Meltdown What Meltdown? Southwest Flew On Time All Day

forbes ^ | Jul 20, 2024, | Ted Reed

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

“That’s because major portions of the airline’s computer systems are still using Windows 3.1, a 32-year-old version of Microsoft’s computer operating software,” the website said. “It’s so old that the CrowdStrike issue doesn’t affect it so Southwest is still operating as normal. It’s typically not a good idea to wait so long to update, but in this one instance Southwest has done itself a favor.”

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TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bug; chat; crowdstrike; microsoft

[rottweiller_inc]

well most business backup via making an image (like a snapshot) of the prior files so to restore it they just go back to a prior image..of course if your computer is bricked that’s hard to do

[wildcard_redneck]

So true, the frequent, unceasing, automatic updates are a pain in the backside and a huge security risk.

[xp38]

Thank You! JK...my nick is an obscure line from star wars.

[Gena Bukin]

[Angelino97]

I heard that 3.1 was just a GUI over DOS.

And that Win 95 was the first true, fully integrated Windows OS.

[rottweiller_inc]

yeah. They did have an earlier 32 bit 3.11 windows for workgroups but that also was a GUI for DoS

[Persevero]

Yeah I guess my thought, these major companies like airlines and etc. -

should run parallel systems, using different hardware and software. I am no computer scientist. But I do similar things in my life.

I keep a pen and paper checkbook, I have the online accounting. I keep 5x7 cards of my captains, I have an excel spreadsheet. I mean, on a small scale, that’s the best way to do things. I have my rolodex AND my contacts in my phone. I have postage stamps and physical addresses in addition to emails and phone numbers. You know?

Because things break down. Always have a plan B

[dadfly]

good for them. when you’re just one of the goat herd, the enemy can easily lead you off the cliff.

ah but the mountain goat who climbs the shear cliffs alone secures his own path.

[McGruff]

Russian airports have completely avoided worldwide disruptions - they exclusively use domestic Linux systems and DBMS (database management system) in their work insulating them from Western “communication network failures.”

[rottweiller_inc]

yeah i agree. But the young are enthralled with technology and for some reason trust it, with their money, their future. If fixing a problem would make life harder for the not using the precious, they won’t do it.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

The Win 8 zealots thought everybody wanted a computer to act like a phone. I kept hearing CUA (Converged User Architecture.) Sounded like CYA to me. MS had to allow customers to keep the user interface that made sense. “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” I still hate phones’ user interface for a lot of functions.

[moovova]

They’re flying VFR.

[Paladin2]

“Also have an XP laptop I can’t use. It recognizes the strong internet signal but simply won’t connect. If I have to junk it I’ll suffer separation anxiety, I know.”

Buy it a new solid state hard drive.

Install Linux and then VirtualBox.

Clone the XP drive into a Virtual Machine.

........

Enjoy continued use of the actual machine.

[rottweiller_inc]

i think win 8 was where MS was actually trying to address the problems with windows, after years of ignoring a lot of security issues

[wally_bert]

I keep an XP machine around for a few ancient games that run only on CD.

Never tried to clone XP and not sure how to get the old CD games to run.

Kind of weak in virtual box in a lot of ways.

I have a few distros on a W11 tower that I toy with trying stuff I find on Youtube and Udemy.

[MayflowerMadam]

Thank you. It sounds good the device. But what you wrote is Greek to me.

I actually do have a never-used hard drive a vendor sent me for a different system. Maybe it would work for me.

Well, I’ll think about it and find someone who understands the lingo.

[Persevero]

I know they keep their whole lives on their phone!

I use my phone heavily but everything that is important has a dual entry aspect that is not phone related!!

Also their trust re Alexa and AI and etc is so misplaced. And they should not leave such a thorough digital footprint every time they sneeze.

[109ACS]

Also have an XP laptop I can’t use. It recognizes the strong internet signal but simply won’t connect. If I have to junk it I’ll suffer separation anxiety, I know.


I had an old laptop ready for the landfill, but I installed ChromeOS Flex on it and it now has a new life.

[MayflowerMadam]

Noted. Will try to mess around with it and see what happens. What have I got to lose?

[whistleduck]

Right on. Backup separate operation is the solution. Not that difficult.