Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet • Hacker News Board

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#51

Post by Scoundreller » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:05 PM UTC

appleiigs wrote: post #36

cortesoft wrote: post #26

> Obviously, some students thought that fee was ridiculous – just like paying for parking at a university where you’re already paying a hefty tuition fee I hate parking fees as much as the next person, and totally appreciate the creativity of the people who defeated this device. However, how should we handle distributing a limited number of parking spaces when there are more people who want to park than available spa…

Isn’t “first come first serve” fair?

No, it leads to people with 10AM classes arriving before 9AM for the free parking, which just worsens the problem.

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#52

Post by gonehome » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:06 PM UTC

cortesoft wrote: post #26

> Obviously, some students thought that fee was ridiculous – just like paying for parking at a university where you’re already paying a hefty tuition fee I hate parking fees as much as the next person, and totally appreciate the creativity of the people who defeated this device. However, how should we handle distributing a limited number of parking spaces when there are more people who want to park than available spa…

If if I was trying to solve this problem and actually cared about the students I would do some capacity based pricing.

Almost always free, as you approach parking capacity price increases. You could probably also set up a system to text people who have been there more than X hours that they will start to be charged due to high capacity.

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#53

Post by jjeaff » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:07 PM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #45

legohead wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They wouldn't have to resort to any shenanigans if parking on campus was free for students.

Why are these people driving to college in the first place? Take public transport.

It's Oklahoma. The city is likely very spread out and even if there are public transport options, you will need a vehicle to get to and from the bus stop.

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#54

Post by onei » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:07 PM UTC

appleiigs wrote: post #36

cortesoft wrote: post #26

> Obviously, some students thought that fee was ridiculous – just like paying for parking at a university where you’re already paying a hefty tuition fee I hate parking fees as much as the next person, and totally appreciate the creativity of the people who defeated this device. However, how should we handle distributing a limited number of parking spaces when there are more people who want to park than available spa…

Isn’t “first come first serve” fair?

Not really. Let's imagine students live off campus and commute in each day. If they have lectures at the start of the day, then you'll get a space. But if you have one lecture at 3pm on a given day and don't elect to spend the entire day on campus then you're likely unable to get a parking space.

First come, first served works fine if you all start at the same time but I found you're often at the mercy of timetabling.

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#55

Post by superturkey650 » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:07 PM UTC

appleiigs wrote: post #36

cortesoft wrote: post #26

> Obviously, some students thought that fee was ridiculous – just like paying for parking at a university where you’re already paying a hefty tuition fee I hate parking fees as much as the next person, and totally appreciate the creativity of the people who defeated this device. However, how should we handle distributing a limited number of parking spaces when there are more people who want to park than available spa…

Isn’t “first come first serve” fair?

Wouldnt that unfairly weight parking spots to those with early classes? Not all classes have a variety of times available

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#56

Post by cortesoft » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:07 PM UTC

appleiigs wrote: post #36

cortesoft wrote: post #26

> Obviously, some students thought that fee was ridiculous – just like paying for parking at a university where you’re already paying a hefty tuition fee I hate parking fees as much as the next person, and totally appreciate the creativity of the people who defeated this device. However, how should we handle distributing a limited number of parking spaces when there are more people who want to park than available spa…

Isn’t “first come first serve” fair?

It is 'fair' in some senses and not others... it means if you are a student with later classes, you are less likely to get parking.

It also means you can't plan effectively. If half the time, you show up to class and can't park anywhere, how can you make it to class on time consistently?

If your answer is "well, maybe you should take public transportation instead of driving", how is that any better for students than charging for parking?

If you charge for parking, you are at least giving students a choice and the ability to make an informed decision: "is it better to drive and pay $x to park, or save money and take public transportation?"

If you have free parking that is often full, your choice is "take public transportation or have a x% chance of not being able to park and missing class"

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#57

Post by Thriptic » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:08 PM UTC

awillen wrote: post #6

"a user who found out his campus only had 12 wheel boots to go around and bought and illegally parked 12 scrapyard cars that could be “sacrificed” so everyone else could park however they wanted." Not all heroes wear capes.

Junkyard denial of service, amazing

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#58

Post by Scoundreller » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:08 PM UTC

imglorp wrote: post #39

eptcyka wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't believe campus police actually has any legal power. It also isn't the police department's SIM card, Barnacle owns it - of course it's still considered theft.

It's worse than legal trouble. They hold your graduation until you return all library books, pay all debts, fines, and interest, etc etc.

The usual trick is to drive someone else’s car. (Mom’s or dad’s).

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#59

Post by sumoboy » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:08 PM UTC

teej wrote: post #33

chrisseaton wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is everyone in this thread celebrating people who park selfishly?! Taking up spaces with abandoned cars is a particularly miserable thing to do that makes the original underlying problem worse!

Because using scrap cars to exhaust the barnacle supply is a hilarious way to hack the system for the benefit of other students.

Placing them on faculty cars, especially the dean's would have been the ultimate prank.

Re: Students defeat new 'Barnacle' parking clamp, skip fines and get free internet

#60

Post by phkahler » Sat, Jan 18, 2020, 5:08 PM UTC

AJ007 wrote: post #16

hn_throwaway_99 wrote: post #2

OK, the actual design of the thing where it just uses suction is incredibly idiotic, but the kid who got free wireless internet for months by taking its sim card - that's pretty brilliant.

The SIM card thing might be a felony.

Didnt a court recently rule that someone taking off a GPS tracker (and throwing it away?) was not theft? My memory is fuzzy on that one.