Archonic's Archaic Acronymical Antidisestablishmentarianism Random banter 148

[KuReshtin]

Actually, it'd screw up the entire world's economic system, a lot of governments, transportation, etc.
People are becoming increasingly reliant on computers (myself included, sadly) for not only work but also entertainment.
This is having the (un)happy side effect of making it rather easy to allow the things people do and say to be tracked. That's a subject for a different time. I don't have time to indulge in my paranoia right now. I have work to do, and I've gotta work fast.

I agree that it'd screw up a lot of things that people are relying on in modern lifestyles, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

We'd be set back about 60-70 years, but we'd adapt and move on.

[AtlanteanTroll]

I agree that it'd screw up a lot of things that people are relying on in modern lifestyles, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

We'd be set back about 60-70 years, but we'd adapt and move on.

*laughs* I doubt it.

[Rawhide]

Something about the radio towers (not what they're called) telling the planes where to land and not having that capability because of the computers used being on the fritz.

My main point is that there are a considerable number of safeties in place, not to mention workarounds, as well as many planes that have no reliance on dates whatsoever.

Planes don't need to know the date, though many do. It is something that can easily be worked around. At the very least, they have something known as pilots who can do something known as a completely manual landing...

P.S. There were more errors on February 29th than there was on January 1st.

[Thufir]

Help! I've been attacked by a mountain!

Well, if Koorly won't go to the mountain, then the mountain must go to Koorly.

(why are they all virtually scheduled for Thursday? Six hours of lectures is not fun for someone who's normally had two a day on average)

See, when I had that I found it kind of a mixed blessing. Yes, my monday was hell, but then the rest of the week was incredibly relaxed by comparison.

Three of which involve singing and rehearsals for performances.

What are you singing this term?

It was very funny propaganda actually.
Such is life in Soviet Camford.

In Soviet Camford, fridge cleans you!

Hey! I am perfectly normal, with the exception of my incredible intellect and unbelievable humility!

I used to be conceited, but now I'm iust perfect.

So say my parents.

Those well known authorities on computing issues.

*laughs* I doubt it.

Seriously? I mean I know people can be pessimistic about the human race, but adapting to things is what we do, as a species. We're very good at it.
Have a little faith.

[absolmorph]

I used to be conceited, but now I'm iust perfect.

I try not to rub my perfection in the faces of others.

[AtlanteanTroll]

P.S. There were more errors on February 29th than there was on January 1st.

Considering the Y2K Problem was solved before it happened, I'd say that point is moot.

[Rawhide]

Considering the Y2K Problem was solved before it happened, I'd say that point is moot.

The potential problems were way overhyped. Errors and mistakes would have happened, but civilization would not have crawled to a halt if the bugs had not been fixed, nor would the majority of proclaimed problems.

P.S. Now we have to worry about the Year 2038 Bug.

[AtlanteanTroll]

The potential problems were way overhyped. Errors and mistakes would have happened, but civilization would not have crawled to a halt if the bugs had not been fixed, nor would the majority of proclaimed problems.

Well, it never happened, so how can you say that?

P.S. Now we have to worry about the Year 2038 Bug.

Fixed already. All hail Wikipedia.

[Rawhide]

Well, it never happened, so how can you say that?

Because they have performed tests on it. Because they have run the programs in a sandbox environment. Because there has been a lot of research performed on this problem, which does not match up with the sensationalist portrayal of the problem by the media. Because there were places that did not fix their Y2K problems prior to the year 2000 that had errors which were easily fixed.

Fixed already. All hail Wikipedia.

As it says on Wikipedia, it is not fixed for any operating that still stores or needs to "store system time as a signed 32-bit integer, and interpret this number as the number of seconds since 00:00:00 UTC on Thursday, 1 January 1970". Wikipedia is quite clear in stating that "There is no straightforward and general fix for this problem for existing CPU and operating system combinations, existing file systems, or existing binary data formats."

[AtlanteanTroll]

Because they have performed tests on it. Because they have run the programs in a sandbox environment. Because there has been a lot of research performed on this problem, which does not match up with the sensationalist portrayal of the problem by the media. Because there were places that did not fix their Y2K problems prior to the year 2000 that had errors which were easily fixed."

You're ruining my lack of an argument.

As it says on Wikipedia, it is not fixed for any operating that still stores or needs to "store system time as a signed 32-bit integer, and interpret this number as the number of seconds since 00:00:00 UTC on Thursday, 1 January 1970". Wikipedia is quite clear in stating that "There is no straightforward and general fix for this problem for existing CPU and operating system combinations, existing file systems, or existing binary data formats."

People won't have 32-bit Computers in 2038. I bet.

[Rawhide]

People won't have 32-bit Computers in 2038. I bet.

Some businesses still use 8-bit and 16-bit computers. And it doesn't have to be the year 2038 for it to cause problems. As it mentioned on Wikipedia, it has already crashed AOL's systems.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Some businesses still use 8 bit computers. And it doesn't have to be the year 2038 for it to cause problems. As it mentioned on Wikipedia, it has already crashed AOL's systems.

What's this AOL of which you speak?

[Rawhide]

What's this AOL of which you speak?

I never mention AOL except to talk about its faults. So, tell me, did I mention AOL or didn't I?

[AtlanteanTroll]

I never mention AOL except to talk about its faults. So, tell me, did I mention AOL or didn't I?

I-I-I was making fun of how old it is.

[Rawhide]

I-I-I was making fun of how old it is.

AOL is still very much alive and kicking. Much to the chagrin of real internet users everywhere.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

What's this AOL of which you speak?

See, I actually don't know what AOL is. and/or was. All I know is I found a cd when I was 6 that said it installed the internet or something. I was 6, so I dunno how much I really can remember...

[Haruki-kun]

See, I actually don't know what AOL is. and/or was. All I know is I found a cd when I was 6 that said it installed the internet or something. I was 6, so I dunno how much I really can remember...

Funny, I remember a certain CD that was used as a coaster, frisbee, guide to draw circles, tool to run down my brother's back, etc.

Can't remember installing internet with it, though.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

I mean, it sounds kinda silly. "Just one sec, I'm installing the internets!"

[AtlanteanTroll]

I mean, it sounds kinda silly. "Just one sec, I'm installing the internets!"

AOL. The A is for American right? Why were you using it Canadian? (Joking)

[Rawhide]

AOL. The A is for American right? Why were you using it Canadian? (Joking)

Even in Australia we received coasters for America Online.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Even in Australia we received coasters for America Online.

That is quite shocking.

[Haruki-kun]

Yup. Mexico got them too. Given out in shopping malls, streets, magazines, mail... you name it. I think AOL's marketing was "let's see if we can get them so sick of us, they install it."

I mean, it sounds kinda silly. "Just one sec, I'm installing the internets!"

See, the problem with installing the Internet is that you have to download it first...

Spoiler

Show

[AtlanteanTroll]

Oh. My. God.

Comedy Centralis doing this charity for Autism that's called Night of Too Many Stars. They did a bid, and this woman payed 20,000 dollars for Chris Rock to curse out her ex. Remember, the money went to charity.

Freaking. Hillarious.

I almost puked from laughing.

[absolmorph]

I...
I think my metaphor privileges might need to be revoked.
That was... Ooooh, that was bad .-.

[KuReshtin]

It was more a case of 'let's send out free copies of the software in every single technology/computer/gossip/fishing/hiking/boxing/sports/whatever magazine there is, and say that it's free. Everyone knows that free is good, and because of that, everyone will use AOL to connect to the internet'.

I would suspect that the vast majority of the AOL CDs that were distrubuted were either discarded or used as coasters, frisbees and/or any other use you could think of instad of actually using it to install the AOL software.

America Online. The innovators of internet spam. They just spammed everyone, regardless if they were connected to the internet or not.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

They spammed you not OVER the internet, but WITH internets!

[absolmorph]

They spammed you not OVER the internet, but WITH internets!

My family never used those CDs for anything, IIRC.

[Zeb The Troll]

I remember reading about a guy who wallpapered his house with the AOL cd's he got in the mail.

[Gullara]

Must stop staying up late when I have to get up early. Woo, five hours of sleep before a midterm. I'm going to sleep before five hours becomes four.

Goodnight.

[Amiel]

Was he perchance planning on selling the wall on eBay?
It could be a collector's item now.