FBIT.ni
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You expected the government to do something right? Shame on you. I worked on the surveillance system for the MX Missile Train before congress killed it years ago. It was my first and last encounter regarding the disconnect between design, specification, and implementation. For example, there was this 60 pound pan-tilt platform on which another 30 pound camera enclosure and $20,000 low-light camera was to be attached. It was spec'd to "pop" out of the security car (with the missile sandwiched inbetween) within something like 1/4 second. Pop is right. We figured that the velocity needed to move that thing from its enclosure would have sheared it off its mounting bolts. Another great story was the railroad buff who identified the MX missile train during test runs on the US railway system. How? Well, the trucks (the wheel assembly) had 3 pairs instead of the usual two, and the cars were completely unmarked. Put 2 + 2 together, something the military can't do... They figured that if they parked the train facing east-west, the sunrise or sunset would burn out the photomultiplier on the side mounted low-light cameras. It would also set off the sensors that detected nuclear explosions. Never got around to fixing that problem. When the project was cancelled, we were working on a mechanical shutter that would close the camera during high intensity light situations. Couldn't fit the mechanical shutter into the housing though. Oops. Shall I go on??? Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka -
You expected the government to do something right? Shame on you. I worked on the surveillance system for the MX Missile Train before congress killed it years ago. It was my first and last encounter regarding the disconnect between design, specification, and implementation. For example, there was this 60 pound pan-tilt platform on which another 30 pound camera enclosure and $20,000 low-light camera was to be attached. It was spec'd to "pop" out of the security car (with the missile sandwiched inbetween) within something like 1/4 second. Pop is right. We figured that the velocity needed to move that thing from its enclosure would have sheared it off its mounting bolts. Another great story was the railroad buff who identified the MX missile train during test runs on the US railway system. How? Well, the trucks (the wheel assembly) had 3 pairs instead of the usual two, and the cars were completely unmarked. Put 2 + 2 together, something the military can't do... They figured that if they parked the train facing east-west, the sunrise or sunset would burn out the photomultiplier on the side mounted low-light cameras. It would also set off the sensors that detected nuclear explosions. Never got around to fixing that problem. When the project was cancelled, we were working on a mechanical shutter that would close the camera during high intensity light situations. Couldn't fit the mechanical shutter into the housing though. Oops. Shall I go on??? Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka -
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Why are you so interested in US government agencies?? :confused: Mike Mullikin :beer:
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. - Emo Philips
What a question is that? I know the "why are you interested in.." question only as a warning: stop asking. I guess that's *not* what you mean. Why shouldn't I? The US have quite some influence on the world (and, yes, on my daily life - maybe that's the confusing concept). When the US "explains" some of their moves, they often assume infallibility on their side.
It's a royal pain to watch a sex drugs and rock'n'roll design decay into an aids crack and techno implementation [sighist] [Agile Programming] [doxygen]
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You expected the government to do something right? Shame on you. I worked on the surveillance system for the MX Missile Train before congress killed it years ago. It was my first and last encounter regarding the disconnect between design, specification, and implementation. For example, there was this 60 pound pan-tilt platform on which another 30 pound camera enclosure and $20,000 low-light camera was to be attached. It was spec'd to "pop" out of the security car (with the missile sandwiched inbetween) within something like 1/4 second. Pop is right. We figured that the velocity needed to move that thing from its enclosure would have sheared it off its mounting bolts. Another great story was the railroad buff who identified the MX missile train during test runs on the US railway system. How? Well, the trucks (the wheel assembly) had 3 pairs instead of the usual two, and the cars were completely unmarked. Put 2 + 2 together, something the military can't do... They figured that if they parked the train facing east-west, the sunrise or sunset would burn out the photomultiplier on the side mounted low-light cameras. It would also set off the sensors that detected nuclear explosions. Never got around to fixing that problem. When the project was cancelled, we were working on a mechanical shutter that would close the camera during high intensity light situations. Couldn't fit the mechanical shutter into the housing though. Oops. Shall I go on??? Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka MuraokaLOL! No need to go on... I was a Project Engineer at TRW Ballistic Missile Div. on the same project. Although my bailiwick was support equipment, I saw plenty!:-D We should talk - there's a couple of aspects about the garrison security system I'd still like to know more about, especially in the kill zone between the IZ and OZ.:) Nobody wants to read a diary by someone who has not seen the shadow of Bubba on the prison shower wall in front of them!
Paul Watson, on BLOGS and privacy - 1/16/2003 -
What a question is that? I know the "why are you interested in.." question only as a warning: stop asking. I guess that's *not* what you mean. Why shouldn't I? The US have quite some influence on the world (and, yes, on my daily life - maybe that's the confusing concept). When the US "explains" some of their moves, they often assume infallibility on their side.
It's a royal pain to watch a sex drugs and rock'n'roll design decay into an aids crack and techno implementation [sighist] [Agile Programming] [doxygen]
You think that one's good - you should see what the IRS did with their computer upgrades! Nobody wants to read a diary by someone who has not seen the shadow of Bubba on the prison shower wall in front of them!
Paul Watson, on BLOGS and privacy - 1/16/2003 -
What a question is that? I know the "why are you interested in.." question only as a warning: stop asking. I guess that's *not* what you mean. Why shouldn't I? The US have quite some influence on the world (and, yes, on my daily life - maybe that's the confusing concept). When the US "explains" some of their moves, they often assume infallibility on their side.
It's a royal pain to watch a sex drugs and rock'n'roll design decay into an aids crack and techno implementation [sighist] [Agile Programming] [doxygen]
peterchen wrote: I guess that's *not* what you mean. No, it wasn't any kind of warning. I was only asking a question. peterchen wrote: The US have quite some influence on the world (and, yes, on my daily life - maybe that's the confusing concept). Yes, this is confusing to me. I work for a German owned company. I work personally with Germans almost every day. I work personally with people from the UK and Spain a couple times a month. I've developed friendships with all of these folks and quite honestly in 17 years I've never heard a single one of them mention that the US government influences their daily life. I've heard them joke about our presidents now and then (Bush Sr, Clinton, Bush Jr) but I've also heard them joke about their own leaders too. Often times they complain about their high taxes or socialized healthcare. Mike Mullikin :beer:
Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps. - Emo Philips