microcode, compilers, and supercomputer architecture

From: Clint Wolff <clintw_at_colorado.cirrus.com>
Date: Tue Apr 6 13:30:10 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.
>

Actually, the THERAC-25 radiation therapy machine is a good example of
poor hardware AND software design which killed a number of people by
giving them too high a dose of radiation, either for too long or
without the proper screen in place.

clint
Received on Tue Apr 06 1999 - 13:30:10 BST