A chapter every computer manual should have

From: John Ruschmeyer <jruschme_at_exit109.com>
Date: Wed Sep 23 08:32:36 1998

> > The last chapter of my "Gun Direction Computer M15" manual has a section
> > on destroying the computer if it should fall into enemy hands:
>
> Instructions ("destructions" as Greenback and Stilletto would say) like
> this are common in military tech manuals - at least ones that have even
> the smallest chance of being near the front.

This one hits close to home...

My previous job involved developing software for the Army's Maneuver Control
System. The target environment being a GTE-ruggedized Sparc 20.

One of the longstanding issues that had not been resolved was the
implementation of the "Emergency Purge" procedure. Basically, this was the
menu option that the operator was supposed to select in the event of
imminent capture, etc. It was supposed to do something like a wipe of the
disk within some relatively short time requirement.

The problem was, no one ever could write or buy a piece of software which
could wipe the disk to the satisfaction of the security people within the
allotted time.

About a week before I left, the decision was made to have the E-Purge menu
option do nothing more than pop up a dialog box which read (approx.)
"Emergency Purge: Please destroy remove the disk and destroy IAW your
Operating Procedures".

I'll reserve further comment...
<<<John>>>
(who personally preferred the idea of /dev/thermite)
Received on Wed Sep 23 1998 - 08:32:36 BST