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When Computers Go Wrong

Posted by samzenpus on from the best-of-intentions dept.

Barence writes "PC Pro's Stewart Mitchell has charted the world's ten most calamitous computer cock-ups. They include the Russians' stealing software that resulted in their gas pipeline exploding, the Mars Orbiter that went missing because the programmers got their imperial and metric measurements mixed up, the Soviet early-warning system that confused the sun for a missile and almost triggered World War III, plus the Windows anti-piracy measure that resulted in millions of legitimate customers being branded software thieves."

5 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. It's a simple rule by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    As a fellow programmer I worked with years ago was fond of saying, "Computers don't make mistakes. They do, however, execute yours VERY carefully."

  2. Re:Computers do what they are told to by rarel · · Score: 4, Funny

    it's okay, you can breathe now.

  3. Re:Computers do what they are told to by Opportunist · · Score: 3, Funny

    To be fair, the PATRIOT manufacturer didn't think it would stay assembled for weeks without falling apart, thus requiring a restart.

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  4. Re:The creation of the EFF by not-my-real-name · · Score: 3, Funny

    Should this be modded "+1 Too Informative"?

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    un-ALTERED reproduction and dissimination of this IMPORTANT information is ENCOURAGED
  5. Re:Computers do what they are told to by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't anthropomorphize computers. They hate that.

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    Have gnu, will travel.