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Written by Felix Wong - View Profile
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Monday, 17 September 2007 |
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Do you remember the FOX TV show that ran in 2000-2002 that featured Jessica Alba as a genetically enhanced supersoldier? One background element for that futuristic program was that in 2009, an electromagnetic pulse weapon was detonated by terrorists over the U.S., destroying computer and communication systems and throwing our country into utter chaos.
I was reminded of that scenario at both the Driver's License Office and the Post Office one morning last week.
I went to the former to add a motorcycle endorsement to my license, only to be greeted by signs that proclaimed, "Computer systems are down in the entire state of Colorado." Still, I was cheerily handed a number and I sat down among at least a few dozen other patrons waiting their turn.
My number was 962 and a red LED display on the wall indicated that number 934 was being served. I waited for 15 minutes, but the LED display did not increment the number by even one. Hence, I left the office, ran an errand on the other side of town, and came back one hour later.
To my disbelief and utter dismay, the LED display was still reading 934! "Computers are still down," another patron confirmed.
I resigned that getting a motorcycle endorsement would have to wait another day, and then proceeded to the Post Office.
Over there, only two other people were in line. Yet, it took 15 minutes to reach the register. "My computer is really slow," complained the postman behind the counter, shaking his head numerous times.
It was a glum reminder of how dependent our society is on computers today. The scary thing is these computer shutdowns and malfunctions seem all too common (e.g., the laptop I am typing this on already crashed once today), even in the absence of terrorist or viral activity. Throw in some rogue elements like Al Qaida or computer-hacking miscreants, and a "Dark Angel" scenario seems very plausible. Heck, I just experienced one last week. | Only registered users can write comments.
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A Breath of Fresh Air (60)
writen by: felix
Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. |
|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
| | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
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I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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