Hell no.

MonkeySeeMonkeyDo

There are plenty of things I'd WANT to save, but, er, I doubt I'd have the time.

Let's rate the possibilities before I faint from the smoke:
Laptop: Probably
Stationary computer: Maybe, but not much more if I manage to unscrew everything and run out
Mobile phone: Old as hell, don't give a damn about it. Let it burn.
LCD TV: How the hell would I carry that out in a fire? ... Well I WANT to, I probably wouldn't manage.

Eruanno

is the fire related to the RRoD 360?

imTheKing

"Would You Save a Gadget From a Burning Building?"

Depends on how many nudy pics I left on it...

JEmlay

@cloudnine: Well a backup every month really isnt that good because what the house burns God forbid the 3rd week in the month. You'll lose 3 weeks of information. I mean i have an external hard drive and all of my most important information is on it. Documents nd other bullshxt that arent necessary are saved onto the internal hard drive. I'd only save that because the AC adapter can be bought anywhere and i could find a USB wire to fit in almost any tech store.
I have insurance so i'd just let the insurance take care of the rest.

SneakerFiend

The fire in the pic is what we refer to as, surround and drown. Even then, putting water on it is mostly for show and trying to protect exposures.

"You gotta take the bull by the horns!"

Geisrud

I would definitely try to save my tower with all its hard drives and my MacBook Pro if there was time.

Tyranicus

@mpar:

LOL I was thinking the same thing, well not exactly.
I don't care about any other gadgets in my house cept my ps3.
If a small fire started to grow I'd grab my family and (60gb) ps3 and let the house burn down.

br4nd0n

dude nothing comes between me and my 500 gigs of PRON!!

blazedshaggy

Yes! My Macbook Pro and hard drive. I couldn't live without my Protools and Final Cut.

IrkedAngel

they're insured, but i'd save my nikons...some of them i'm just too fond of (plus they're not made anymore).

wizardofpants

I'd go back & save the smoke alarm.

i_prefer_sasquatch

What? Using my Bobby Drake-like mutant superpowers to suppress the flames isn't an option?

Samifumi

I'd go to my job, get my laptop from work and bring it into the burning apt, then I could go on vaca. I just want a vaca. I probably shouldn't say this from work.

Doesn't anyone do remote backups for their really important stuff?

capitalass

@nutbastard: @Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!: I'd have to go with you guys on this one. Kids, than Pets, than Guitars. Old people burn to quick so I would be too afraid to try to get them. It'd be like rescuing your gas can, spare ammo, and fireplace kindling. Can always buy new 'puters and TVs and stuff, old folks too probably.

MagnoliaBoy

my ps3 then the family

mpar

the hard drive with my memories on them :'(

giyad

no gadget is worth risking my life, although the data on my hard drive would be a massive bitch to lose. somehow my parents decided that, since i got the computer with the built-in media card reader, the family photo album became my responsibility, and so far i'm having trouble backing up 160GB worth of family pics for free....not to mention a few weeks' worth of music.

come to think of it, if it was a small blaze and wasn't likely to injure my vitals or my nads, i'd probably go in to save all of my hard drives, and (i know, not a gadget) my sneaker collection...everything else is replacable, and can go to shit until insurance steps in.

rimplestultskin

I've been a firefighter for too long, and I know exactly how hot the room is - at different elevations within the room. Short answer - no.

Besides, destroy the evidence.

Geisrud

Well it depends how far along the fire is, if its just starting to burn I'd totally get my phone, tower, External HD, camera, mp3 player.

bbfreak

I have a lot of crap I need on my mac pro. Id save it.

thedommer

I'd grab my NAS in case of a fire if at all possible. The rest can burn. The NAS has everything important on it.

1roll20s

My kids are my gadgets, and I tried the 'insurance will take care of them' card with my wife and she nearly killed me. I guess I will have to go in and save them. Damn it.

Monty

It depends how close I am. This just happened at my job. True story.

A fire started close to my laptop because of a light overheat a courtain. Before it got bigger, I grabbed my laptop and went away... the fire was controlled thanks god. I have picture, but my job doesn't allow me... my coworkers also check gizmodo.

BUT... if the fire was bigger... hell no... I can replace an iPhone and a laptop, my arm is not replaceable... not until 2020 aight...

Silvio_73h-1337

Burning building? What about if the feds are kicking your door at 3 in the morning? External hard drives baby. Grab and run!!

shenanigans

Save the porn!

I'd only try to retrieve things with sentimental value and only if it were in reaching distance as I ran out, bearing nobody else needed help. Only because I'm a nice guy.

Trowble (XBL/PSN)

My one of a kind Black Roland TB-303 with the Alu-Case and Devilfish mod.. Now.. The other arm is either for my 909 or my cat.. Hmmm

Neight

Well since my desk is right next to my window I would bust the window grab my external HD and my laptop and possibly my monitor and comp.

Bezike

For my laptop and a portable hard drive, yes. The other things are easily replaceable by insurance money.

DashTheHand

Not sure that I would *run into* a burning building for a gadget, but I would most certainly go out of my way to save my phone and my computer whilst exiting a burning building.

Apoc112

@Titus_Andronicus: Nice...

If i was saving a gadet I'd save my computer, then my snakes if i had time, sorry guys.

I would just start cutting cords, thanks to trusty hook blade at my side.

It would be a hard choice between my memory box or my computer.Damn, now i need a fire safe. Thanks Giz, cutting into my spending budget again.

Think you can get a cooled firesafe, to keep the computer in? Wonder how a freezer would do...

Lodlaiden_

@Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!:

yes yes and more yes. cats and dogs first, then mom and dad, then musical instruments.

although moving my car away from the flames takes precedent over all of those ; )

nutbastard

Insurance would cover my stuff. I already have my photos in the fireproof safe backed up on DVDs. Hmm. Maybe I'll put in a NAS in there.

ripfire

Laptop and DJ coffin - I can buy new ones, but seeing as most of my other possessions are probably also going up in flames, I'd like to save what I know I can

kmerenda

Fuck gadgets. I can buy new ones.

I'd have to save my cats though.

Kaiser-Machead's Chips Ahoy!

Lappy, External HD and maybe some backup DVDs if there is time...Oh and the Linux media server in the basement. I'll make two trips depending on how bad the fire was burning.

MasterSauce

I would run back in for my Wii, who wants a burnt Wii?

UndeadOverlord

Seriously, no way. If my life would be at risk, not a chance.

Poon

Considering the amount of pictures, music and videos I have gathered over the years, yes I would try to go after my pc. But the fact that I have no pets or kids probably has influence on this.

tonyn84

Screw the monitors, peripherals, etc., but there's too much irreplaceable data on those hard drives. I'd probably try to grab my towers and at least one guitar on my way out.

GeekyNerdGuy

@hewhoroams:
werd

Ferg1

could not leave the house without: in this order; my kids, my birds, my ipod, my laptop, my wife

Titus_Andronicus

If the fire wasn't too bad, I'd get my MacBook Pro. I have offsite backups, but it still has all my digital photos on it.

EBone

I'd go back for my backup drive, all my photos from he last 7 years are backed up onto redundant drives. I'd risk my life to save tat work...

Josh_Geyer

Depends on the building. If it's a Fry's, I would rush in for certain, but likely perish while shopping.

Poon

my backup external drives. theres no way im re-downloading 150 gigs of music and a terabyte of movies/tv shows.

friedgold

Not likely -- besides, this is your opportunity to start fresh again.

akgw

Depends on how big the fire is and how clear a path there is. But yes, only the computer.

Zlevee

only hard drives or stuff that is irreplaceable by insurance.

Ferg1

I recently moved all my ammo to the basement to reduce the danger to my neighbors, but I'd probably try to save a few rifles and a handful of watches. All the rest can go.

ninjagin

insurance makes a big difference. However, I'd be hard pressed to let my shiny monitors, iphone, or DS burn in front of me.
Skin grows back, gadgets die.

hewhoroams

My 1.5TB Time Capsule. With that little novel sized book I have every photo and HD video I've ever shot...oh yeah, and all my pron.

Chester_Copperpot

I think it all depends on the situation but I definitely would want to save a few things. It's sad but my whole life has been saved on my devices and it would horrible to lose all of that stuff.

dirtybird1977

My wife loves her new iVibrator...so I guess yes. ;^)

cameleon50

Does an LCD TV count as a gadget?

Mr.SithNinja

I wouldn't run into a building for anything. But if I'm home I'm grabbing the kid first and then if time allows the laptop, the external drive, and my backup DVDs. Everything else can fuck itself.

Mark 2000

There is a specific reason all my gadgets are located near my windows... and its not 'easy access' for thieves. Of course... I'd probably hurt myself on one and go down with the house....

As much as I'd hate to lose my computers, I would have to grab my linux server for all the important junk backedup on it.

Axilon

Definitely... my iMac. Not because it's a Mac, but because it has years and years worth of photos on it, and my entire music collection, and all my company's information on it.

However, after reading an article a couple weeks ago about security measures, I'm definitely getting a safety deposit box and sticking a backup drive in it with updated backups each month.

cloudnine

Unless it's a towering inferno situation, I'd go in for the hard drive I back up all of my music on. (That's music I record, not mp3s from Limewire.)

erichg14

my computer and externals have my life on them. i HAVE to have them or i loose @ life :)

graphx

I would run into a burning building to save Addy....sorry BLAM you're SOL.

duffyanneal killed WALL-E

insurance covers the gadgets but theres a reason why i have hot swappable hard drives...

Bantam

Google burien apartment fire (Burien, WA ... June 29) The Highline times has a pic I took on my phone (it happened to have been in my back pocket) before the fire crews got there.

cissyrene

If it were something like my Macbook Pro which cost more than all my other gadgets combined and has all my Pro Tools projects on it then yes I would, unless I had it backed up somewhere off site.

ethanlechcharles

Wife out the window, then the cat, then I'd run back for the PowerMac or one of my backup drives.

So much on there it'd be worth it.

Drew P Draws

My apartment building burned down on June 29th. Not only did I not save ANY of my gadgets.. I didn't get out with my PURSE! I had no ID, no money, no way of getting money, no way of getting ID, because I had none in the first place (The Red Cross helped me with that, so I've at least gotten that and my money situation fixed)
I lost absolutely everything I have ever owned. If I knew how to post pics on here, I would, but alas!

I don't think the people that are saying "Well, i'd save this and that, and maybe this other thing" know what they are talking about. It was so FAST! I was awake, but if I'd been asleep i'd be dead, like three other people in my building.
When you see smoke pouring in around your doorjamb, and you have to climb down a tree next to your balcony to get out, the LAST thing on your mind is SHIT! My TUNES!

cissyrene

Had an awesome dream a week ago, I was sitting in my front yard just enjoying tranquility at my really nice house, and smoking a joint. All of a sudden about 40 feet away the power pole at the corner of my property decides to have its pole pig explode; flaming transformer oil splashing all over the periphery of my house and a 50 Kv ceramic coil shatters at high velocity hitting the window behind me, while I look in horror at the dry brush flagrating wildly at the corner of my house. So in the dream I dive from the chair and then sprinted through my house and the smoke to rescue my hackified dell and a HDD snatch while coughing on embers. I jump out the backdoor as a huge flaming backdraft blows out, only to realize, I left my "Chemical" collection right next to my xbox HDD. Thats where I draw the line: going into a flaming house to get a bunch of save games/XBL material sitting next to a box full of rubidium, cesium, and about 2 pounds of purified potassium, in a gallon of fuel oil. NOT WORTH IT. Even in a dream!

CrashingOut

I would take my Wii or my iPod. They are [somewhat] portable and extra cords or headphones are replicable.

Elk

oh yeah, my MacBookPro.

i dont know if this is a gadget but my camera case..

which hold my 30D, four lenses, a speed flash and other worthy expensive toys.

NarPhoto

Hard drives. I would go for my external hard drives.

ktoth04

My costumes, nothing else is worth the hassle.

Scuba Steve

Sorta. If it was urgent for me to exit, I'd take the hard-drive housing in my Antec Case out. No way I'm lugging that monster of a desktop out of my house. Oh, and my guitar, 360 HDD, and throw other stuff into my backpack.

HotFootMcCook

Computer tower, PS3, Wii would in one big arm full out the door. Then if theres time, the TV.

drywaller79

My gadgets will be the first out of the door. I will run back to get my wife and kids.

Aleung

I would try to save my desktop if possible. Not because it's irreplaceable, but the data stored on it is. I do have backups of really important stuff on DVD+Rs stored at my parents house though.

shawnmos

Well, it depends on just how dangerous the fire was. I'd take SOME risk running in for my paper documents and computers.

shamoononon has a hebetudinous dog

hard drives(xbox 360, pc), and if i was thinking it hadnt been damaged i would at leasty TRY to get my 32 LCD HDTV.

makeseven

anything with a hard drive, with hard-to-replace data, is getting rescued by my dumb ass.

fezir

I would go in to save my laptops and my ipod b/c without them
I have no record of what I have been doing for the past 5 years of my life.

trc202

Do we consider a backup drive a gadget? If so then I would grab them for they have all 45,000+ photos that my wife and I took... and no, not of each other!

DeafLEGO

Since the windows for my room are at ground level, and thus being my escape route, I would grab these: My server (basicly an old emachines stuck inside an old fridge drawer with a few cables coming out the back), my PowerBook 180c and PowerBook 150 (My babies), if I had the time I would unhook my PC. Everything else can be replaced, except for some cables for my old computers that would be VERY hard to locate.

benjgvps

Family, pet, MBP, ext. HD.
Somehow it feels pathetic, but there is some much stored on this computer that I wouldn't want to loose. I'm talking about photographs I've taken, videos I've recorded and letters I've written.

mangochutney

@JackMatt: ohh and my phone.... lose the phone, lose the life!

JackMatt

I would grab my laptop but then tell the insurance it was lost in the fire. I have replacement cost on all my crap. HELLO new MacBook! :)

JackMatt

@hewhoroams:

skin may not grow back as well, and gadgets come out better after upgrades, but the hard drive it what matters, so you're right.

so its pretty much been determined that a large amount of Gizmodors might be found in the burn unit after any tragedies like the one described here.

10ninjas

fast !

save the children, the women and the porn first !

waza

My iMac, and, if I could still have time, my PS3. And most likely my entire DVD collection but that's a little easier, as it's right next to my front door so I can do it last, and get out easily and quickly. :D

William Hook

Of course first I'd make sure a very necessary gadget, the smoke alarm was working before the fire started so I wouldn't burn to death@i_prefer_sasquatch: Heh, well I guess its the least you can do for a gadget that probably saved you from burning to death.

bbfreak

Unless my life would be in immediate and obvious danger upon running into my house, I'd definitely go to save my external HDD. I have most of my files and all of my important shit backed up on it. Gadgets are replaceable. Most data isn't.

Of course, that's assuming everyone, cat included, are out safe. My data is important, but lives are even more so.

DisposableInterloper

I would grab my backup HDD with everything on it, also my 360 HDD, the Wii, and my N64 plus at least 2 games (OoT and 007) the problem is my backup HDD is on the 2nd floor in my room, and I game in my basement. The weird thing is that the Oot cart is the first thing I'd grab, not all my school documents, music, pictures, and other important stuff.
I left out my phone because it never leaves my pocket. (I've broke it in the washing machine one too many times)

mferrari

@JackMatt: Ahh, insurance fraud... funny stuff.

nealb

My computer, I built it myself with money that I will probably never have again. Not to mention it has all my 3D and photoshop work on it.

Doostin

hell no. That would be the tipping point to allow me to get new shit. why try to prevent that?

discounteggroll

I'd probably gram my lappy and do a "Wanted" crash through my window. FTS!

thegadgeteer

well i won't have to worry the important gadgets are always with me
and i live near a window but the possibility to go down and up whenever i feel like it and there is enough wire to keep all my gadgets safe :D

TBM-Fan

I don't go back in for anything, but I don't come out without the kitties, which means I will probably die, as they will think we're playing just the FUNNEST GAME!!! Hide from Daddy! Run from Daddy!! (meow, kind of hot in here!) Hide from Daddy!

@ninjagin: "I recently moved all my ammo to the basement to reduce the danger to my neighbors"

Ammo is not dangerous in a fire. It will heat up and the bullet will fall out and it will go "spfft" as the powder burns. Probably more danger from the burning gadget fumes.

GadgetPlay

"Depends":

On the location of the fire. If the fire's in the eastern area of the house, I'd sure as hell run inside the side door to the kitchen, which is where I dock my iphone, which is the only place it ever is besides my pocket.... or hand.

michaelwiggins

Depends on how 'burning' the building is and how expensive the gadget.
I'd save my music instruments before my computer but then I'm looking for an excuse to build a new pc.

Crowbot

after saving the cat, id grab that laptop and wii...oh and the external hard drives which hold my life. the bank statements are safe in the fire proof safe.

Go Team Venture

run inside other peoples burning buildings to findo out some left behind gadgets.

AndersonBMX

Insurance may cover the damage, but no money could bring back all of my art.
I'd go in to save my portable hard drive.

~Y

Upsilon

I keep my hard drive with me..

alin0steglinski

I'd open up my 6ftx3ftx3ft fireproof gun safe and put my gadgets in there.

There are some advantages to living in Texas, one of those being giant gun safes with lots of guns.

tex1ntux

Well my pc sits next to a window in the front of my house....isnt too hard to get to...id bust window...reach for my tower...if possible id get the 22" Westy...and i wont forget my TX650p that i will star putting by my window from now on heheh

Definatley go for my tower first...id rather die than loose my 16k music collection :(

o0adam0o

no. i would save a dog and a girlfriend in that order ... and if only the bitch had been good.

Paradise

@cissyrene: I'm sorry for your loss. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. I've got plenty of old tech laying around here that could use a new home.

I almost lost my home in the California wildfires four years ago.

EBone

I'd grab the computer and external drive. No amount of insurance could cover our photos (personal & work related).

photophile

My hard drive, ipod, and laptop have 8+ years of my life on them, combined. Losing them would mean losing part of my soul.

aznxenocide

i wouldn't leave my computer. i spent too much on it, have too much data on it, and love it too much like a son. once at school in the dorms, the fire alarm went off and there was smoke all down the hall, and before leaving i pulled all my hard drives and brought them with me.

origamimavin

Probably my wallet and laptop if I had time. It still depends on how hot/smoky it is. I dunno. My laptop has my life on it!

whiteknight

I put yes, but it would be on my way out.. hopefully it would happen while I was at home.

In the unlucky case that I had just arrived home and it had happened, yes. I would run in.

Xbox360, My Desktop PC, and my Laptop would be said Items I would grab...

Why? Because if I am going to loose my house I want to at least SAVE something.. Plus I might as well grab those items on my way out with my pets. because I have a cat and dog in the house as well..

Fish in my aquarium though.. those guys are screwed..

The only reason I feel confident enough about running back in though is because I know the layout of my house like the back of my hand and I wouldn't worry with grabbing cables..just the main components..

I have say it would suck horrible for that to happen though.

-Core-

I'd try to save my PC, PS3, iPod and as many dvds as I can. It's worth the burns to save me a whole lotta work later trying to get everything new again.

Nathan Drake

yeap, i'd run in for the computers. i figured it wouldn't be too bad carrying out a 24" imac and macmini. i've lost all my data before because of a tragic incident, and i'm not about to do it again. i have my whole life on a couple harddrives, and i'd be too devastated to loose it all again.

Mr Josh Zombie

Yes: my backup drive.

adamrice

Order to save from fire:
1. Family
2. Cat
3. Laptop or Time Capsule (whichever is easier to grab)

Without number 3 I lose everything, I don't have off-site backups.

limiter

I could see the headline now, "Local man dies trying to get his 55" rear projection tv out of house during fire". I think I would definitely grab my laptop, though.

maven2k

laptop and harddrive. My life is on these two stupid pieces of metal.

burddog

I'd grab my backup drive, and maybe my Les Paul. The rest of it can burn.

broho

@cameleon50: wow thats some low self esteem eh?

i would get my HDD, or my 24 inch dell and 360 (that a few months worth of salt here in Argentina)

Macdelaney

All four of my laptops, though I backup there is probably very important information from the last few days/weeks that would be difficult to replicate. As well as the multitude of carefully installed development environments.

talk2sk

My hard drives definitely, but I think my computer is covered under warranty, Ipod probably too since it's near my computer. I have a fire extinguisher and ladder in my computer room so it wouldn't be a big deal getting them and getting out.

Captain_Sarcastic

It depends on the severity of the fire and it's location, but if it's reasonably safe, I'd grab my laptop and external hardfile and escape out the second floor.

And, no it's not a gadget, but I have a small portable file containing important documents, I'd grab too.

Yes, someday I should scan all that an store it on that external hardfile.

If it is a small contained fire, I'd call 911, then go after it with the fire extinguisher and garden hose which is just outside the back door.

FrankReality

Of course, fire-preventive measures should be taken to avoid falling victim to ran-sacking your own home when it's going UP in flames and burn DOWN

but

If i were forced into this situation, My PSP with Custom Firmware 3.90 M33-3 and 16GB Memory Stick. My HTC Mogul would probably already be in my hands.

Important files are already on my keychain that's attached to my wallet. (can't leave one without all)

My girlfriend has legs - my gadgets don't. She'll be scrambling to find our vital documents (SS Cards, Birth Certificates)

Then... I wake up with all of those things turned to cinder because heat comes with fire and panic accompanies the heat.

Oh well...

Dr. Evil Genius

Well I know that before running out I'd grab my iMac from my room first. Even if I was in the basement, before heading for the front door I'd run upstairs, grab it, and run out. Though I wouldn't bother with unplugging cables or anything, they're much easier to replace. If the fire was in a part of the house that was distant enough though, I'd probably throw my iPod, phone, and purple Game Boy Color (my first game system) out the window so I could grab them later. I even had a dream once where the house was on fire so I grabbed the iMac and ran.
Actually knowing me I'd throw something huge through the window like my mattress (to make a big hole, and to cushion the hit on the ground) just so I could grab handfuls of junk and throw those outside. I know that in a fire situation the "I love my stuff" part of my brain would tell the adrenal glands to give me enough adrenaline to pull the mattress off my bed and force it through the window (which is less wide than the mattress) to save as much stuff as I could.

videoCWK