If it is welcomed with alcohol and/or food, I will celebrate it!

Is a zombie turing test, so we know we're not being fooled by our robot overlords!

Only if they are unpriveleged users, otherwise:

$ sudo su

password: -user password-

#

To be fair to the hardworking acquisition troops in DoD, the Predator and Reaper were demonstrated and fielded through a short-cut process for fielding new capabilities quickly. When the normally thorough system design process is "streamlined" (or bypassed) to rapidly field a new capability, bad stuff can and does happen. Thus, the acquisition axiom, 'When you want it real bad, that's usually how you get it." As an example, of all the recorded predator losses through 2009, only ~3% were lost to enemy action (i.e., shot down). That means that rest crashed for other reasons like design flaws, equipment failure and pilot error. Not exactly what they projected for expected losses.

Commanders in the field are willing to accept risks to get a capability faster, but those risks are not always easy to predict, as this virus issue shows. For the GCS, the virus updates, map updates and any other software updates would have to be transferred from Internet connected systems. Media screening procedures were certainly put in place. It is a sub-opitimal solution, but not a tremendous risk given the system's isolation and controls in place. This event was, most likely, a process violation that led to an MBR infection, vice a system failure. In some cases risks are easier to predict, such as lack of logistics support for newly fielded systems that have not gone through a detailed logistics analysis and planning phase. The loggies then have to play catch up on supply chain, maintenance training, sparing levels and supportability planning.

To be fair to the accelerated processes, they meet a very real need to improve mission capability quickly. Balancing risk vs capability must prioritize those that choose to go forth and fight the war.

I strive to remain current on numerous OSs, including Android, Linux Client & Server (current fave Xubuntu) & Windows Client (now just XP - 7). Hands-on experience is the only way to remain familiar and current. Just don't have a need, the money, time or inclination for iOS, Lion or Windows server. That's what friends are for!

That none of the MPs like to pound the table with their papers, er, iPads!

There are no time zones on a generation ship, sailing the starry expanse!

Maybe they should look for a way to diminsh the strength and impact of hurricanes and typhoons.

Regardless of the direction of the nudge, we must pursue the technology. As we learn more about NEO nudging, it will apply equally to either case: towards or away. One day, we may need to implant some automated solar sails and a nuclear pulse engine on a larger NEO to keep it from impacting our little "pale blue dot" on its next pass!

We donate most of our PCs to charitable groups, after a good HD scrubbing or replacement. Some go to low income homes and others go to charity operations. If you can afford to buy a new PC every year (and who doesn't wish they could?), it's a good charitable deduction on your taxes. New tech for you and relatively new tech for them, WIN-WIN!

Federal records regulations are broad and rather simple. If material doesn't meet a specific condition for retention, such as an open investigation, then it must be destroyed within a specified time frame, based on the content of the material. These rules were developed when paper was the primary medium of storage.

To paraphrase: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by bureaucracy."

That we're Linux Freax?

- Thanks Linus!

"This is the voice of Guardian. This is the voice of Colossus. We are one."

Though the capacity is rather small, I wonder if the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle could carry critical supplies to the ISS? It's designed for quick turn-around and maneuverability. Would have to spacewalk for those supplies, though. No docking system on OTV that I know of.

"'Tis but a scratch!" This deal barely covers (or doesn't depending on whose numbers you believe) the liberal democrat fueled growth in government spending over last year! I don't like the Obama "get out of election trouble free" card aspect of it. I do like the guillotine clause for additional cuts. Politics aside, it's time to get serious about reversing unbridled, unreasonable and unsustainable government spending.