A Linux powered AR15 rifle

[MannDude]

As a gun owner/enthusiast and as an obvious Linux / tech dude, TrackingPoint's products have always intrigued me. While absolutely expensive, and arguably 'cheating' when it comes to using the technology while hunting, you can not deny the fact it's a pretty neat use of Linux! Regardless if you hate guns, love guns, or feel entirely indifferent you'll probably find the article interesting.

Read more about it here: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/08/gun-linux-on-the-range-with-trackingpoints-new-ar-15s/

I remember watching some videos of it's use last year when some folks went hunting in Africa and were doing some real long-range shots and hitting their targets. This in itself is questionable as those who partake in that sort of hunting ( I don't ) consider it a 'sport'. To me, that'd be like lowering the goal and widening the diameter of a hoop in a basketball game to make it easier to score.

Still neat technology, even if it's used for something that you don't like. There is a lot of information to consider when sending a bullet downrange, and hitting a target at such a long distance would normally be something to brag about as it'd require a good bit of skill and knowledge. The TrackingPoint device seemingly takes this away as it can factor in variables to get the shot on mark each time.

Let's not turn this into a flamewar either. We've already got a where you can do that. Just posting this as it's an interesting and unique use for Linux. 

 

[serverian]

This is wrong in so many ways. I doubt more than 0.1% of the developers who committed code into GNU/Linux would want their code to be running on a gun.

 

[drmike]

This is wrong in so many ways. I doubt more than 0.1% of the developers who committed code into GNU/Linux would want their code to be running on a gun.

Frankly, open source and related free to reuse licensing has to be open to such.

I am pretty sure DARPA / US military financed the internet, original video games, etc.  All of that leant to and directly in places funded GNU/Linux and a multitude of tech companies.

As for the weapon, it is a disgrace.   Inevitably idiots hunting prized animals for their collection will buy such and the tech will show up in militaries around the world to snipe people from afar.

Here's to lots of defensive EMP weapons.

 

[Francisco]

What?! 5000!?

Francisco

 

[Steven F]

This is the perfect weapon to defend against zombies. No risk of human life, as long as you can just feed bullets in. It's magnificent.

 

[MannDude]

This is the perfect weapon to defend against zombies. No risk of human life, as long as you can just feed bullets in. It's magnificent.

It's quite heavy and isn't really something that is mobile enough to be used to hit a vast amount of moving targets. Unless we're talking just one, two or three zombies slowly moving around at a distance, then sure.

 

[Shados]

Huh, kind of reminds me of the appearance of the crossbow back in medieval times: suddenly you have a weapon that is effective at range and requires comparatively no skill to operate. Unlike being a motherfucking knight.

 

[blergh]

I don't see how it making it easier to shoot shit makes it "cheating".

 

[MannDude]

I don't see how it making it easier to shoot shit makes it "cheating".

It just takes the calculations out of the equation for long distance shooting. If you want to hit a target at 1,000 yards, you don't have do the calculations for environmental aspects such as wind, temperature and elevation or for things related to the actual round that is being shot either. I would imagine that is all auto-calculated or punched in by the operator.

Then again, the people who would buy these things aren't your average hobbyist so I suppose it's safe to say that if you're dropping thousands of dollars on such a setup, then you probably are already a pretty good shot at distance.

I'm sure these would be banned at competition shooting events too. No one wants to compete against the guy with the computer assisted rifle who is hitting the target with each pull of the trigger. That's no fun and completely takes away the challenge.

EDIT: Just so we're all clear here. Rifles are used for actual sport, too. Like, shooting competitions at non-living targets, and stuff... So when I say 'cheating', I'm referring to competitions and not general hunting... unless you hunt for sport (which I don't personally condone).

EDIT 2: Here is some examples of what needs to be considered and calculated by long range shooters: http://www.millettsights.com/resources/shooting-tips/mathematics-for-precision-shooters/ . 

 

[raindog308]

This is wrong in so many ways. I doubt more than 0.1% of the developers who committed code into GNU/Linux would want their code to be running on a gun.

You are so wrong I laughed out loud.  You really should look up Eric S. Raymond some time.

Most Linux hackers I've known are fairly bright people and wouldn't have such a narrow point of view.  If you think guns are somehow immoral, bad, or evil or any association with them is "something I wouldn't want my code running on", then I question why your heart is so full of hate.

 

[Aldryic C'boas]

Maybe he's secretly Batman >_>

 

[serverian]

You are so wrong I laughed out loud.  You really should look up Eric S. Raymond some time.

Most Linux hackers I've known are fairly bright people and wouldn't have such a narrow point of view.  If you think guns are somehow immoral, bad, or evil or any association with them is "something I wouldn't want my code running on", then I question why your heart is so full of hate.

No, I'm not going to discuss about firearms with an American. It's your right. Guns are necessary for you.

 

[Aldryic C'boas]

Hah, wow, way to cache an insult.  There's pros and cons to each side of the argument, but it boils down to the individual, not the tool used.

If you're not going to discuss about X though, perhaps also have the courtesy to not blithely insult the person you're talking to when refusing to discuss a topic.  Just accept that different countries have different cultures, and move on with your life.

 

[serverian]

Oh, so, "not being bright", "being narrow minded", "having a heart full of hate" are not insults?

 

[MannDude]

Different strokes for different folks. Different parts of the world will have different aspects of their culture that is normal to them and strange for others. It's not right or wrong in the grand scheme of things, it's just how it is, for them, in their time and place.

Also: Everyone behave.

 

[serverian]

I'm well aware of the "cultural" differences and different point of views on the firearms subject. However, people are having issues to realize that GNU/Linux is not an American product. And not all the "Linux Hackers" are American.

Anyways..

 

[Aldryic C'boas]

Oh, so, "not being bright", "being narrow minded", "having a heart full of hate" are not insults?

Sure, if you wish to interpret them as such.  Note though that he's attributing those character flaws to you directly, and not every resident of your country.

 

[MannDude]

I'm well aware of the "cultural" differences and different point of views on the firearms subject. However, people are having issues to realize that GNU/Linux is not an American product. And not all the "Linux Hackers" are American.

Anyways..

Then why be more upset about Linux used on a rifle than be upset for Linux used to power a webserver that hosts CP or videos of extremist beheading people? That is a much more common use in comparison.

Somehow, I do not believe developers are losing sleep over all the bad things that can be done with the code they helped contribute, but it would actually be really interesting to learn what they'd think.

 

[MannDude]

And we don't even know where all Linux is used, so it could very well be used for things that you may also consider wrong. It could be used by a military or government for the design and simulation testing of a new weapon of war, it could be used in an abortion clinic to keep track of patients or finances, or it can be used to make what I personally consider the most heinous and extreme example of 'wrong': Hannah Montana Linux.

If the developers were concerned with how it'd be used it'd be closed source and they'd issue licenses to those who wish to use it pending that it's use was in agreement with their terms.

 

[serverian]

Sure, if you wish to interpret them as such.  Note though that he's attributing those character flaws to you directly, and not every resident of your country.

He indeed isn't. Instead, he's targeting a bigger population who thinks like me on this matter and all this is based on his country "culture" which is what I'm targeting.

Then why be more upset about Linux used on a rifle than be upset for Linux used to power a webserver that hosts CP or videos of extremist beheading people? That is a much more common use in comparison.

Somehow, I do not believe developers are losing sleep over all the bad things that can be done with the code they helped contribute, but it would actually be really interesting to learn what they'd think.

They are not the same thing. One is using the technology for obvious crimes which are accepted by the common sense of multi-cultures. Just like a knife analogy.

Other one is using the technology to build humanless killing machines which can be potentially used against the people who committed code into.