Seems the main problem here (as already noted by others) was a lack of DR facility not moving to the cloud. But this is the same for many SMB's, requirements for a decent internet connection (not in the costs and quite a bit) and you STILL need a DR solution for alot of the stuff. Googles and others have suffered outages.

Also they've struggled with the online versions of the accounts and expenses system, just because it's a SaaS solution doesn't mean it any good!

Also moving from internal BIND to GoDaddy for DNS - seriously.....

All about risks, not just the fact the device is RS-232 only, but can the manufacturer support the equipment and if it fails whats the cost to the business while the machine is down.

Sure we can all get 486's with ISA cards if the device needs connectivity to the outside world, but the device of that is a business risk and needs Mgmt to be aware of the issue.
I've had a parts carousel system go down for weeks while we replace gearboxes, made worse by a switch from AC to DC by the manufacturer. Costs to the business were huge and all production was slowed down. Mgmt were informed of the risks but wouldnt spend any money till if broke.

Basically you're looking at a CYA situation, make sure mgmt are informed in writing (email etc) of the issues around the machines and what costs there are vs getting in new machines and added benefits of new machines

the UK is the same, it's all about being distracted from driving, using a phone/txting etc is just a specific examples

https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

I've seen people applying makeup, eating, even reading a book (I kid not) never mind reading instructions or a map... they'll still pull you if the officer thinks you're driving distracted.

Quite - everything seemed to happen v quickly once the oil pipe broke. And yes the engine should be able to contain a broken blade

Allows get issues with new engines and the original Trent almost broke RR (its development costs being the major reason fir nationalising it in the 1970s from what I remember

Have been doing this for years. They constantly stream data to RR HQ and theres a team of highly experienced people watching the data. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPIYBgZNrsg&sns=tw

Another vote for LED
You can get v big 60" jobs quite easily and theres no burn-in esp if theres alot of static content as you imply

+1 to that exactly what i was thinking. Same for many countries

Uk is currently moving from the 7 tier IL 0-6 markers to a three tier system, so doesnt surprise the US are looking to follow this

So how does this work with the laws allowing those nice national security letter to be issued by the fbi etc?

All down to current CESG guidance on data soveriegnty. Until the new data classifications are fully launched (replacing the IL based system) this wont change, and event then its down to the accreditor to assess the risk so still doubtfull we'll be seeing any major offshoring

Since when was Dublin in the UK??? Not since Irish independance in the early 1920s.

Eire is a soverign state and given rhe history I can see why CESG wont entertain this level of offshoring

we dont like quakes in the UK so we'll keep the shale gas down there ;-)

Not here in the uk, and of course this price is very volatile anyway , more so then diesel with massive swings year on year.

none - STORM the embassy isn't what would happen, This would be the normal police who would remove the immunity and remove him under internation law.

Basically it's just forcing the Equadorians to make a descision, either kick out of the embassy or give him political assylum. They've been waffling about the whole thing for weeks so we just helped them make their minds up.

we've dropped about 10p in last 3 weeks, yes once again we're getting stuffed royaly in the UK.

(£1.30 a litre is the cheapest I can find anywhere. $7.63 a US Gallon)