Yes and no.
Coworking spaces exist but there's nothing like not being interrupted to supposedly "watch someone's laptop"* when you're trying to get things done.
* You should take a picture of it and list it for sale on Craiglist as part of a joke.
Coworking spaces exist but there's nothing like not being interrupted to supposedly "watch someone's laptop"* when you're trying to get things done.
* You should take a picture of it and list it for sale on Craiglist as part of a joke.
I'm that guy. Whenever I need to work in a coffee shop, I ask this of a coworker. Do you really feel like it's too intrusive? I never thought it would be a problem.
Getting upset at something is similar to people getting upset when they're bumped on public transport. You're in a cramped space, that's moving, and that people are entering and leaving, what else would you expect?
I mean if people assume you are going to watch over their stuff like it's your own, it's the right thing to do right?
I would suggest they just take it with them, I would not leave mine laying out for other's to watch.
Maybe I should of suggested having a battery powered 360 camera on hand, perhaps shaped like the blue yeti microphones and painted like an eye?
Surely there is or one could be made / adapted to have an app where they can watch their laptop from the loo.. or rewind and see if anyone got near it. Maybe just a battery for a wise cam that can last 20 minutes. That way storage and app is and detection is already done.
Put into a minion or sauron tower / all seeing eye and it would be easy to keep an eye on it while keeping your eyes to your own projects.
Of course I would help keep an eye out, but I would also like to help that person with other security / safety measure too, so they would be more secure in the future -
I think some people need a little auto-flag / light that pops up saying "I'm in the zone, don't break my flow" - I can relate to working on a thing and several side issues pop up that remain in short-term attention memory while changing code.. and getting through the mental checklist - and then get interrupted by family.. and try to come back and spend an extra 20-30 minutes trying to remember..
I could of closed my door, and should have - so it's not their fault.. so I see both sides of it. Generally speaking I would prefer to be social and helpful and can get my groove / flow back anyhow - so certainly being available to be present with other humans is often a higher priority. I also understand some others may have deadlines or whatever.
Also - what happens if someone else distracts you and you don't keep an eye on the laptop and something happens to it. Or what happens if two guys in black suits with sunglasses pop in and swap the laptop and look at you and give you the shh and finger gun to the head. I mean, what a predicament to be in.
I know none of that will ever happen, but someone's competition, an ex lover - I mean any sorts of things - many laptops are just value of the hardware sure, but some are data on the device and that could be a lot of responsibility -
I'm just sayin' - if it's not a chromebook, lets get some more layers of security! and an odd "all seeing eye" could not only be semi-cool tech, but a conversation starter if that's part of the appeal of engaging in the 'hey I'm running to the toilet' starter :)
Now, how to make an auto-do-not-disturb- I'm-in-the-zone, not-on-facebook bluetooth light/sign that detects typing in visual-studio/sublime/notepad++/jetbrains vs scrolling some web page. Might need to be more than a red/green light busy/not-to-busy; maybe do-not-bother (writing code)/available-to-chat(reading-perhaps)/please-save-me (I've been on reddit/fbook more than 30 minutes).
On the other hand I want to help others be more secure, and taking a backpack or case to the bathroom is not a huge deal (in most places) - and is generally more secure.
This past week we had some run through the bar at ocharleys a mile from here grabbing purses hanging on bar stools and sitting on tables then run out the door and through a hole in a fence.
It would be shitty to be accused of being in cahoots with someone snatch and grabbing.. and people should be aware that sometimes that person you ask to watch your X will be tempted to steal your X. And more tempted by knowing you are going to the latrine than to the soda machine.
otherwise, i watch others stuff instinctively even without bring asked. like neighborhood watch. you just keep an eye out for each other.