🚀 go-pugleaf

bdenckla@husc10.harvard.edu (Benjamin Denckla) writes:

>This morning I walked in and out of a number of shops with
>anti-shoplifting detectors similar to the security devices they have in
>libraries, i.e. two vertical inverted U-shaped bars on either side of the
>exit.  Then I found that the disk I had been carrying had some errors on
>it which were not there beforehand.  I assume that this is some kind of a
>detector for non-demagnetized, i.e. not bought merchandise.  I have heard
>that the demagnetizing pads on the check out-counter will erase credit
>cards so I try to stay away from them.  But can anyone tell me if my disk
>could have been damaged by the detectors?  Also, how far away should I
>keep magnetic media like disks, credit cards, and DAT's from the
>demagnetizing check out counter pad?  is a foot enough?  If anyone could
>help I would really appreciate this as this is a very scary situation,
>especially without information as to exactly how scared I should be.

>Ben Denckla

Take your tour again, but this time with a pocket compass.  If it
doesn't violently react to the devices, the diskette is probably
safe.  By the way, the reaction I was talking about is one which,
if the compass could talk, it would say boinnnnggggggg!  Normally
the disk would have to be close to the magnet to affect it; or the
magnet would have to be strong enough where you would feel the pull
on your car keys in your pocket.

Dave
-- 
Dave Bushong, Wang Laboratories, Inc.   Amateur Radio Callsign KZ1O
Project Leader, OCR products            kz1o@n0ary.#noca.ca.na
Internet: dbushong@wang.com