Re: The Brinks PSA

[Frank Olson <Use-the-email-links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

tourman wrote:

> RHC: Frank, I do not need the special programmer to do what I do.
> However, if the units are not keypad programmable, you are correct in
> that one would need to create a "map" of locations and their
> functions. This would simply take a bit more time; however, once
> established, I would not ethically be able to publish this
> information. In a sense, it "belongs" to Brinks, and much as I'd like
> to see them get the royal shaft over this bullshit with Jim, two
> wrongs never make a right !!
> I just thought it would be fun to crack their board simply to say I
> can do it....
>
> I wonder why they are so worried about this information getting out.
> Most customers would never be able to do this sort of thing, and even
> installers who would choose to learn to reprogram Brinks panels with
> the special programmer to make them "local" for customers, would have
> a major learning curve to do so, and would have to charge the clients
> quite a bit to make it worth their while, which would make it likely
> that the client would instead simply choose to buy a new and better
> panel from any number of sources. Brinks concerns are really a "storm
> in a teacup" and as some have suggested, just an excuse for their
> lawyers to rack up billable hours.
>
> At this point, if they were to withdraw their complaints though, it
> would be a loss of face for them. I doubt they would do so for that
> reason alone....
>

Actually, the 3000 and the 4000 systems are based on the Honeywell Vista
10 or 15.  The programming fields are practically identical.  Jim's
published the programming "map" for the 1000.  I don't see that it's all
that "secret" considering the master chip isn't even manufactured by
Brinks.  How does one obtain a "patent" on a system that's practically
the same as every other one out there?  The old PC-2000 (DSC) would
still offer more features than the Brinks panels (and you will recall
you needed to burn the chip and then insert it into the board).  I
recall Chubb made a custom keypad for the PC-2000 (they called it a
Sentinel IIIB) but "Digital Security Controls" was stamped all over the
boards.  Brinks is a joke.