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Ask Slashdot: Worst Computer Scene In TV or Movies?

Posted by Soulskill on from the this-is-a-unix-system-i-know-this dept.

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?"

7 of 1,200 comments (clear)

  1. Swordfish: The whole damn movie! by supremebob · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Seriously... there are several scenes in that movie that are unbelievably bad. Pick your favorite!

  2. Easily CSI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'll create a GUI interface using Visual Basic, see if I can track an IP address!

    1. Re:Easily CSI by geekoid · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Actually it make sense. This is one of those thing software GUI creators could learn something from the Movies..

      People are impatient. When they have to wait they get frustrated.

      Having a bunch of finger print go by keeps the person active so they don't notices it takes 15 seconds and not 5 seconds.

      One time I was praised for dramatically increase the speed of a program. My secret? I put up a spinning DOS prompt.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  3. Re:Agree by bhcompy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    One deleted scene referenced that modern computers were derived from the Area 51 alien spaceship. The deletion of that scene created the plothole, but the plothole isn't really a plothole.

  4. ID4 was fine by geekoid · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A) They studied the tech for years.
    B) The raise is a hive mind. As such crime wouldn't be an issue.
    C) minimal to no software virus protection
    D) He can write an emulator.

    That movie complaint is unwarranted.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  5. Re:Hackers, obviously... by Homburg · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The screens in Hackers are obviously a visual metaphor, and a good one at that. The technological nit that did annoy me is that the film doesn't seem to understand the difference between a username and a password.

  6. OTOH, Robocop was surpisingly accurate by RevWaldo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Sure no cyborgs, and we're still working on ED209, but back in 1987 Robocop had:

    - computer interfaces that resembled web sites
    - a device for tracking Robocop that looks suspiciously like a smartphone
    - digital video recording, as well as DVDs (didn't exist until '93)

    Plus:

    - stupidly oversized cars that wasted gas (6000 SUX)
    - ultraviolent games for the whole family (Nukem!)
    - Ford Taurus police cars (back when Crown Victorias were standard issue, they looked very "futuristic")
    - ads for medical services (unheard of in '87)
    - privatized police, military, prisons, and spacecraft
    - and autoflush urinals!


    .

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    Prisencolinensinainciusol. Ol Rait!