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Sandia Labs Creates "Sim-Terrorist Attack"

Posted by chrisd on from the i-want-a-copy dept.

linuxwrangler writes "This article in the San Francisco chronicle describes the new "Weapons of Mass Destruction Decision Analysis Center" software created at Sandia labs. Work started on the software, modeled after the popular Sim* series of games, well before 9/11. It is designed to simulate a "war room" atmosphere and looks like a cool way to put geek toys to practical use. Now if I could just download the tarball...." Be sure to examine the picture of it running on their CAVE like system.

11 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. CAVE-like? not... by jabbo · · Score: 5, Informative

    That thing looks nothing like a CAVE. I worked at the Cornell Theory Center and my group used our CAVE a lot... it is ideal to cover 3 angles (via 3 walls and projection) for immersion, and a CAVE is typically used for more immersive visualizations than spreading out information ala' their display.

    Theirs is more like a movie screen.

    --
    Remember that what's inside of you doesn't matter because nobody can see it.
  2. Oh Great... by M.C.+Hampster · · Score: 3, Funny


    I'm glad to know that our elected officials will be prepared to deal with the threat of large monsters destroying our cities...

    --
    Forget the whales - save the babies.
  3. Cool Toys? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful
    I don't see any cool toys in the pictures.

    It looks a lot more like non-technical people spending government money and trying to come up with something to show for it. And not doing a very good job...

  4. Getting ride of terrorists attacks is easy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just go up to the menu and turn disasters off.

  5. Bathroom time and Quake by T-Kir · · Score: 3, Funny

    modeled after the popular Sim* series of games

    Sim City: Do they include the scenario when the aliens visit?

    The Sims: So will it take them 15 minutes to go to the bathroom, and set fire to the simulation room centre when trying to cook a snack?

    I thought it was funny enough when games were used for real life scenarios. Esp. the designers of a major building, creating a virtual version in the Quake engine... and then prospective clients/investors took a virtual tour and promptly died when trying to use an evelvator (falling down the lift shaft didn't help either).

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    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  6. Aeron Chairs?! by guttentag · · Score: 4, Interesting

    What are thousand-dollar Aeron chairs, which the dot coms were criticized for wasting money on, doing at a government lab?

    1. Re:Aeron Chairs?! by beer_maker · · Score: 4, Informative
      I work across the street, at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and the answer is simple: They have the high tech ergonomic chairs to prevent RSI. It's one of the coolest features of working here that they will go to almost any length to accommodate a ergomonic need (not want, but need.)

      Waste of money, you say? Actually, given the cost of the security clearances (up to $100K) it's insanely cost-effective to spend money on keeping their people well. They don't buy these chairs because the chair is comfortable, they buy the chair because it is designed to let you work without hurting yourself, which seems to involve a high level of comfort.

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      Hmmm. Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
  7. Wow... by T3kno · · Score: 4, Funny

    That text is really sharp. It's amazing how the pale whiteness of her skin makes for a really good projection surface.

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    (B) + (D) + (B) + (D) = (K) + (&)
  8. How long... by I+Love+this+Company! · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...before Maxis releases this as another cheesy $30 expansion pack for The Sims?

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    "All art is quite useless." -- Oscar Wilde
  9. Looks like Windows... by unsinged+int · · Score: 3, Funny

    "You have chosen to distribute medication to halt the spread of the bioterror weapon. Windows must reboot to continue saving the world. Please wait."

  10. Re:Did they not see "Wargames"?!?! by MxTxL · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wouldn't you prefer a nice game of chess?