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Linux Hits the Road

Posted by michael on from the roadkill dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Vicroads does regular surveys of the roads in Victoria, Australia, to determine where they need to be patched or otherwise repaired. It used to be done in a vehicle travelling at 20 kph: slow, tedious, and hazardous to the traffic around it. Now, thanks to Linux, it's being done at speeds of 80 to 100 kph. The Melbourne Age has the details. Short version: the cost has fallen from $1.2 million Australian to $850,000. Not bad..."

7 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. You know it's late... by kgarcia · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does it also map roadkill streaks?

  2. BFD by hazman · · Score: 5, Funny
    Short version: the cost has fallen from $1.2 million Australian to $850,000. Not bad..."

    So what. So they saved $36.83US. What's the big deal?

  3. best line by b17bmbr · · Score: 4, Funny

    It was expected that the solution would be one involving Windows and written in Visual Basic...I don't think that I would have undertaken a task like this, where a computer is on the road, using anything but a robust operating system.

    hey steve, start booking that flight!!!

    --
    My problem? I was perfectly gruntled, until some numbnuts came by and dissed me.
  4. favorite comment by skydude_20 · · Score: 4, Funny

    just to make sure we all understand the proper terminology:
    the road ahead (what is technically called the pavement)

    --
    Jesus saves souls and redeems them for valuable cash prizes
  5. Re:Go figure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    From the article:
    "My experience with Windows is limited."

    Were it not so, he would be able to join the rest of us in saying:
    "My experience with Windows is limiting."

  6. scary experience... by canning · · Score: 4, Funny

    "It was a scary experience when we got to the South Australian border and had a power supply in the PC fail," said Arya.

    Sounthern Australia border?? I would assume that all that water wouldn't be good for them either.

    --
    I love the smell of Karma in the morning
    1. Re:scary experience... by aspeer · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yep, We are really original here. Once Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania were named it must of been pretty close to beer o'clock. You can imagine the conversation:

      Pioneer 1: So, we have two states left, one in the South and one in the West. Ideas ?

      Pioneer 2: South Australia and Western Australia - now for *^%* sake lets hit the pub.

      Pioneer 1: I like it. Lets go.