Comments on: MS Windows XP in Control of Royal Navy Nuclear Powered Sub fleet

By: amodedoma

amodedoma — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:01:59 +0000

Yeah, uh, ok…. I wonder if I could get a remote desktop going. I mean if they’re stupid enough to use windows they probrably don’t know jack about security, right? It sure would be sweet to be able to remote control a nuclear submarine from my living room!

By: bobbo

bobbo — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:12:34 +0000

The dangers of this were not apparent to me until Zorkor said “windows in the submarine.” And yet he approves.

Like a lead balloon, I guess certain idioms of speech don’t translate.

By: zorkor

zorkor — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:52:26 +0000

That shows Windows OS is more powerful than what apple worms want you to know. Its much better to use a Windows that a fruity OS with a tiger name on it.

Windwos is good if you dont overflow it with too much bloatware. So i bet they are using the Windows in the submarine for a speicifc purpose only, so its getting the job done.

Dont blame the windows when you install 6 web browsers, 20 MP3 players, 30 Video players and your systems crashes. You have only yourself to blame.

“Hey Captain, look at this cool glassy effect on my system when I fire the torpedoes.” cries the navy guy running MacOS.

By: JimD

JimD — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:52:17 +0000

Don’t worry !!! Its only HMS Pinafore !!!

By: Greg Allen

Greg Allen — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 03:06:50 +0000

Good for the Royal Navy to use off-the-shelf software, when possible.

One of the best ways to steal money from the troops under the Bush administration was to get a software contract for the DOD.

You could deliver totally unusable crap and still get paid millions.

By: ECA

ECA — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:17:35 +0000

I can see it NOW…
the WHOLE ship is networked..
A few for wondering the net…For personal use..

For those that understand this..
SPAM BOTS and Virus ALL OVER the system.

By: asenna

asenna — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:11:24 +0000

Fortunately for all the diesel-electric sub owning nations the implementation makes British subs slower and slower every year they are in service.

By: Glenn E.

Glenn E. — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:58:48 +0000

I’m guessing they avoided Vista because of its driver revocation feature. Which could knock out some critical system, and not even tell them. On the other hand, adopting XP sounds somewhat like a PR move. Rather than using something like Linux or Unix, that could be thoroughly locked down. They chose what was most likely to be popular with the new recruits. It save the Royal Navy having to teach an unfamiliar OS to its members. And they can brag that the use of XP will carry into civilian jobs.

By: GetSmart

GetSmart — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:43:34 +0000

Get ready for the Blue Screendoor of Death.

By: TonyB

TonyB — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:30:36 +0000

I think I’ll go change my underwear now.

By: ECA

ECA — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:47:28 +0000

I can see it now…
Wondering the Ocean, and your laptop picks up a WIRELESS signal, and WINDOWS AUTO connects…

LOVELY…

By: QB

QB — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 05:23:32 +0000

A 2004 article from the Register about the AMS systems (yes I know, the S is redundant).

It’s interesting to see that this systems battle has been going on for several years. It’s also important for hacks like me to learn yet again is that architectural choices (e.g. Unix vs Windows) are rarely made by sane rational decision processes – regardless of their outcome.

By: ECA

ECA — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:08:01 +0000

PLEASE some tell me a C64 is controlling these ships..

By: SnotLikeBlasterpoop

SnotLikeBlasterpoop — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:53:49 +0000

Well……can’t use a commie OS like Linux….

By: Angel H. Wong

Angel H. Wong — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:46:47 +0000

Be grateful it’s not using OSX, otherwise the Royal navy’s budget would cost three times much and only in maintenance.