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From: rjd@tiger.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: What the world needs now [ is a
Message-ID: <140200001@tiger.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Jun-87 16:45:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: tiger.140200001
Posted: Tue Jun  9 16:45:00 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 20-Jun-87 09:09:22 EDT
References: <1519@phred.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:phred.UUCP:-151900:tiger.UUCP:140200001:000:2309
Nf-From: tiger.UUCP!rjd    Jun  9 15:45:00 1987


>In article <408@rlvd.UUCP>, nbc@rlvd.UUCP (Neil Calton) writes:
>> 
>> Of course this computer should also be impossible to turn off, so that when
>> it 'decides' to launch a missile attack or 'instructs' all the robots in a
>> factory to turn homicidal, everyone just stands around goggled-eyed, panics
>> or tries to sound convincing when they have to explain exactly why they
>> cannot hit the off-switch. Then it really would be like in the movies.
>> 
>
>	We have nearly succeeded in reaching this level of functionality.  The
>AT&T 3B series of Unix machines have NO power switch.  The shutdown mechanisms
>are all software-controlled.  There is a "on/off" switch on the side of the 
>machine, but all it does is invoke the software.  The only way to force it down
>if the software hangs (and it does occasionally) is to go over to the wall
>outlet and pull the plug.  Granted, the idea of using one of these to control
>anything real is pretty silly, but if you apply this approach to larger 
>machines, then make the power connection impossible to get at, voila: instant
>movie scenario!
>
>Kathryn L. Smith		UUCP: ...ll-xn!kathy

   That's interesting, I see power switches all over the 3B5, 3B15, and 3B20's,
(they are on the power supplies and other places WHERE THEY BELONG and are less
likely to be accidentally hit) and sure enough, this 3B2 beside me has a power
switch.
   I guess if you don't see them and the computer starts to take over the world
(the 3B series IS a powerful set of computers, that is true, so maybe this
scenario is not too ludicrous)), you can always yank the plug...   The power
switch in the 3B2 DOES drive an interrupt line which allows the computer to
gracefully turn itself off, but that is so someone won't inadvertantly lose
the stuff in memory when someone hits the switch without warning.  Like I
said, if the power switch is too complicated for them, yank the plug.
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Randy Davis                     		UUCP: ...(ihnp4!)3b2fst!randy
3B2 System Test Engineering
AT&T Oklahoma City Works
All opinions and/or advice stated above are MY OWN, not those of AT&T.
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