[R-390] (no subject)

[mikea]

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Subject: Re: [R-390] off topic interesting read
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In-Reply-To: <20090408125538.N26043 at discord.bogons>

On Wed, Apr 08, 2009 at 12:59:06PM -0600, Richard Loken wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Apr 2009, odyslim at comcast.net wrote:
> 
> > I know this is off topic but worth reading. Individuals have been caught
> > trying to map out our power grids.
> 
> Using Windows to manage the power grid are we?  Does Microsoft still have 
> that warranty clause on Windows that tells you not to use Windows for 
> anything that risks life, limb, money, or truth, justice, and the American 
> way?
> 
> People continue to astonish me!

AIUI, it's an interesting mix of FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, various 
flavors of Solaris, some Silicon Graphics stuff, AIX, and you-name-it,
which, like Topsy, "just growed". And, of course, there's Gatesware in
it. Most SCADA stuff used not to be connected to the public Internet, 
and I'm mystified that anyone would ever connect one to the other. The
downside is just too bad to justify the gamble. 

Topicality: without the grid, I have to fire up the generator to run 
my R-390 and two R-390A, but the RF noise from the neighborhood goes
*WAAAAAAAAY* down. I learned that from the last few big ice storms. 
If I just get out the batteries and run my sand-state rigs off them, 
without genny, then it's hear-much-better time. 182 Ampere-hours will
run the rig a long time, too. 

-- 
Mike Andrews, W5EGO
mikea at mikea.ath.cx
Tired old sysadmin