In my business, industrial automation, I have customers that are still using DOS, OS/2, Netware, and Windows 95/NT for programming and operator interface PCs. Upgrading to a new OS often requires upgrading the 15-30 year old control hardware because the PC applications will not run on the latest Windows. Yes, I have done some virtualization in-house as proof of concept, but manufacturing companies cannot justify the expense just to use the latest OS.
Only after a major breakdown, vendor support becomes nonexistant, or other serious complication, do such companies begin to consider making changes.
Most unfortunately, once Vista becomes available at Best Buy, Frys, and CompUSA, the availability of "legacy" Windows will disappear. I have experienced this tryng to purchase new copies of NT and 2000 for installation on brand new Dell workstations.
Those of conflicting races, religions, and beliefs will continue to battle with each other until the end of time. Its an aspect of human nature.
The West vs Mid-East fight will see an end only if one side assimilates into the other. Restricting the liberties of US citizens only brings the USA than much closer to becomming like those that oppose us.
Dave
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
Diebold's ATMs may not be perfectly secure as a stand-alone process. However, using the ATM with external management and auditing processes make it "acceptable". I would hazard a guess that most financial institutions would not use a device that imposes a risk to the reputation of the company.
IMO, securing a company's data is somewhat different than securing the company's facilities. Insurance can pay for inventory and equipment lost due to fire, theft, acts of God. However, no amount of insurance can pay for lost or stolen information.
As an electrical engineer in the industrial automation industry, I am irked by the removal of "legacy" I/O on PCs. Parallel ports not so much, but RS232 is still widely used on PLCs, robotics, data collection systems, etc. It is almost impossible to find an inexpensive laptop with as RS232 port. Yes, yes, I have used the USB-to-RS232 adapter modules, but usable ones cost >$50; industrial-rated models even more.
I agree PS/2 needs to go, but I feel RS232 needs to stay until USB can be inexpensively "industrialized".
I wish IEEE 1394 had been more widely accepted prior to USBv2. I suppose Apple's technology license was costly at the time. Not a big deal now though.
More than I year ago, I used a vending machine at Hartsfield in Atlanta to purchase a pack of CDRs. Also available was a pre-pay mobile phone, digital camera, USB flash drive, "universal" laptop power supply, and other items. The machine was rather near, using X/Y linear stages to move a bin to pick the purchased item from the rack, then place it into the delivery bin. Touchscreen interface, likely WinXPe, but nevertheless a neat machine.
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In my business, industrial automation, I have customers that are still using DOS, OS/2, Netware, and Windows 95/NT for programming and operator interface PCs. Upgrading to a new OS often requires upgrading the 15-30 year old control hardware because the PC applications will not run on the latest Windows. Yes, I have done some virtualization in-house as proof of concept, but manufacturing companies cannot justify the expense just to use the latest OS.
Only after a major breakdown, vendor support becomes nonexistant, or other serious complication, do such companies begin to consider making changes.
Most unfortunately, once Vista becomes available at Best Buy, Frys, and CompUSA, the availability of "legacy" Windows will disappear. I have experienced this tryng to purchase new copies of NT and 2000 for installation on brand new Dell workstations.
Those of conflicting races, religions, and beliefs will continue to battle with each other until the end of time. Its an aspect of human nature.
The West vs Mid-East fight will see an end only if one side assimilates into the other. Restricting the liberties of US citizens only brings the USA than much closer to becomming like those that oppose us.
Dave
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin
Diebold's ATMs may not be perfectly secure as a stand-alone process. However, using the ATM with external management and auditing processes make it "acceptable". I would hazard a guess that most financial institutions would not use a device that imposes a risk to the reputation of the company.
IMO, securing a company's data is somewhat different than securing the company's facilities. Insurance can pay for inventory and equipment lost due to fire, theft, acts of God. However, no amount of insurance can pay for lost or stolen information.
As an electrical engineer in the industrial automation industry, I am irked by the removal of "legacy" I/O on PCs. Parallel ports not so much, but RS232 is still widely used on PLCs, robotics, data collection systems, etc. It is almost impossible to find an inexpensive laptop with as RS232 port. Yes, yes, I have used the USB-to-RS232 adapter modules, but usable ones cost >$50; industrial-rated models even more.
I agree PS/2 needs to go, but I feel RS232 needs to stay until USB can be inexpensively "industrialized".
I wish IEEE 1394 had been more widely accepted prior to USBv2. I suppose Apple's technology license was costly at the time. Not a big deal now though.
There are no servers in the APC truck, just UPS and climate control. Maybe a gateway and switch for the satellite transceiver.
Put Google or Sun's MDC in one of these, and you got a solution.
From APC site: Standard Lead Time: Special Order - Call for Quoted Lead Times. Really? I hadn't guessed.
FiOS is an "Information Service", where as POTS is still a "Telecommunication Service". I think this is the distinction.
It is a person's choice to:
1) Use such a device
2) Share the resulting data with others
Only you can protect your privacy. Don't blame the technology.
More than I year ago, I used a vending machine at Hartsfield in Atlanta to purchase a pack of CDRs. Also available was a pre-pay mobile phone, digital camera, USB flash drive, "universal" laptop power supply, and other items. The machine was rather near, using X/Y linear stages to move a bin to pick the purchased item from the rack, then place it into the delivery bin. Touchscreen interface, likely WinXPe, but nevertheless a neat machine.