Comment Re:Why is this news? (Score 1) 961
I was *supposed* to be thinking about how I could link the coffee machine to the a wireless network so I could sync it with my WiFi alarm clock and e-mail program, said the interviewer.
That's just silly - it is an in-car coffee maker, not a self-powered portable coffee maker. The correct answer is:
USB communication over the power connector (or possibly bluetooth, but that re-introduces the authentication problems below) allowing communication with the car's on-board computer. This provides for a single wireless signal for all devices in the car, increasing overall available bandwidth (less interference due to less devices competing for wifi bandwidth)
Less interference and bandwidth problems on the freeway (where you might have hundreds of cars armed with many wifi transmitters competing for bandwidth) and a single point of authentication, making it easier to manage remote access to the devices in your car, thus preventing your neighbour from making sure you get cold coffee in the morning (or flattening your battery).
Reducing the number of wireless transmitters in each car is also a friendly move towards your fellow commuters, and other wifi users in general, as they suffer less from your signal interference with their equipment.
This design also reduces the cost of future exansion (you might want coffee in the back).
That answer would probably win me a job in OSS, but obviously not in Microsoft.
That's just silly - it is an in-car coffee maker, not a self-powered portable coffee maker. The correct answer is:
USB communication over the power connector (or possibly bluetooth, but that re-introduces the authentication problems below) allowing communication with the car's on-board computer. This provides for a single wireless signal for all devices in the car, increasing overall available bandwidth (less interference due to less devices competing for wifi bandwidth)
Less interference and bandwidth problems on the freeway (where you might have hundreds of cars armed with many wifi transmitters competing for bandwidth) and a single point of authentication, making it easier to manage remote access to the devices in your car, thus preventing your neighbour from making sure you get cold coffee in the morning (or flattening your battery).
Reducing the number of wireless transmitters in each car is also a friendly move towards your fellow commuters, and other wifi users in general, as they suffer less from your signal interference with their equipment.
This design also reduces the cost of future exansion (you might want coffee in the back).
That answer would probably win me a job in OSS, but obviously not in Microsoft.
