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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Your thoughts on lasers and social media

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Nov 6, 2014
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What are your thoughts about showing your lasers to others via social media? I'm just curious as I recently posted a simple picture of a laser that was being pointed skyward and immediately took it down as I got a text from a friend of mine saying that it wasn't legal (it is legal where I live) and that it probably wasn't a good idea to have this posted. So I deleted the post almost immediately.

So, I guess my question is do you ever post pictures of your lasers on social media and if so how do you go about it to insure that everyone understands that it's legal to own such a laser and point it into the sky?

I figure that social media might be bad publicity for the laser enthusiast community if you go about it the wrong way, but could also be beneficial depending on how non-laser enthusiasts view what you post. Anyway, I'll stop blabbing so you guys can post your opinions.
 





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Very good question looking forward to others thoughts. Me I think it's perfectly legal and see no harm sharing pictures. If your just pointing to an empty sky I can't see the problem
 
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Thanks, I'm asking for opinions because I don't think there are any truly black and white answers. I'm just using the opinions of people who have been around lasers longer than I have in order to make up my mind what is acceptable and what isn't.
 
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There are no laws in the U.S. against the use of high power lasers in your back yard (assuming you are over 18 for some states and have a laser license for others). As long as you don't shine the laser at aircraft, people, cars, houses or other people's property, you are just fine and can take and post as many pictures as you want. A lot of people think it is illegal to own such high power devices without actually researching to make sure.

Now, when you purchase a laser from a laser site or talk a lot about your awesome lasers online, you risk being monitored by the government much more heavily. I think my computer with the windows 8 back door (built in by Microsoft) is already being monitored due to by extensive laser and gun searches on Google. I don't like the thought of being spied on but I don't think anyone does. But I am not bothered enough to quit looking at awesome lasers.

Sorry, got a bit off subject..
So my thoughts are go ahead and feel free to post as many awesome laser pictures as you want on Facebook and all those other social media sites. No one can tell you that you can't.
Oh, and if you haven't already, check out Laserpointersafety.com
 
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Its not illegal, pointing at planes however is. (Unless you are in an emergency situation and need rescue - then this too is legal - signalling)
 
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I think the response you got is exactly what says you SHOULD post pictures and such. The statement comes from an uneducated public. Instead of deleting the post you should have taken the opportunity to educate those who would view it.

Those who think it's "illegal" can be informed that it's not. And those who would be interested in owning such devices could be informed about the various safety measures that must be taken.
 
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I think the response you got is exactly what says you SHOULD post pictures and such. The statement comes from an uneducated public. Instead of deleting the post you should have taken the opportunity to educate those who would view it.

Those who think it's "illegal" can be informed that it's not. And those who would be interested in owning such devices could be informed about the various safety measures that must be taken.

I think I might take some pictures from indoors first before posting the picture that I took down earlier.

For reference this is the picture that I posted:


Keep in mind that this picture is taken outside my apartment complex at about 3am and the laser was never shined anywhere but straight into the sky. I wouldn't even think of pointing it at the apartment complex or at someones window.
 
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I post my nerd pics all the time. You should. Spread the word of legal use. When someone tells my im being watched bu nsa then i say let them. Im doing nothing wrong. Just a nerd and his hobby
 

Teej

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Sometimes its a good idea to include some caption info that allays fears about the activities portrayed.

"Laser pointing out Polaris in Northern sky during period of no overflights or other potential interferences"

Captions such as that tend to let people know that you at least DID take flight traffic into account, etc.

When offroading, we do the same thing...as trespassing/not treading lightly is a constant issue when a pic shows a rig getting muddy, etc...so we make sure to caption it with verbiage that frames the place as well, so its clear the pic was of a legal activity.

It should not be needed, but, we live in a society that is so public, and so full of a cross section of reactions to EVERYTHING, that, it is NOW a good idea to caveat everything you post if it can be misconstrued.
 

gozert

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Nov 18, 2014
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I just post my pictures on facebook and such. I don't really care whether it's legal or not. I doubt police will ever come to my house because I post pictures of my lasers on facebook. Aside of that, who says those were my lasers? It's not like they can simply search my house for them either.
 
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Nov 2, 2012
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I post pictures of mine whenever I get around to taking any. I get likes for them and no complaints so I guess that is something.



So... This recently appeared on the front page of imgur.

Kinda cringing because stuff like this is what brought my interest in the first place, and thankfully I didn't have the money back then so I had time for research into some of the safety rules. The comments though...

Why do they show the laser as being cold, but then go on and on about how it makes things hot?


Some of mine that I took... random ideas:

laser_ridges_fog_2_zps90814a03.jpg


MP-build-07_zps09c2bbb5.jpg


crookes2_zpseb292f03.jpg


MellesGriot543-03_800x600_zpsdaf5f2e3.jpg
 
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