microcode, compilers, and supercomputer architecture

From: Dwight Elvey <elvey_at_hal.com>
Date: Tue Apr 6 11:49:48 1999

Max Eskin <max82_at_surfree.com> wrote:
>
> I have heard of Airbuses crashing because the controls were poorly
> designed. I've never heard of a 777 crashing. I've also never heard of any
> medical machines failing, though this would tend to be underpublicized.

 There was a case a while back that had a radiation
machine. If one entered numbers too fast for the
uP to keep up, it would put the output to full blast.
As it recall, a couple of people were killed by
it until they figured out what happened.
 Fact is, things fail, some fail because of human
error and others just fail because of unseen flaws.
Even horses some times stumble and break the necks
of their riders.
 It is really all about risk assessment. As a hole,
people tend to over react in some cases and
under react in others. It is human nature.
You can be a luddite or just enjoy life. Of
course, you may also enjoy being a luddite.
Dwight
Received on Tue Apr 06 1999 - 11:49:48 BST