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Ask Slashdot: Worst Computer Scene In TV or Movies?
Cuban Devil writes "Yesterday I rented a copy of The Social Network. I won't comment on the story, but the Zuckerberg character's narrated performance on hacking Harvard servers made me wonder: what's the worst computer-related acting performance ever? I leave here my vote: Independence Day, when I had to see Mr. Goldblum upload a virus, using a Mac, when it did not connect even to an ethernet network, compromising the entire alien fleet. What other major technological gaffes have you seen?"
Every time they showed a screen in Hackers I cringed. Also, that "RISC is good" comment from the lead actor made my skin crawl.
hacking/coding/computing in real life is incredibly boring - reality doesn't make for a good movie.
Basically the whole movie.
Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds.There upon the rainbow is the answer to a neverending story
I have to nominate the Sandra Bullock abortion The Net--the entire film. Compared to that movie, Goldblum's antics are totally plausible.
Tom Cruise breaks into a vault at CIA with their most important computer, and when presented with a login screen clicks the "override" button on the computer (right next to the "ok" button), which simply logs in without having to enter a password.
"Greetings Professor Falken"
need i say more? WarGames is probably the most cheezy movie of them all.
You shut your whore mouth!
Seriously, though, Wargames was probably the most accurate cracking movie ever made. Instead of "creating a GUI in Visual Basic and tracking an IP address" a la CSI: Braindead, the main character actually spent weeks poring over information about the creator of the system to try to work out how it was designed and what the likely methods would be to gain entrance. He also used social engineering techniques to gather information about his targets.
"Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
I just like how computers in general seem to be packed with either explosives or 5 megawatts of power in pretty much every sci-fi movie. Star Trek is one of the worst offenders for this. "Oh no, the computer is overloaded! *bzzzt, boom*" If I blew up a PC everytime it got stuck in a logic loop I'd be typing with hooks by now.
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
Look where all this talking got us, baby.
The best part was that it was done with one of those giant acoustically coupled phone modems.
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
You do realize Hackers isn't a film that you're supposed to take seriously, right? It's a great movie. Feel free to criticize technology in the majority of films out there, but complaining about it in Hackers is like complaining about how much Monty Python sucks, because "there isn't really any such thing as a ministry of funny walks!".
Why do computers on TV have to display all the photos/fingerprints in its database when doing any kind of search?
Because it is a visually appealing and dramatically effective way of suggesting the size and complexity of the database.
Frankly I find all CSI and all its knockoffs/ripoffs to be just atrocious on all technical levels. It's not just computers, its chemistry, DNA analysis, optics... I mean, this isn't forensic sciences going on in these shows like you would find on a reasonably decent show like, say, Quincy (which generally stayed well within the technical capabilities of forensics labs in its day and age). These guys have want amount of magic faerie machines.
Probably the worst aspect is this idea that all these forensics guys are cops with fancy machines. When is the last time you ever heard of an actual lab tech getting into a chase with a perp, or, in most cases, even being in the same fucking building as the perp?
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
I think "War Games" had a measure of accuracy, where the cracker spent weeks researching the private life of a system developer to try to work out what he might have used as a back-door password. Compared, say, to one of the Superman films -- was it Superman IV? -- in which all the cracker had to do was type "Override all security".
And don't forget the back-handed accuracy of Airplane II:
"Have you worked out what all those flashing lights mean yet?"
"No, sir. We're working on it"
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Except that it actually WAS a UNIX system, SGI IRIX to be exact. And it was a real file browser as well.
I think you're completely missing the point. Whether the system really was Unix or not is not the issue. What is so cringe inducing about the scene is that it leaves a far more important question unanswered: how does knowing that a system is running Unix enable one to understand the complex control software running a dinosaur park?
You wouldn't hear someone say, "hey the computers at my bank are running Windows 7: I know this," followed by the sound of all your money being drained from your account.
I have to agree. That scene in Jurassic Park was probably the worst computer scene I can remember.
If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
What makes Sneakers enjoyable for me (other than Dan Aykroyd underplaying it this time, well done) is you have two very close buddies, one gets caught and becomes evil and rich after prison, the other hasn't changed, and the climax is all Temptation of Christ-like: Ben Kingsley asks Redford to join him.
I think it's a metaphor for our generation, given the key to the untold wealth of the global (tech) kingdom, which would you choose? Transfer funds from the budget of the Bureau of Firearms Alcohol and Tobacco (iirc) towards the Campaign for the legalization of marijuana. Heck that's MY hero. Suspend your disbelief on this one, and grab the popcorn.
WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
They actually had a good set up, but blew it. Remember, the military had been tinkering with their own crashed alien ship for decades. They could have worked out an interface between human and alien computers, had a pilot qualified to fly it, etc. Goldblum's character could have just provided some last critical puzzle piece. You could finagle some reason for Smith's character to come along.
I think there is a difference between computer as plot device and computer as character and computer as magic. As a plot device, as it was used in Hackers it was quite inoffensive. I like the way they coupled the phones rather than using magic routing to hide the location. It was a valid plot device, like the Enterprise in ST:TOS.
Computer as magic, I really have no opinion one way or another. It is lazy writing, and has nothing to do with the computer. This is Independence day.
The computer as an integral part of the story is War Games and Jumpin Jack Flash are good examples of the form. A not so good one is Leverage. It is my opinion that they misused Data in ST:NG
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Whenever they show an IP address, all octets are > 255.
That is for the same reason most fictional phone number start with 555.
Um... all the computer systems shown in Jurassic Park where real. Even the 3D interface, that was something SGI came up with.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
Hey now, at the time it looked like the RISC architecture was going to change everything.
And if this site has proved 1 thing, it's the geeks always use hyerbole about new technology.
I call that scene: Accurate.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
From: CERT Bulletin
Date: 26 Jun 1996 15:43:18 GMT
Subject: CERT Advisory CA-96.13 - Alien/OS Vulnerability
Organization: CERT(sm) Coordination Center - +1 412-268-7090
Approved: cert-advisory@cert.org
Reply-To: cert-advisory-request@cert.org
Keywords: security CERT
Originator: cert-advisory@cert.org
CERT(sm) Advisory CA-96.13
July 4, 1996
Topic: ID4 virus, Alien/OS Vulnerability
The CERT Coordination Center has received reports of weaknesses in Alien/OS that can allow species with primitive information sciences technology to initiate denial-of-service attacks against MotherShip(tm) hosts. One report of exploitation of this bug has been received.
When attempting takeover of planets inhabited by such races, a trojan horse attack is possible that permits local access to the MotherShip host, enabling the implantation of executable code with full root access to mission-critical security features of the operating system.
The vulnerability exists in versions of EvilAliens' Alien/OS 34762.12.1 or later, and all versions of Microsoft's Windows/95. CERT advises against initiating further planet takeover actions until patches are available from these vendors. If planet takeover is absolutely necessary, CERT advises that affected sites apply the workarounds as specified below.
As we receive additional information relating to this advisory, we will place it in
ftp://info.cert.org/pub/cert_advisories/CA-96.13.README
We encourage you to check our README files regularly for updates on advisories that relate to your site.
1. Description
Alien/OS contains a security vulnerability, which strangely enough can be exploited by a primitive race running Windows/95. Although Alien/OS has been extensively field tested over millions of years by EvilAliens, Inc., the bug was only recently discovered during a routine invasion of a backwater planet. EvilAliens notes that the operating system had never before been tested against a race with "such a kick-ass president."
The vulnerability allows the insertion of executable code with root access to key security features of the operating system. In particular, such code can disable the NiftyGreenShield (tm) subsystem, allowing child processes to be terminated by unauthorized users.
Additionally, Alien/OS networking protocols can provide a low-bandwidth covert timing channel to a determined attacker.
2. Impact
Non-privileged primitive users can cause the total destruction of your entire invasion fleet and gain unauthorized access to files.
3. Solution
EvilAliens has supplied a workaround and a patch, as follows:
1. Workaround
To prevent unauthorized insertion of executables, install a firewall to selectively vaporize incoming packets that do not contain valid aliens. Also, disable the "Java" option in Netscape.
To eliminate the covert timing channel, remove untrusted hosts from routing tables. As tempting as it is, do not use target species' own satellites against them.
2. Patch
As root, install the "evil" package from the distribution tape.
(Optionally) save a copy of the existing /usr/bin/sendmai
I interpreted it as a cheeky way for a Marx Brother's fan to encourage people to watch all the movies. Clearly it doesn't work on people with no sense of humor.
Chris Mesterharm