Confirming our belief that some people are just "bad with computers," a boy named Joe Falciatano III from Pulaski, New York, seems to have simply the worst luck ever -- and some think it could be do to an overly magnetized touch. While using PCs at this elementary school, Joe -- who dubbed himself "Magneto Man" -- found that every system he laid his hands on went totally haywire. Only after a teacher suggested he use a grounded, anti-static wrist strap did the systems experience relief from his Geek Squad-inducing grasp. Apparently, the boy has also disrupted slide show presentations and caused his Xbox to freeze repeatedly. Though tests have been run on Joe, there's still no conclusive evidence about the source of the problem, though at least one electricity expert said the cause could be his over-insulated shoes. Maybe, but we won't be surprised when he forms an army of mutant super-villains and tries to take control of the White House. Check the video after the break for the whole report.
[Via
ScienCentral]
posted Mar 2nd 2008 11:10PM
It's clearly Windows.
haha, i believe this explanation actually explains a lot
I'm not convinced the kid has done anything. He's just using the top row of number keys, and tapping caps lock. Caps lock doesn't work on the top row of number keys. No doubt he has figured out a way to lock the shift key.
He's toying with these guys to get some attention.
LOL ITS NOVELL.... the suckiest client schools use... lol
Yeah, it's not the caps lock, it looks like he simply changed the font size.
This is another kids claims of special-ness just to get attention.
I must admit the kid had that look that most kids get when they're not telling the whole story. But, I don't know if it's that he found out how to "lock the shift key," I don't think that's possible.. is it?
@giantenemycrab
Sticky Keys. Press shift five times in windows.
QuickTime sucks!
Video worked fine for me!
/mac user :-P
/me Windows XP user who refuses to install QuickTime (Or iTunes)...
So, mike youre one a those guys who refuses apple all together and doesn't realize what youre missing?
I was the same way. Now the only microsoft product in my house is my 360. Your time will come
I agree, I really dislike QuickTime. It tried to take over as my default player for everything, so I uninstalled it as best I could. My only problem now occurs when someone feels the need to post a Quicktime vid and my browser (IE7 on Win XP) tells me the mimo-whatever associations are lost - or some goobledy gook that I simply don't care to deal with. I use an iMac at work, I carry a 4G eee in my bag, and I use this Win box when I feel like editing photos or my web page. QuickTime chafes my a*se - sorry, rant over.
Yeah, quicktime does suck, very buggy
/mac user using firefox
"me Windows XP user who refuses to install QuickTime (Or iTunes)..."
Me too...
Aw, come on. That video played perfectly and looked nice and clear. Much better than that youtube crud.
They should have him use Macs. Then he wouldn't have the problem of his computers breaking down.
/me Vista with Quicktime Alternative; FTW.
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/QuickTime_Alternative.htm
/Also, I hate Quicktime.
@ austin: you're one a those guys who refuses Microsoft all together and doesn't realize what you're missing? I was the same way. Now I have nothing Apple in my house. Your time will come.
anyone managed to view this clip on vista x64? apparently mac software is only good in mac enviroment.
I personally want to welcome are coming overlords of mutants...
suffer in silence then or use quicktimealternative.
"me Windows XP user who refuses to install QuickTime (Or iTunes)..."
ditto.
@Purezerg
Yep, and it was ok, except for bad sound quality, lots of static (ironic, eh?)
As much as I don't like quicktime, the video quality is better than youtube etc.
I refuse to install quicktime because of
1) the horrible way it handles mp3 links in browser
2) quick time agent in system tray
3) itunes
4) "you should update itunes" (what? i dont weven want to use itunes!)
5) interface inconsistent with windows.
I call it anti-halo effect.
FANBOYISM SUCKS
Stop just adhering to and ignoring brands and use WHAT WORKS FOR YOU.
If an iPhone, a Dell, and a PS3 works for you, or a Symbian, iMac, and Wii, or whatever combination, then do it.
Stop going on on a holy war like the other guy is the spawn of Satan unless you're on commission.
Works fine for me. Using Linux... MPlayer ftw
I totally agree. Firefox and Quicktime don't work very well together on Windows. I have Quicktime installed, but Firefox won't find it. It will try to install it again, and it will fail. A manual install won't work either.
Please let us all stick to Flash video - the only Internet video format that always works everywhere.
Mike, you're living in the past. Install quicktime you silly bastard.
I refuse to become a part of apple's "iLife"
1. Because it soudns so lame,
2. Because of the scalf wearing-art students who use the products.
Also, QuickTime always crashes my firefox when I'm looking at por....t holes
Woah, that was really a sore subject huh? Seriously I don't see what's wrong with qt. I live by a simple rule, when I run Windows I have qt installed and when I run OS X I have codecs for wmv installed. So then both platforms works with both movietypes. Whatcha people crying about?
worked perfectly on ubuntu with VLC
at least it's not a Realcrap video format that you can only read with f***ng Real Player!!!
I'd hate to just add to this spamchain and beat the dead horse but really, there's a lot of people not using QuickTime and for good reason - I too uninstalled it so it would not take over my media.
@dfgsdfsdf
on Microsoft Windows Vista... RIGHT?
At least you have the choice to uninstall Quicktime if you want, unlike WMP that CAN'T BE UNINSTALLED!
I wouldn't need to uninstall quicktime if it didn't ask me to update my iTunes (which I don't use or have installed) every single week. That's why I won't install Quicktime, not because it's an Apple product.
@CosterMonger: No, on XP.
To add to the cacophony:
Quicktime Alternative FTW.
If I wanted to use Apples crap, I'd get on my fiance's Mac.
I tried QT ONCE, and it took over my whole system it seemed. I did a fresh install of XP just to get rid of it all (uninstall does not get rid of it all!)
I don't mean to be a (OMG ENGADGETS BIASEDED TO APPLE PRODUCTS OMG TOO MUCH IPHONE NOOZ)but, couldnt they get the vid up there on something other than quicktime?
I love how there is almost more comments on quick time than the actual story..
Its a load of crap (the kid) .. its called sticky keys...
another good one is ctrl + alt + arrow keys... (win xp) tell them your monitor broke and you need a better one... I heard it almost never happens to a 26" monitor....;)
Screw you, Quicktime is awesome. It's lightyears beyond windows-fucking-media. Windows media is always extremely buggy no matter what it's on. I've had a PC before and I have no damn idea what you people are complaining about. If you don't want Quicktime as the primary player, there's an option to disable it. Quicktime is the only non-buggy video player around, flash players are low quality, time out, and don't consistently work.
Quicktime does suck, on my Windows box. I never found using the Quicktime player practical on the PC, when I could just download the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, and use Media Player Classic as my default player for anything video. I was surprised though, to find out that on my Mac, it's a completely different story. Quicktime suits my needs as a MPC replacement, when paired with Flip4Mac, and Perian, which which allow Quicktime to play most file extensions. Quicktime, along with iTunes, and especially Safari, are easily several times faster and lighter on the Mac, and more stable than their Windows counterparts. Quicktime on the PC is a no for me. As are Safari and iTunes, which are replaced by Firefox and WinAMP. This is how I use my applications. My operating systems, my life. Just because I've found that my method works for me, I'm not going to try and justify it as the be-all-end-all solution to everyone's life, nor am I going to push my views on others. Use what you find works for you, and you only. And stop the ridiculous fanboyism, as all it succeeds in doing is hurting the feelings of one person after another.
@Lazarus Dark: You formatted your PC because you didn't know how to remove Quicktime? Wow, way to be dramatic for the sake of emphasizing a point.
I'm not pro- quicktime (divx stage 6 is my preferred web player, tho not all that common), but seriously- the quality was MUCH higher than youtube. And i'm running a PIII w/ windows xp.
So Be Kind Rewind *was* based on a true story!
AFROTC or CAP??
CAP. Joinin the Marines in December though =)
Bet you a Mac and a PS3 wouldn't go haywire! ;)
Graham, Godspeed with your plans for the Marines.
I am a CAP SAR/DR pilot.
You get over this way our CAP sqdn meets at Cherry Point 1830 Tuesdays.
Granny out.
thanks alot. Yea I will have to try and make it up there some time. Im down in florida at the squadron at Patrick AFB.
My god, I hope this kid gets a job in a cubicle and a camera.
If he had magnetic powers, the monitor would flip out with rainbow colors on the sides. I say this kid is pulling a smart prank on everybody, he sounds like someone who would such thing.
Yea, a keyboard typing symbols when caps key isn't on doesn't sound like magnetic powers. I thought this meant he messed up computers, not just having random keyes
But the electrician thought it was static electricity, not magnetism, and static electricity doesn't distort the picture on a CRT monitor.
@ jordan: if that boy had enough amount of static electricity in his body that can destroy a keyboard, anyone touches him will get enough electrical shocks to make them realize that there is something wrong about the boy! The keyboard is plastic, and they already include electricity, the whole thing just doesn't add up.
I say, this electrician has payed the small boy something and taught him a trick so that his parents would call the electrician for "testing" sessions. :p
Haha, so true, they really ought to log him on as a different user, I see that the PCs are using novell, so settings could just be screwy on his user.
On the other hand, I had this happen when a friend of mine had the awesomely stupid idea of putting a plasma ball on top of my monitor (back when I had a CRT), only, the keyboard didn't have to be touched, it even happened if just the ball was touched.
STICKY KEYS!
Little bastard...
I can't believe everyone's falling for this. Press the shift key 5 times.
But I thought sticky keys only work once, instead of continuously on the same key.
But I thought sticky keys only work once, instead of continuously on the same key.
I guess I'm just to skeptical... I'm not buying the story...
---
"He might be in Microsoft Word and suddenly he would be unable to change the font. Or if he highlighted something, he couldn't un-highlight it. Or he would get the upper symbols on the number keys without using the shift key. Or he'd save something then couldn't get it back."
---
Seems a little far fetched.
'power user gains superpower: the ability to see how bad microsoft code sucks'
Man, can I be famous, too??
None of these things sound out of the ordinary at all.
Adding up all the comments, sounds like the kid has StickyKeys turned on in his profile and everybody's too computer-illiterate to realize it. Somebody wail on his shift key 5 times and turn it off.
Problems with this:
A) Magnets do not effect keyboards
B) Magnets do drastically and obviously effect CRT monitors
C) The caps lock key has nothing to do with 2s vs @ signs.
I'm sure there are more, but I'm tired.
Indeed. My first thought was that the shift key was stuck, not that caps lock was on. It could simply be the model of keyboard that has problems... schools would buy them in bulk. Maybe some way that particular kid hits the shift key makes it stick or breaks it on that keyboard.
Of course if it's also happening at home (this is only hinted at) then that theory flies out the window.
Caps lock may have no effect on 2 vs @, but MS's "StickyKeys" accessibility option does.
IIRC, you press Control 5 times, and it brings up a dialog.
worst. superhero power. ever.
mutants are real...
"Wonder Twin Powers, ACTIVATE! Form of... AN ICE UNICYCLE!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qTRzxFz6c
I don't think an Xbox freezing in conclusive evidence of anything, lol. I guess im a super mutant, im on my 3rd one.
I wonder if ESD shoes would help.. Granted this would mean whatever computer work station he's using would also have to have the proper floor tile to allow the shoes to do their job. I'd doubt his school would pay to do this for one kid.. But he might be able to get away with that at home.. At lease his future Xbox replacement would be safe. :)
I sure hope theyve tried tests with his glasses off... because he could have super magnetic glasses or something like that... its possible...
This kid even conned his parents into switching out his Xbox for an Xbox 360!
One of my teachers in high school told me he taught a girl who would have the exact same problem, no matter what she would do the computers would lock up on her or start doing odd things like this kid.
You... You don't actually believe this do you? Well I happen to have an alien in my basement, wire me 5 grand and I'll give you my address so you can see him.
One word. FAKE
This kid just came up with an elaborate plan to get out of doing any more homework-- ever. Would like to know how he pulled it off though.
Sticky keys.
"could be his over insulated shoes"
who the hell wears shoes when they play xbox?
"who the hell wears shoes when they play xbox?"
Who the hell is incredulous that someone wears shoes when they play XBOX?
Who the hell wears pants when the play xbox?
@rlynd3
Ummm. Most of us do.
@ IndiaTech
I wouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly.
Engadget Poll!
@ IndiaTech
Who the hell injects humorous exaggerations into their comments?
1. The "electricity investigator" guy is clearly also a freelance ghostbuster.
2. If they're going to investigate this "scientifically," they can do better than this. Have him type on a wireless keyboard from across the room. Have him sit next to a PC while a classmate tries to work on it. Get him a wool sweater, some dry carpet, let him rub his feet real fast, and wait for the lighting.
3. Stop snorting the iron, kid.
i wish i had his "super power" so i can mess up all the computers in my school so we can finally get new ones.
The Libre quicktime codec doesn't play this with sound.
Apple must ignore us for the sake of their business.
Don't. Use. Quicktime. Use flash, theora, dirac, /something/.. _not_ quicktime. That is all.
Lol, you guys just don't get it..First Widnows, then Xbox..It's all Microsoft's products. Let him touch Ubuntu or somehting...This just shows how secure MS products are. xD
...yeah, wait until the Ubuntu ps3 port is back on it's feet, then kill two birds with one stone.
"im famous...YESSS!!!"
Sounds like he's playing a smart prank on that old woman. Is that vista that keeps freaking out??? LOL
Smart Kid
Congratulations Western World Media. You have single-handedly made a normal 12 year old famous by not doing your research again. This is easy to pull off, it is a shift key sticky
I love how at the end, he boasts about being famous.
@ Joshua Topolsky: WTF? I RTFA and you made him sound like some sort of super hero.
Slow news day.
people that play xbox
People that use the reply button.
FALSE.
The frigging IIS users that code this site.
shocking...
Whats the sticky keys combo?
I forgot about those except for the 5x shift... but that doesnt do anything.
This kid probably spent his summer finding a technique, and then came to school and busted it out... the only thing now is the xbox... which he probably just fakes his parents out with another combo.
hes getting himself into too much... it will risk his parents trust forever
Hitting both shift keys.
What does that enable him to do?
And is it hitting those keys just once or multiple times?
Wow I never thought of using sticky keys to "break" computers before
This kid is a great con artist, can't wait to sign him up for my team to infiltrate the Playboy Mansion and convince everyone I'm Hugh Hefner.
So, Engadget, whatever happened to the kid whose parents faked buy him and Xbox 360?
@ Quicktime h8ers - if you're still on windoze, use the Quicktime Alternative Codec. Lets you use media player to watch the clips.
@ Mac Users - If you're on Mac, get real, you prolly live in the burbs and drive a nice car. Fine, I'm generalizing, but you're wasting your money.
@ Everybody else - Ubuntu - Linux for Humans. =D