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CALL it community computing, a cool art project or digital-hygiene nightmare: USB keys are popping out of the walls in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan, just waiting for any passer by to walk up and plug in.
German artist 鈥榮 鈥淒ead Drops鈥� project is a twist on geocaching, which uses GPS technology to guide treasure hunts. Keys are planted in brick walls, houses and lamp posts around New York. Users simply slide their laptops or other USB-friendly devices onto the sticks, and are free to upload or download files at will. On each key Bartholl is leaving a text file explaining the project, but as people begin adding to the drops anything goes 鈥� from simple friendly notes to local advice or advertisements. Just watch out for viruses and other digital nasties.
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