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Auto Manufacturers Running Out Of Unique IDs
wakebrdr writes "Y2K all over again? A story in today's Detroit News explains how the vehicle ID numbering system (VIN) will soon run out of unique numbers. According to the article, a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers says, 'Longer codes would require a major overhaul of computer systems that would dwarf the challenges and expenses spawned by the Y2K computer dilemma.' Golly, if it's that serious maybe I should start stocking up on MREs and ammunition in preparation for the day the assembly lines come to a screeching halt."
Just use NAT.
"Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!"
How about extending the allowable characters in a VIN to include certain ASCII or Unicode symbols? Perhaps make them case-sensitive? That would preserve uniqueness--at least for awhile longer--although it might make the codes harder to verbalize (i.e. to an insurance agent).
I *knew* we'd find a use for Dingbats Font someday!
Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
I'm not worried about the assembly lines coming to a screeching halt... I'm more worried about the assembly robots revolting and attacking the population!
*Duck and cover*
My car has a seven digit number as a VIN.
I had a lot of issues getting it registered and insured, although in most cases it was just a training issue -- the people I was dealing with didn't know how to enter it correctly.
The Massachusetts RMV had no idea what to do with an odometer in kilometers though, so my title says 9,999,999 miles on it.
Actually maybe they already do? If so, then start using the !@#$#$%^%^&*)(*& symbols!
Those symbols are usually reserved for use *after* the accident with the uninsured driver.
Mod Karma -1: I sed bad wurds. If I cep my mouf shut, I wud be at riyses.
Perhaps this will speed the transition to VINv6...
Shades of Grayden
Let's see... how many manhours can a consultant charge the PHB to run the following SQL query
alter table VEHICLES modify column VIN varchar(50);
Yup.. that took countless manhours.
Yes, Mr. Insurance agent, I've got my VIN right here. It's A-1-D-1-squiggle-smiley face-squiggle-1-2-W-musical notes-e with two dots over it-female symbol-B-5-open paren-heart.
I am not a crackpot.
How about a VINv6?
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
>2005-??-?? ??? - "Some *really* old versions of UNIX (e.g. 16-bit BSD) die in 2005.".
See! BSD is dying!!
Impossible! How would they reach us, why they'd need a million cars to... oh. Crap!
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Now, we just need some clueless politician and/or judge to decree that we need to be able to keep the same VIN when we switch cars. After all, it's just as personal as a phone number or an IP address, right?
Who cares if it completely neuters the data model, is hard if not impossible to implement, and results in massive confusuion and overhead nightmares, it's the in thing to do, making all these pesky numbers portable.
Come to think of it, my VIN already is portable, I put a few hundred miles on it a month.
the automotive industry has used dingbats for years!
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
It puts the numbers in the correct boxes, or else it gets the hose again.
All employees must wash hands before seeking equitable relief.