OT Don't read this (was Re: Altair MBL source)

[Stan Barr]

Hi,

chris <cb at mythtech.net> said:
> >> <http://www.gcn.com/17_17/news/33727-1.html>
> >
> >Another myth. 
> >
> >What happened was the _application_, not Windows, had a flaw (a divide by
> >zero bug).
> 
> Read the bottom of the article, where they state that numerous other 
> software failures on the Yorktown are associated with using Win NT.
> 
> I think the real lesson here is, don't let any computer be your sole 
> method of controlling a warship... didn't these people watch 
> Terminator?!? :-)

Someone should tell the Royal Navy, there are plans to install a
command and control system based on Windows on RN nuclear submarines.
Gerald Wilson, who used to work for Marconi and the Defence Procurement
Agency told the BBC:
"It is inconceivable that we could allow the possible accidental release of
nuclear missiles. The people who survived such an exchange, if any, would
certainly regard such a thing as a crime against humanity. And I can't help
feeling that even planning to deploy such systems on Windows, with its
unreliability and lack of security, is itself some sort of crime in
international law."

Windows 2000 is already used in the Type 45 destroyer for combat
management software.

Marconi are reported to have said: "... we have stopped making SW 
transmitters and antennas, our reason for being now ... shoddy naval 
software.



-- 
Cheers,
Stan Barr  stanb at dial.pipex.com

The future was never like this!