Government Linux Gaming Supercomputer

pupkick writes "Wired news has a story about a government supercomputer running Linux that 'pits two opposing teams of soldiers against one another in a fight for control over a city under siege.'"

Comments

Who cares?

[Anonymous Coward]

This has very little to do with technology. Was simulations have occurred for eons. They are moving to electronic formats. The validity of these simulations is only as good as the understanding of the real life situation, modified down for the capability of the programmin team to capture this in a computer program.

The fact that it is running Linux is the only reason it appears on Slashdot. And it is the least interesting part of the article.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Clarification

[dasuridai]

That is U.S. Government supercomputer.

supercomputer game?

[WormholeFiend]

Do you think we could run this game on a beowulf cluster?

Getting a bit unfair now

[Anonymous Coward]

Back in the cold war there was a bit of a counter balance to the USA's military technology from the USSR, and both countries tended to support countries fighting against the other (see russian migs in Korea, US troops in Vietnam, Stinger missiles in Afghanistan). In the horrific act of war there was a counter balance to make things fairer, so technology alone couldn't prevail, and the most technologically advanced countries couldn't impose rules over their 3rd world adversaries. With the dissolution of the USSR this counter balance is relying on increasingly ancient Soviet technologies, which are becoming ineffective against Western military advances (how many planes did the Iraqi army shoot down? How did the Iraqi Soviet era tanks compare to the Americans) Not to sound like i am supporting one side or the other, or sound like i am supporting the actions of supposed terrorists, I am starting to think the idea of war in this world is getting a bit unfair and one sided. Some people put the defeat of the IRA partially down to the introduction of body armour for the british troops, their Armalites just weren't effective any more. How can peoples who want to fight counter this? The only weakness that currently can be exploited is Wide Spectrum electrical weapons (sorry probably wrong name), that can fry electronics of the more advanced Western armies (US army no longer teaches troops to read maps, only GPS). But this is increasingly countered by 'hardening' installations and equipment. Is there any wonder that 'terrorists' or 'rebels' have to resort to alternative weapon systems and war methodology? What hope do they stand in the modern battlefield? What hope for the future, China is the only real counter weight but they don't seem too keen on sharing. Whatever side you were on

Re:Getting a bit unfair now

[tbone1]

You know, this has always been the way it's been, even before Rome and Carthage were duking it out.

At the same time, consider that the US troops put themselves at greater risk by attempting to reduce the risks to civilians, even in enemy territory. And they try to keep things like electricity, water, and sewer systems running. Terrorists aim for civilians and infrastructure.

And if you are hoping for Communist China to be a world-saver, go stand in front of that advancing armored personnel carrier and ask their opinion.

Go ahead, mark me as flamebait, but worrying about how we can make things fairer for people who try to kill innocent civilians seems like some REALLY misplaced worry.

Re:Getting a bit unfair now

[pluke]

I think the point is maybe they wouldn't need to kill innocents if they had other options which the technological advances have cancelled out
.

Also what happens if heaven forbid the USA with its technology, happened to be doing something wrong and the people couldn't defend themselves. What options are they left with?

I don't think they are looking for a 'saviour' in China just something to counter balance (-their words)

Surprised no one has asked...

[saintp]

When do we get to play? Freeciv geeks would go NUTS over this thing.

Or, if they wanted to make half a million /.ers simultaneously spooge, they could GPL it.

social factors included?

[actiondan]

I wonder if this urban conflic simulator includes factors such as the fact that airstrikes of any intensity will always lead to some civilian casualties, which will in turn lead to easier recruitment by the bad guys.

If this simulation doesn't include such social/psychlogical factors then I submit that it is pretty useless in determining the optimum strategy for urban conflicts.

"The old crusade days when you go into a city with catapults and rubble everything are over,"

Tell that to the people of Falluja right now.

Are air strikes really the most effective way to deal with insurgency/terrorism?

Yawn.

[PMuse]

a story about a government supercomputer running Linux that 'pits two opposing teams of soldiers against one another in a fight for control over a city under siege.'"

Why is this news? The govt runs battle simulations on computers. Linux runs computers. What part of this didn't we know and why do we care?

Re:Korean/Chinese Soldiers in American Cities

[ElGanzoLoco]

We really, really need a "-1; Bullshit" moderation option.

Chinese soldiers in Mexico?! Haha!