Re:Show HN: Homemade 32-bit CPU and OS (2015) [video]
by VLM on Monday June 06, 2016 @09:23AM
(#11846552)
Remote reprogramming requiring a metal lathe, milling machine, and a cooperative operator onsite is not necessarily a bug with nukes. Expensive, but accidents are more expensive.
Re:Show HN: Homemade 32-bit CPU and OS (2015) [video]
by fit2rule on Monday June 06, 2016 @07:37AM
(#11845958)
In my case, it was just so that the Boss could prove the point: even his relay-CPU could handle the train signalling/switching systems, sometimes, better than the 'modern' versions we were all sweating on developing. Technological prowess runs deep in the train-nerds world.
Edit: I have encountered systems that were designed in the 1960s where they wanted to rely on tried and tested technology - so pretty much clockwork! This was for sequencing operations during the emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor, so being conservative in technology platform was perhaps understandable!