Slashdot Mirror


The Internet and The War

John Jorsett writes "Wired Magazine has an interesting article on the realities of the use of communication and navigation technology in the Iraq war. Particularly intriguing is the use of chat rooms to engage experts thousands of miles away in helping to solve problems at the troop level in the field. And if you think your admin job is tough, try running your servers in 125 degree heat in a sandstorm."

6 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Heh, the use of chat rooms... by craenor · · Score: 5, Funny

    A/S/L - 19 iraqi single male, looking for sniper...

  2. In Australia... by more+fool+you · · Score: 5, Funny

    We cook our lunches on the servers. We left a 2U gap so we could also have grills.

  3. What the army needs a few good admins... by EdgeShadow · · Score: 5, Funny

    From text of article:

    "If a general has a problem with his Web browser, then I fix it," Cluff says.

    "How do you fix it?" I ask.

    "I consult Microsoft online help," he replies.

  4. Re:Soldier Skills. by Timesprout · · Score: 5, Funny

    Na with the automation of weapons and IRC communication it just means the recruiting adds will change their requirements to something like

    Ability to work alone (usually forced)

    Extensive experience in underground bunkers (parents basement is acceptable)

    Ability to type 80 wpm

    Extensive experience with RTS and FPS games

    Childish desire to hit back at society for rejecting your inept social skills by attempting to achieve global domination

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  5. DON'T by GC · · Score: 5, Funny

    MENTION THE WAR...

    [John Cleese, Faulty Towers]

  6. Using chat rooms to connect soldiers to experts? by cje · · Score: 5, Funny

    *** soldier (jimbo@army.iq) has joined channel #help
    *** techie (whizkid@pentagon.mil) has joined channel #help
    <soldier> hey, anybody know how to get sand out of a gatling gun?
    <techie> Sure thing. let me look it up for you. brb
    <soldier> thanks
    *** katie (luvkitties@ipt.aol.com) has joined channel #help
    <katie> hay all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    <soldier> ...
    <katie> hi solder ASL??
    <techie> Approximately when did you get the sand in the gatling gun?
    <katie> huh??
    <soldier> about 15 minutes ago.
    <techie> okay, brb
    <katie> techie what r u talking about!!
    *** jenny (nsync_rulz@msn.com) has joined channel #help
    <katie> hi jenny how r u ltns!!!!!!! lol
    <jenny> K8E!!!! kisskiss
    <soldier> ...
    <techie> How much sand would you say is inside the gatling gun?
    <jenny> wtf lol
    <soldier> well, there's quite a bit. it's draining out like an hourglass.
    <jenny> hour glass??
    <katie> jenny geuss what, taylor told lisa today that he want's me 2 invite him 2 the dance on saturday
    <jenny> omfg LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
    <jenny> wat did u say? did u say anything 2 him?
    <techie> The sand is draining out of the Gatling gun like an hourglass?
    <soldier> pretty much, yes.
    <katie> heehehe!! well i went up 2 him and said hi and then he bought me a bottle of mt dew code red!! LOL
    <techie> I see. have you tried shaking it vigorously?
    <katie> techie wtf would i shake it vigorusly, it would fizz over and explode
    *** techie rolls eyes
    <techie> soldier: Have you tried shaking the gatling gun vigorously?
    <soldier> no. brb
    *** taylor (linkinparkfan@earthlink.net) has joined channel #help
    <jenny> OMFG
    <katie> OMFG
    <soldier> OMFG
    <soldier> the damn thing just went off and took out the cook and the chaplain
    <katie> hi taylor, how r u????
    <techie> I see. Recommend you replace gatling gun immediately.
    <taylor> hi katie
    <soldier> roger
    *** soldier has left channel #help
    <taylor> jenny, how r u? r u busy saturday night?
    <katie> f u jenny
    *** katie has left channel #help

    --
    We're going down, in a spiral to the ground