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

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.