Re^3: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics

Well you have to admit, that an OS with a "protected root filesystem", will be safer than any Windows solution. Of course, the police will probably like Window's cars, they will be able to cut your motor, with a single mouse click. (And probably listen to your conversations thru the backdoors to the microphone). :-)

So I would not doubt that Windows is used for exactly that reason, touting "increased public safety" as the rational. Of course, Microsoft will have "fine print" on every car sales receipt saying " we are not responsible for any accident , injury or death due to the wild viruses which are known to affect their OS".

I'm not really a human, but I play one on earth. flash japh

Comment on Re^3: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics

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Re^4: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics by hardburn (Abbot) on Feb 23, 2005 at 18:02 UTC
"Safer", sure. It's safer still to keep seperate systems and avoid monocultures. Cutting engines is already possible. The devices used by police in "2 Fast 2 Furious" are a bit fanciful, but actually not far from the truth. There are systems that can cut any engine by bombarding the computer with microwaves. This uses a fundamental vulnerability in semi-conductor technology. There are also lasers microphones which can pick up minute vibrations on a window, thus letting you hear whatever is inside. IIRC, it was recently ruled in the US that police need a court order to use such a device. In either case, the technology is available to do these things now, without exploiting the car's OS. "There is no shame in being self-taught, only in not trying to learn in the first place." -- Atrus, Myst: The Book of D'ni.	[reply]
Re^5: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics by zentara (Cardinal) on Feb 24, 2005 at 12:04 UTC
Yeah, but it would be safer than "microwaves or lasers". Just wait until the lawsuits come out. Microwaves can cause sterility (amoung other diseases), and lasers can cause blindness. I'm not really a human, but I play one on earth. flash japh	[reply]
Re^4: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics by Anonymous Monk on Feb 23, 2005 at 17:53 UTC
Well you have to admit, that an OS with a "protected root filesystem", will be safer than any Windows solution. Doubtful. I don't think that if your car gets an OS, the OS will have actual users. There will be just one user - and since that user will need super user permissions to access the various device files, I give you one guess which user that will be.	[reply]
Re^5: How Software Engineers Are Different Than Auto Mechanics by zentara (Cardinal) on Feb 24, 2005 at 12:00 UTC
I disagree, how else will you have "driver customization". Each person who drives, will log in and have his/her own customization settings. Seat position, speed limits, radio presets, etc., can all be saved. Maybe use a usb key to log in and start the car with "keys authorization"? Being able to "use" the wheel motors, dosn't mean you need priviledges to "change" the wheel drivers. I'm not really a human, but I play one on earth. flash japh	[reply]