders with a wink, but he was pretty explicit…
cnredd
Political Wrinkles
http://politicalwrinkles.com
November 18th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Heroic, my ass. The people who will really be using this tool are drug smugglers, human trafficers, etc. How about he uses his time effectively by changing laws and working with non-profits. Dominguez is effectively hurting the same people he thinks needs help and organizations already working to help them. Grow up.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Yeah Kara, Drug smugglers and human traffickers need a cheap GPS device to safely cross the border. That’s why up until now they’ve just wandered aimlessly in the desert and were never able to successfully smuggle drugs or people into this country.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
@cnreed
He confessed when he said “…benefit individuals who are crossing the border.”
He is pretty explicit, any individual can cross a boarder, even a legal individual can do it… you just see what you want to see.
He does not say he approves illegal immigrants, he just want to save lives.
and @Kara for me that is heoric.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:00 am
We should charge there country $15,000 to return them as a trespassing fine.They will stop.Till then feel free to express your feeling as i do.
http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/1147260264/Shoot_the_Illegal_Immigrants
November 20th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
We should charge there country $15,000 to return them as a trespassing fine.They will stop.Helping save a life while helping someone break the law is not heroic.Would it be heroic for me to help a killer trying to kill you by watching out for the police.Don’t be a dumb ass KARA.The minute one of these illegals broke into your house you would be on 911 crying like a bitch.Why not when they BREAK into our country.Till then feel free to express your feeling as i do.
http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/1147260264/Shoot_the_Illegal_Immigrants
November 20th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
What’s to stop Border Patrol from getting access to this and staking out the spots?
November 20th, 2009 at 10:52 pm